Fashion has gone a little tweedy for fall. Those of us who have always loved the whole English country manor thing will no doubt be pleased.  Style conscious women - who otherwise would not be caught dead in tweed - will want to take note of the fact that this fall’s tweeds have been greatly updated.

While you will still find plenty of frumpy tweeds for fox hunting with the hounds, the new breed of trendy tweeds pack a greater fashion punch.  Tweed popped up in Valentino’s fall collection with some bling-embellished jackets and dresses.  Peter Som showed tweed coats in his fall line, one of them in black sparkle for evening.

Photos by Evans Caglage, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008

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Every season has an “it” color, and this fall it’s purple in all shades, from deep wine to yummy aubergine, light lavender to lovely wysteria.  You say you have no dark plum or fetching lilac in your closet? Trust us, think any shade of purple for day dresses, evening gowns, sweaters, blouses and shoes and you’ll fit right in this fall.

The big plus about purple? It’s largely flattering to everyone (unlike last fall’s obsession with orange).

Photos by Evans Caglage, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008

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Perhaps all this recent talk of mavericks has you hankering to channel your inner cowgirl; if that’s the case you may want to check out Pinto Ranch.  You’ll find an extensive assortment of merchandise guaranteed to have you looking - as Tina Fey would say - “mavericky” in no time. 

Photos by Evans Caglage, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008

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Flamboyant fashionistas have long understood the impact of a great hat. Just look at those S&TC London premiere pics of Sarah Jessica Parker in her Philip Treacy cocktail hat. 

Now the rest of us style-obsessed folks may soon come to appreciate this singular accessory. Hats were a prominent feature at many fall 2008 fashion shows.  Designers accessorized their runway looks with an assortment of berets, knit caps, cocktail hats, floppy fedoras, newsboy styles and more. 

Photos by Evans Caglage, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008

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Vests are in a long line of recession-friendly trends this season.

Chances are you probably don’t have one - but when you stop and consider how versatile this piece of clothing is, you’ll be more apt to view it as an investment.  A sharp looking vest this fall will add zip to your wardrobe with relatively little pain at the cash register.

Photos: Carolina Herrera (above left); Original Penguin from Dillard’s (above right); photos by Evans Caglage, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008

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This chilly weather gives you an excuse to buy a new coat. Even if you really don’t need one, it’s hard to resist the urge. Coats this fall are all shapes and styles, bright colors (or black, of course) with cinched waists (or swing style), hip length or longer. Here are 10 we think are fabulous.

1. A bright red Kors Missy trench with a belt at the waist, with a buttoned optional hood. From Chick Downtown, $195.

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It’s time to move beyond those trendy, lightweight, loose, fringed scarves that have been hanging around since summer. It is chilly (or will be soon) and you need a substantial scarf to stay warm. A classic, beautiful scarf that will stand the test of time, that is.

1. Calvin Klein wants to hug your neck, snuggle your chin and warm your ears, with his luscious cashmere logo scarf in blue, brown, camel or gray ($90, above left).

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