Best Dresses For Fall 2011

The idea of back-to-school shopping never really leaves our consciousness, even if some of us haven't stepped foot in an academic environment in decades. Sweater dresses, sleeved sheaths, and flowing gowns look even better when layered with fall sweaters and jackets, and now's the time to start filling in the cracks in your cool-weather closet. So, skip the cheat sheets and get ready to take notes—you won't find yourself left behind a grade with this sartorial study-guide. 

Lace Tea-Dresses
Topshop Vintage Lace Dress, $100, available at Topshop
 Miss Selfridge Ochre Lace Dress, $74.22, available at Miss Selfridge;
Jane Norman Lace Skater Dress, $37.11, available at Jane Norman.

Mod
M Missoni '60s Box-Print Dress, $674.85, available at My Wardrobe;
 Lauren Moffatt Pancho & Lefty Dress, $382, available at Lauren Moffatt;
 Peacocks Ladies Funnel Neck Dress, $30, available atPeacocks.

Patterned Maxis
Vanessa Bruno Silk Dress, $1,245, available at Net-a-Porter;
Akira Striped Maxi Tank Dress, $44.90, available at Akira;
 Sara Berman Margo Print Dress, $290, available at The Outnet.

Graphic Stripes
Mango Strapless Dress, $98.80, available at Mango;
Diane von Furstenberg Sleeveless Dress With Stripes, $398, available at My Theresa;
Oasis Chevron Stripe Dress, $17, available at Oasis/

Unconventional Ditzy Prints
Pixie Market Green Shirt Dress, $70, available at Pixie Market;
H&M Lips Print Dress, $21.43, available at H&M;
AllSaints Bleach Python Dress, $295, available at AllSaints.

Military-Inspired Dresses
Reiss Wrap-Front Dress, $300, available at Reiss;
Silverlake Cargo Maxi Dress, $44.99, available atRuche;
Gryphon Trench Dress, $575, available at Shop Nouvelles.