Three Runway trends to try NOW

High fashion can be intimidating, but the beauty of the changing season is the opportunity to find inspiration in the runway and adopt the trends as your own.  This season’s variety of textures, colors, patterns and fits offer options for every occasion, so no matter which trend captures your imagination, you’ll be fashion-forward. The best part of fall’s offerings is its accessibility; style up older pieces (like cigarette pants and thermals) with a few key items from this season’s collections and you’ll be on track.

If you struggle editing your outfits, we’ve offered a few don’ts for each trend to help you avoid over-styling, under-styling, and gross misinterpretations. Stay within the boundaries and you’ll be turning heads and seeing Manhattan sidewalks into urban catwalks.

Part I

Inspiration: Charlotte Ronson

Trend: 90s grunge with a 70s twist

Key pieces: slightly oversized, feminine sweaters.

Anything you can layer; shorts, tights, dresses, thermals.

How to get the look: Pair muted, feminine pieces with tough accessories. A long sweater with hole-y tights and lace-up boots; a tight skirt with a leather jacket; a floral dress over a thermal henley. This look is the perfect combination of Kurt Cobain and Joni Mitchell, and leaves room to mix and match pieces to create a signature style.

Beware of taking it too far: Even the tallest, most gorgeous woman is in danger of crossing the line from effortless to sloppy if this look is over-styled. Grunge is one thing, but messy and lazy is another. Yes there were pajama-style pants on the runway this year, but this is not the trend to mix it with. Additionally, there’s a time and a place for ripped boyfriend jeans (like 2009), but this is an element of Cobain’s style to ditch.

Part II

Inspiration: Prabal Gurung

Trend: Monochrome and lace, body-con shapes

Key Pieces: Black tights

Tight, romantic lace dresses

Bold, colorful accessories

How to get the look: Gurung claimed his muse for his fall 2011 collection was Miss Havisham of Great Expectations, so glam up the idea of the literary spinster with lace layers, skinny black pants and sky-high heels. Keep the color to a minimum and opt for a blood-red belt or emerald brooch. Elegance is the name of the game, so intricate, high-quality fabrics paired with classic silhouettes will have onlookers wondering where you stashed Nana’s ruby collection.  We won’t tell if you don’t.

Keep it Classy: Yes, black lace is chic, but pair it wrong and you run the risk of looking like Elvira. Layer see-through patterns over nude or another neutral color and avoid crushed velvet at all costs (which you should be doing anyway). Accessories should be elegant, not Gothic, and keep makeup natural or classic. Keep hair clean and simple; while Helena-Bonham-Carter can pull it off, stay away from messy, over-the-top hair.

Part III

Inspiration: D & G

Trend: Bold colors and prints

Key Pieces: Colorful jacket

patterned pants and tights

tulle mini-skirt

How to get the look: Draw inspiration from the 80s, but leave the costumes for college parties. Axe the leg-warmers and layered plastic beads and instead pair two-toned patterned bottoms with a bold top in a light fabric. D&G’s Fall collection is extremely accessible, pairing colorful pieces with tennis shoes. So dig out those neon Chuck Taylor’s and pair them with a fun cocktail dress. Betsey Johnson had this formula down ages ago, so if you’ve been eyeing her tulle skirts or rhinestone-encrusted monkey earrings, now’s the time to show off your playful side.

Resist the urge: Attention all Rainbow Brights! This is a trend to play with, but carefully edit yourself and ask “Is it too much?” before leaving the house. The best way to avoid looking like an extra from Flashdance: The animated sequel is to avoid chunky fabrics and synthetic materials. The bright colors are one thing, but when that sherbet orange and lime green shows up in a cut-off sweatshirt, you’ve crossed the line between fashionable and trying too hard. Keep the fabrics light, the accessories complimentary, and leave anything knit in a box in the basement.