Hottest Trends For Fall 2011

Don't think we're doodling in those notebooks we keep out during runway shows—they're filled to the binding with trend notes and observations. And don't think we're flipping through all the fall fashion show images online for sheer pleasure—we're cataloging them, grouping them, and filing them. As for our sleeping schedules? Not important—as long as we've compiled the ultimate list of fall '11 trends that are actually relevant to you. From the color you're going to be stocking up on to new takes on old favorites that'll have you looking at your wardrobe in a whole new way, here are the 2011 fall trends you'll be seeing everywhere very soon.

Leather Skirts 

Designers found a new way to wear the leather skirt, and paired it with casual-chic tops like heather-gray button-ups and sweatshirt-like sweaters.
Rachel Comey, Tommy Hilfiger, Vena Cava, Marc Jacobs

Chic Poncho 

We've been seeing more and more ponchos on the street, and it seemed that designers were paying attention this season, sending out tons of options for all cape and poncho lovers ranging from preppy All-American types to those seeking more of a glammed-out steez.
Alexander Wang, Zero +Maria Cornejo, Karen Walker, Rag & Bone

Tuexdo Dressing 

The white shirt, black bottom, and black neckpiece never looked so femme-fatale as on the fall '11 runways.
Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu, Yigal Azrouel, Ralph Lauren

High Slits 

Dresses may have veered more on the conservative side, but a healthy dose of sexiness was still preserved with hip-grazing slits.
Jenni Kayne, Preen, Altuzara, Jeremy Laing

Graphic Tartan 

Plaids and tartans went big and bold this fall, with designers finding more inspiration from in-your-face rustic weaves than the understated checks of seasons past.
Rag & Bone, Thakoon, Band of Outsiders, Chris Benz

Yves Klien Blue

Designers took a page out of post-WWII artist Yves Klein and painted their collections in the deep, rich blue that the French artist found so inspirational. From flirty skirts to filmy jumpsuits, the color is the one to start stocking your closets with.
3.1 Philip Lim, Thakoon, Karen Walker, Derek Lam

Mid-Calf Skirts 

Hemlines were still long this season, but we're finding more and more to love from the mid-calf lengths than ever before. In cool metallics, graphic mixed prints, and with menswear tailoring, these full-coverage skirts got a whole lot more sexy.
BCBG Maxazria, Proenza Schouler, Narciso Rodriguez, Marc by Marc Jacobs

Graphis Stripes 

From Tron-like athletic stripes to horizontal Hamburglar patterns, the stripes in the fall collections with bold and graphic.
Rag & Bone, Steven Alan, Rag & Bone, DKNY,

Duster Coats

Channel your inner Shaft with coats that reach all the way to the floor. These duster coats look impossibly glam, especially when paired with the textured, filmy separates shown on the runway.
L.A.M.B., Theyskens' Theory, Rodarte, Doo.Ri

Bight Colored Pants

Whether they were cropped, flared, tapered, or high-waisted, the hottest shapes of the season also came in super-saturated hues, perfectly for punching up the clean silhouettes for fall.