Blame it on Elvis. He made jumpsuits stylish in the ’60s and ‘70. Of course, technicians and laborers (not to mention prisoners) wear them still. In the past, designers have dabbled with the jumpsuit idea, but they never fully commit. Spring 2009 may change that. Jumpsuits (and rompers) were all over the runways at the recent New York shows. It’s as if the fashion elite all jumped on a conference call and said: “Hey, let’s all make jumpsuits!”

Thanks to the skilled eyes at WWD, and the thorough runway coverage of Style.com, we’ve found some examples of the jumpsuit parade. Some looked pretty, sleek and elongating, like a black one by Ralph Lauren (pictured right), a shiny white one from Proenza Schouler or a draped gold satin one by Diane von Furstenberg (pictured left). The drape of a pale taupe one-piece from Derek Lam and a fabulous Halston take on the style looked wonderful (maybe because with all the draping and looseness, you couldn’t really tell they were jumpsuits). (more…)

New York’s Fashion Week is going full steam under the Bryant Park tents, with more than 250 runway shows planned (there and in other scattered locations around the city). The shows of styles for spring 2009 started Friday, they begin every hour from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., they almost always start late, everybody pretends not to look at celebrities and pundits are wondering what the top American designers will trot out in such touchy economic times.

A few well-knowns have already shown their stuff, including Nicole Miller (pictured), DKNY (who is celebrating 20 years next spring), Herve Leger by Max Azria (can those bandage wrap dresses get any tighter?), and Diane von Furstenberg (who was inspired by Diana Vreeland for spring).

Today some of the heavy hitters emerge: Carolina Herrera, Isaac Mizrahi, Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs. If you really want all the details on every show, you’ll need a subscription to WWD. If you want to know, but not shell out the dough, you can find slideshows and details from The New York Times (don’t miss Cathy Horyn’s daily blog - she’s a snappy writer and she’s great at spotting stars and trends), Style.com (the online iteration of Vogue), InStyle.com (with live coverage all week) and the Glam fashion bloggers.

The official Web page of the shows has information, as does Fashion Week Daily (they’ve got video). Other fun sites and blogs to watch include TeamSugar, New York Magazine, and who knows which bloggers (ShinyStyle is there and a fun read).

You’re in the mall. You’re on the Web. You’re attempting to decipher the completely mixed fashion messages in the fall collections: Clothes are black and white, unless they’re grey; trends are sleek and minimalist, except when layered and chunky; silhouettes are classic, except when ragged and asymmetrical.

We hear, we know, we understand. We can make sense of it. Breathe, order a latte and get comfortable as we list scene-stealers for your closet this fall. Want all the details? Read our whole story.

Here’s a quick summary:

1. On the A-List: the waist: Start those sit-ups. Cinched waists are back, accentuated with wide belts.

2. Outrageous lengths: from very short to very long, but don’t stay in between.

3. Mixed messages: Don’t be shy with this trend, mix plaids with florals, fur with feathers, slick with bulky.

4. Over our heads: The season’s most forgiving style - big, bulky, oversized sweaters.

5. Open up the vault: OK, perhaps you don’t have lots of jewels, but jewel-toned evening dresses are in and shining.

6. Plaiditudes: Anything, everything is plaid. Scarves, dresses, coats, sweaters, skirts, anything!

7. Going long: Of course long, leggy models look good in body skimming long pants and dresses, but opt for a monochromatic look and you can be Giselle Bundchen of your neighborhood.

8. Showing our bias: This may be a one-season wonder, but skirts and dresses are showing a lot of angled attitude in their hemlines.

9: Gam chic: Show off those legs with over the knee boots in varied fabrics and hues.

10: Coats to cuddle in: Look like you stole your husband’s, boyfriend’s or dad’s big wool overcoat and you’ll be right in style.

Want all the details. Read our whole story.

Designers are mad for buffalo plaid, a broad checkered plaid pattern, usually of two colors. The look, dubbed lumberjack chic, is everywhere, thanks to the cable TV hit Gossip Girl, and will be hot this fall. To get a look at plaid from the fall runway shows, check out this gallery and commentary at Clothes Line Finds. Start by adding a few plaid pieces to your wardrobe, like this gauze scarf ($20) you can wear now or this bag with lime trim that will take you into fall ($79). Plaid is tops in tops, such as this silk babydoll blouse ($266) with a square neckline and puff sleeves or this sleeveless Marc by Marc Jacobs sweater (on sale for $160). This swing jacket with three-quarter sleeves, raw edge details and faux flap pockets has vintage charm ($29.50). When it gets colder, wrap yourself up in this Guess hooded plaid coat with faux patent leather toggles ($178). Can’t get much more plaid than this quintessentially lumberjack red and black vest (pictured) with a shawl-like collar and matching tie belt ($259). Take it down a notch with this black jacket with plaid peaking out from under an extended hem ($42.50) . The plaid pièce de résistance is the pencil skirt, such as this high-end Michael Kors version ($895). Kick it up a few inches with this Juicy Couture skirt ($298) topped off with a puffy shirt. Or go for the affordable, already pulled-together plaid look with this sleek dress by Rampage, complete with belt and ruffled top ($58).

Despite our best efforts, it’s not always possible to plunk down a big chunk of change on a new pair of kicks. These days, we’re all about transforming what’s already in our closets, and shoe clips can do just that for your favorite pair of heels. Erica Wiener Jewelry’s clips are bona fide vintage. Weiner purchased different styles manufactured in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. Choose from 11 pairs of clips at a bargain $25 (versus upwards of $80 for a pair of Nine West pumps). Have a boring pair of black heels? Clip the red patent leather bows to the front or back and voila, a new look. The blue grosgrain rosettes could easily be paired with your favorite silver, gold or white flats. Material Pleasures goes back even farther, with a selection of vintage Victorian shoe clips like these intricate cut-steel ovals from France ($40). Absolutely Audrey carries new clips, along with vintage styles. Glitter up those pumps with the Jackie rhinestone bows ($30) or the Paris clips in ruby, amber or clear ($30). Brides can add something new from Absolutely Audrey’s bridal collection, such as the demurely elegant Maxine pearl clips ($35; pictured). Shoeworthy also has some wonderful little gems ($20 or $22.50 per pair).

We women have a little secret for staying freshed and attractive during a trip: the makeup case/travel bag. British accessories designer Zoe Phayre-Mudge counts actresses Minnie Driver and Dame Helen Mirren among her fans. Her ZPM Zinnia make-up roll has four pockets and is small enough to slip into your purse ($41.50). The ZPM Leopard Day Tripper ($47) is larger, with a clear pouch for lotions, hairbrushes and clips and a smaller clear zippered pocket for items like hairpins and eyeshadows. Makeup artists and celebrities often use train cases for their cosmetics. The Solia train case from Folica is a rich red color and has tiered metal fold-out trays; it comes in three sizes: the Jet-Setter ($60; pictured), Can’t Makeup Your Mind ($70) and Tote-L Diva ($90). For the sleek look of aluminum, try the industrial-size aluminum Metro train case ($90), which has four tiers of trays and an adjustable shoulder strap, or the aluminum train case in either black ($50) or silver ($56) with reinforced steel corners and plastic-lined trays. If you’re on a budget, the simplest approach might be to zip up those crucial toiletries in several clear Sephora makeup bags ($4 each). But if you need a purse-sized cosmetics case for that black-tie event or red-carpet appearance, go for the small Greta Glitter Bag ($28) from Stephanie Johnson’s Sunset Boulevard.

It started with the latest e-mail from CB2 with this photo of a bedroom with the words “so boho” to describe it. I liked the room, so I decided to investigate other boho furnishings and home décor to see what the term actually means from a visual standpoint. The original Bohemians were travelers or refugees from central Europe; the French word bohémien means “gypsy.” DMI India describes boho as “a fashion look with fringing, patchwork, homespun and raw-edged fabrics, paisley and floral prints, embroidery, tassels, studding, tooled leather.” The lovely Women of Hope sandstone statue ($78) and tropical bamboo lounge chair ($74), both from Ten Thousand Villages, qualify as boho décor. So does the Tommy Hilfiger Bohemian Luxe bedding collection at Boscovs, which features a symphony of ruffles, paisley and stripes in fanciful designs. To see enough boho items to fill a room, visit Polyvore. I couldn’t find the featured ruby metallic vases at the U.K. Store The Pier, but I’m pretty sure this autumn gold vase ($138) and small bowl ($50) and this amber Sundance mosaic vase ($40) are equally boho in character. Both would look perfect with the Sofagarden’s Moroccan sunburst pillow in maroon and gold brocade ($100). I’m not so sure about this boho iron bed ($1,800 to $2,100) at Sundance, but what do I know? Described as a “bohemian rhapsody that evokes a fortuitous attic find,” the bed might pass with the right items piled up around it.