We’re not asking you to feel sorry for us, but it’s not easy to look at collection after collection of beautiful designer clothes without feeling . . .  like shopping. Sure, more than a few of the fall Paris designs are a bit wacky, but there are plenty of beautiful dresses, coats, shoes, boots, etc. to drool over. 

Unfortunately, these items are quite far from our economic reach. So we stamp our fairly high heel and go through one last bit of torment. There are a few of our favorite things from the runways of Paris:

1. We now understand why Balmain is the design house of choice for the very rich, ultra-skinny, edgy party girls around the world. The pointed shoulders, the skin-tight glittering tiny dresses (see them at Style.com), the draped, full harem pants, the brashness of it all. If you can afford it, and you can wear it, go for it.  (more…)

In the aftermath of the fall 2009 runway shows in Paris, we have searched through the rubble and come up with five things worth looking at again:       

1. Thigh-high boots. They’re everywhere, they’re black, they’re brown, they’re laced, they’re skin tight and there’s something amazingly sexy about them. Sometimes they look like leather leggings. Putting them on could be a little tricky. How many times have you struggled with a regular pair of tight boots? We loved them from Stella McCartney (and they’re not even leather!), Chloe, Hermes and Vuitton.   

2. This Balenciaga outfit — a shimmering crystal top and a soft, draped and pleated satin skirt. In case you didn’t know, Nicholas Ghesquiere’s designs are hot, and this is the signature look from the fall show. We love the soft, perfectly draped-at-the-hip rich satin skirt, and that shirt is a crystal-laden killer. Unfortunately, we’ve heard the top alone will cost more than $50,000. So we probably won’t be wearing that one this autumn.  (more…)

The Style Insider could stand to gain from a few fashion resolutions. Despite our sage advice for you, we’re as bad as everyone about adding new wardrobe items, getting rid of things we’ll never wear, ‘fessing up to what fits and what doesn’t, what looks good and what doesn’t.  

Thus, our collective brain trust has come up with 10 resolutions for 2009. Perhaps some apply to you: 

1. Act as if we are French. The French have it nailed when it comes to wardrobe and style. So we will proceed with a red beret and perfectly tailored clothes. A

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Jupiter must be aligning with Mars, or some other celestial event is taking place, because there are more celebrities than ever coming out with their own fashion lines, or stepping up to become spokespeople for fashion houses. Here are just a few of the latest:

Heroes star Hayden Panettiere is designing a second handbag for Dooney & Bourke. Not only is the actress their spokesmodel, but now she’s created the “Hayden Clutch”  (with a little help from Peter Dooney) that will be sold starting in December for $295, say the enterprising Off the Rack bloggers at People.com. The clutch (pictured above with Panettiere) features a lion’s head gold clasp because that’s Hayden’s astrological sign.

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There’s a lot of grumbling out there about the Apple 3G iPhone that came out in July. It seems that calls are dropping, like rocks. They’re blaming it on a German-made chip in the phone, and Apple is promising a software fix will be on iTunes soon.

On top of the irritation at lost connectivity, Apple has sold so many of them, they’re not so special any more. Everybody seems to have one.

So now how do you elevate yourself above the masses? Pop a fascinating case or cover over it, of course.

You can go the basic route with leather or silicone skins,  or get one in a snazzy color for $25 (above left). Since you were aiming for a high tech look, the Invisible Shield by Zagg ($25) is made of a thin polyurethane film created by the military for helicopter blades.

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You’ve admired the athleticism, strength and grace of the Olympic women (or should we say “girl”) gymnasts.

You’ve studied their shiny uniforms. And admit it, you just love their cute and glittery makeup and hair. They all have the same ‘do: tight ponytail topped with a scrunchie, and ubiquitous clippies of all shapes and sizes to tuck away errant tendrils.  

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