fashion; you can't live with it, you can't live without it.

as you probably know, NY Fashion week is going on as you read in Bryant Park. The collections can tell us lots of interesting things in the realm of forecasting trends- sadly, however, they are telling about the SPRING trends!

meh. its not even winter yet! i love fashion and seeing what all the various houses are putting out, but i still haven't taken out my sweaters from winter storage.

in the spirit of practicality, lets discuss essential pieces for your winter wardrobe, rather than your spring one. luckily, this season is all about smart layering and various tricks with size and proportions- with mostly superbly flattering cuts. here are a few tips to get you by in the colder months:

1) In the spirit of Chloe, layer layer layer dresses over tshirts

2) Do like Alexandre Herchcovitch and do the wide belt. (hint: its especially great to cinch a volumonous top and create the illusion of a great figure)

3) Take a hint from Anna Sui and rock the 60s vibe with colored or patterened tights, a cinced shift dress, and awesome patterns

4) Like Marc Jacobs, emphesize comfortable layers. To tone down his look, have a 3 layer maximum limit and avoid overly bulky pieces. (hint: this is where a great sweater dress might fit in. wear an interesting cami, sweaterdress, and patterned leggings)

5) Listen to Betsey Johnson and play with a toned down 80s look- forget the shoulder pads, but emphesize knits, off the shoulder pieces, and leggings. Don't be afraid to play with color!

6) Hone in on Luca Luca and wear neutral colors with interesting twists. An unexpected bow or ruffle more than makes up for the bland color. Also, don't be afraid to experiment with faux leather.

And, your most important winter accessory: SPF! no- its not the name of the new "it" bag. while some of us tend to be vigilant about our skin in the summer, it is often in the colder months that we get the most sun damage. The sun still shines if its cold! Use at least SPF 15 to keep gross age spots away. You can get them as early as 19, so beware.

and to satisfy your craving for the warmer months, i'll leave you with this image:

when you think you can't deal with another chilly morning, just remember what is in store for you for spring.