bizMe

Runway trends favor the simple and the embellished, the fitted and the flared. Translating the high-fashion look to your everyday wardrobe is as easy as picking your favorite looks, doing a little research, and putting the trends together to fashion your best fall.

The hottest looks in outerwear range from traditional trenches to glittering swing jackets. The trenches hold more secrets than the private eyes who made them famous and the more glittery fare command a simpler presence than their sequins, jewels and metallic fabrics first reveal. The secrets of how to score the hottest looks? They’re all right here.

Talkative Trenches

Jean Paul Gaultier’s fall show boasts among many fineries, a gorgeous wool-gabardine trench. The front of the coat presents an exquisitely made wardrobe staple ” and a gigantic price tag to match ($2,995 at fine department stores or eLUXURY.com). The splendid back view reveals the secret behind the seams”  a big bow and a gloriously gathered back. It’s the subtle but sizeable feminine flourishes on a traditionally masculine piece that make this fall’s outerwear a welcome kind of different.

You’ll find a more reasonably priced trench (thank God) at Ann Taylor Loft. For a similar look, try on the Black/White Wool Topper ($159). The checkered weave and one-of-a-kind centered button accent this amazing fall staple. The menswear-inspired look and sassy black and white pattern showcase even more popular fall trends and produce a tailored look when worn over some of the season’s biggest dress trends, like the sweater dress or the mod dress.

The trench coat is a classic outerwear must-have. This one’s updated with sporty quilting and knockout color. Quilted Trench Coat in Rhubarb, $168 at Talbots

Subtle Sparkle

Want a fall look that really glows? If your jacket is jeweled, sparkly or swimming in sequins, it’s hot for fall ‘07. For those of us who live for the glamour presented by glitzy fashions, we’re in luck. For women who favor a more demure and quietly powerful style, this trend holds something for you too.

Sure to make a splash in any office, the Metallic Blue Brocade Jacket with Silver Sequined Neckline by Marc Jacobs provides some eye-catching shimmer with its luxurious fabric and dramatic jeweled embellishments. Its price tag is also noteworthy at a whopping $695.95 at Designer Exposure.

You can find similar styles at T.J.Maxx for about $40. When scanning the racks, look for anything in silver, gold, copper or champagne tones with jeweled, studded, or beaded embellishments and you have this look all wrapped up.

Radiant Wraps

The fall shows not only reveal a new way to look at traditional outerwear staples, but they also present a host of new silhouettes. Wrap, swing, and belted coats are the perfect way to look hot in cool weather. BCBGMaxAzria is showing a beautiful and unique black and white sweater wrap.

Made from a luxurious blend of lambswool and cashmere, the mod-shaped cardigan has kimono sleeves, front patch pockets and front-tie detail (a big trend for fall). This warming frock may run you $258, but you can find a more reasonable look-alike at Anthropologie. To make this look yours, try their Basketweave Cardigan ($148).

Perfect for a fall day when paired with a shimmering, side-swept scarf or a mid-winter day in the warmer parts of the country, this sweater-style jacket is an essential for every woman’s fall wardrobe. It layers easily over some of the season’s looser looks and adds flair when worn over jeans for a day shopping with girlfriends.

A sweater jacket is the perfect outerwear alternative for warmer-weather climates or fall’s first crisp. Merino Paley Jacket in Honey Glaze, $148 at J. Crew

Cropped Tops

Your girlfriends may like shopping, but they love looking good even more. Nothing makes you feel more like a girl than dainty box pleats, cinched waists, and tiny, waist-enhancing jackets.

This fall, Burberry is showing gorgeously girly abbreviated jackets (short in both sleeves and all-over length). The cutesy Beanley Jacket in Dove boasts a banded collar, double-breasted button front, three-quarter elbow sleeves, and a price tag of $950. Stop by Neiman Marcus and help the endlessly elegant, Dallas-based fashion paradise celebrate their 100th birthday as you gaze at this and many other dreamy ensembles.

Back in reasonably priced reality, you can score equally enchanting pieces for not so much dough. Isaac Mizrahi for Target is offering a similar number for a refreshing $49.99. The TRS Box Pleated Jacket in Ebony is a solid way to show your totally of-the-moment style on a closely monitored budget.

Look for box pleats, high-buttoned fronts and little bits of panache to make this style yours. Interesting collars are also key. (Think: more “Peter Pan” and less “poet” ). Many designers are showing dainty banded collars or completely collarless coats. Check out Banana Republica’s subtly cinched Wool-Blend Collarless Coat for inspiration.

Make a style statement by choosing a coat with feminine shaping and embellishments. Wool-Blend Collarless Coat in British Green, $218 at Banana Republic

Artful Accents

All that remains is adding personal punch and signature style to these fabulous outerwear looks. How’s a girl to complete the look? It’s all in the details.

Belt It Out —Vintage-Style

You can tie up any coat with a variety of oh-so-now belt styles. If your jacket doesn’t come with an attached belt, this is your chance to totally personalize your look with a big, black leather sash or a teeny tiny red satin ribbon.

A beautiful belt adds instant wow-factor to fall jackets, dresses and shirts. Wrap Belt in Blueberry, Pomegranate or Black, $38 at Talbots

For these styles and a plethora of more unique looks, consider vintage. To find a fabulous and fun vintage boutique near you, surf to www.citysearch.com, plug in “vintage shops” in the “find” box and then fill in your city and state. Local, reputable shops should populate. Also try www.yelp.com for reviews from fellow fashionistas.

Celebrate Shoes: Grays & Blues

For color this season, you can’t go wrong with the many shades of gray. From jackets to suits to adorably adorned ballet flats, gray is definitely this season’s most valuable hue, and the many blue tones are not far behind. Jeweled ballet flats like the “Alexa” by Jessica Simpson come in a pewter metallic shade and scream “foot candy!”

Peep-toe is the way to go — especially in shades of gray. Jessica Simpson “Alexa,” $68.95 at Shoebuy.com

Shoe sensationalists are also sporting fall’s biggest boot trend — the bootie. Try the “Crucial” style by daniblack, available at Piperlime for $175. For a more reasonable facsimile, try the “Ego” by Rampage on for size ($60, also available at Piperlime).

Update Your Makeup

Top off your fall outerwear with eye shadows in cool blue and gray tones. Try Mac’s “Cumulus” eye shadow ($14) and this season’s “it” color nail polish shade by OPI.
Last year’s deep plum “Lincoln Park after Dark” is replaced by the devastatingly chic “Russian Navy” ($7-8 at Amazon.com or your local nail salon). You can always nail a complete fall look with a good manicure.

Fall polish is mod but still sophisticated. OPI Nail Lacquer in “Russian Navy”

Every bizMe girl knows, outerwear is just a shell — it’s more how you play it than what you’re sporting — but a good coat never hurt anyone!