To find out what you really must stock your Fall wardrobe with this season, we podcasted from Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC with Michael Fink, Vice President & Women's Fashion Director of Saks and Avril Graham, Executive Fashion & Beauty Editor at Harper's Bazaar. Mastercard is sponsoring Bazaar's 30 Days of Fashion (which even includes yours truly!) - a treasure trove of daily giveaways, tips and treats throughout the month of September.   And Michael's insider dish and fall fashion must-haves are but a click away at Saks.com.  Check out the podcast to get the expert scoop and advice on fall fashion, where to splurge, where to scrimp...and why you need some "textile snobbiness" in your life this season.

Click Here for the FASHIONTRIBES FALL 2009 FASHION TRENDS WITH MICHAEL FINK & AVRIL GRAHAM.mp3

A TAILORED DRESS "There is a return to tailoring and sophistication this season. A tailored dress is the basepoint of every woman's wardrobe this season," explains Michael about fall's ladylike, Jackie Kennedy shift-dress silhouette. "The great thing about a tailored sheath dress is that it can give your wardrobe personality. It's the thing you can build around," agrees Avril. "You can buy an amazing shoe or bootie that is really the season's must-have accessory - whether the boot has studs, fringe, super high-heels, platforms, or a slightly pointed toe - and you'll know that it's going to work with that basic fabulous tailored sheath." (Try: Oscar de la Renta's tweed shift )

MASSIVE NECKLACES "Something we haven't seen for quite a while are these big, bold necklaces that came down all the runways. It's such an easy item to translate into any woman's wardrobe," says Michael. Get something really big, inventive, colored stones, crystals, big architectural pieces and that will just pep up anything you already have in the closet." Both agree that whether you're rocking vintage or something new, it's the single statement piece that will modernize everything in your closet - even a classic white shirt. "It's really a wonderful way to make a statement for day or evening. It's an easy asset for anyone." (Missoni stone-embellished necklace)

TOP-HANDLED BAG If your budget means you can only buy one thing this season, Avril advises replacing your slouchy-pouchy hobo with a ladylike top-handled bag in a yummy fall tone of aubergine, putty, camel, dark green, or chocolate. "Whether your budget is $55 or $55,000, pick a top-handled bag and know that you've got an on-trend must-have." And if you just can't break your black bag habit, then at least opt for one with some sex appeal - be it studs, lace, or visual interest. "But even with black, look for shine, a crackled finish, or some hardware that really lifts the black up," adds Michael, "so it's not just black anymore, it has some character to it." (Chloe Cyndi bag)

BANGIN' BOOTIES "Whether it's the shoe bootie, the scrunchy boot, a mid-calf, or an over-the-knee boot, we think the boot is the most important shoe of the season," says Michael. "We love them with high heels, stilettos, stacked heels, flat...we love them all. It's really about a boot wardrobe this season. And it looks fantastic with every single item in your closet." (Rupert Sanderson Kit Kat shoe-boot)

A SENSATIONAL SHIRT No longer just for secretaries or 80s working girl throwbacks, the bow-neck shirt is a pretty way to freshen up for fall - provided you proceed with a healthy dose of fashion-forward. "If you're wearing a bow shirt, it shouldn't be too conservative. You don't want to look like Margaret Thatcher," warns Avril. To avoid looking like you're running for office, try a feminine and pretty version with non-boho ruffles (a la Madonna), and look to designers like Thakoon and Phillip Lim who create some of the best versions, especially paired with an edgy boot or accessory. And don't forget the right attitude "It works best with a downtown edge because you don't want to look precious," notes Michael. "You want to look like get outta my way!"(Roberto Cavalli flower print blouse)

...AND FOR FASHIONABLE FELLAS Make friends with the pattern of the season for men. "Plaid anything," says Michael, "whether it's a plaid shirt, a plaid sportcoat, or a plaid suit. But keep it small and sophisticated, because you don't want to look a clown or you're out golfing."  Try wearing your new plaid shirt under a suit, which promises to "put you light years ahead of everyone in your office." Another fun is a vest. "A lot of young guys are wearing a vest as a jacket. But try a separate vest - you don't want to wear a matchy vest with your suit."  Lastly, bring your puffer to work. "That puffy vest that's normally reserved for weekends? Layer that over your suit on your way to work. It's right off the runway, it's really practical, and it's easy. It's kind of like you made a mistake, but it looks really good." (Try: a plaid cotton buttondown from Etro)

SHOES & LBD As his fave splurge, shoes are at the top of Michael's list. "There is so much inherent value in a well-made shoe. You're going to have it for quite a while, and even when you get tired of it, it goes in the back of the closet, but sure enough, it comes back. That's my favorite splurge of any season." And even though he is a self-described "freak" for color, he advises hunting down the perfect LBD. "If you need to invest in a little black dress, this is the season to do it. With the tailoring that's going on and all the classic silhouettes, this is the time to pick up your replacement little black dress. It's the perfect season for that, and available at any pricepoint."

TAILORED FIT With whatever tailored piece you add to your wardrobe, Avril advises thinking of it as an investment. "That tailored piece should look really, really good on. That's where to think about spending your money, to have that piece you know is going to be in your wardrobe 10 years hence. Your shoes will change, your bags will change, but if you've got something that's got that longevity, I think that's worth the splurge to make sure that it's cut just right, just perfectly." (3.1 Phillip Lim lace patch dress)

STATEMENT NECKLACES For finery on a budget, look no further than grandma's closet or perhaps a tag sale. "If you have to tweak a little on the budget, that's the place to do it. Look for vintage for your statement necklace to find something unique that no one else has. It's all about costume."

BABYDOLLS If it's too voluminous, it needs to go. "If you are still wearing babydoll tops or A-line dresses, put them in the back of the closet! Those need to go away for a while because we really are celebrating the natural shape of the body, curves and all, with a longer, leaner more tailored silhouette."

MAXI LENGTH DRESSES Fabulous in flowy fabrics, they don't work in a knit or heavy fabric...so please, just don't.

BIG PANTS While it's a great season for trousers, not all pants need apply. "No-no moments include a very flared pant, as well as a bootcut pant," says Avril, giving cigarette pants the green light, as well as, yes - pleats. "It hearkens back to the 80s, but it's actually kind of a yes, in particular the Yves Saint Laurent pant with a tiny peg and a slightly shorter length that skims the top of a bootie." And what of the unusually proportioned Marc Jacobs pant? In addition to getting the accessories exactly right and cut of the jacket (cropped, not long), if you're in a conservative profession, are curvy or perhaps height-challenged, give this trend a miss. "It doesn't hide, it emphasizes. You need the right figure to pull it off - it can look immensely chic if you're tall, but otherwise has a bit of a sloppy quality." (Marc Jacobs velvet jumpsuit)

FAB FLORALS, NOT PAINTERLY PRINTS "The painterly splashes we saw were very much the print of the season, but obviously that's a summer look, so put that back in the wardrobe," says Avril, and switch them out for a lighter, more natural floral a la Michael Kors. "Florals for winter turned out to be one of our favorites," agrees Michael, "but what makes them look relevant to the [colder] weather are a dark background with a more realistic print that's smaller in scale as compared with spring's florals which were totally oversized, exploded, and very two-dimensional." For the best result, look for high quality, home decor like fabrics with a romantic, rather than vintagey, feel - a quality he dubs textile snobby.

- Lesley Scott

(Oscar de la Renta runway photo via style.com)

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While they and their LBDs are chic and small, the pricetags for Leighton Meester's and Nicole Richie's ensembles are anything but. But who's the biggest spender? Test your shopping savvy and play MyStyle's fun Who Broke the Bank? game.

- Lesley Scott

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For its 150+ year history, the chi chi jewelry house has catered to royals and fashionistas alike, combining artistry, superb quality, and French chic. A new, soon-to-be released book catalogs 175 of Cartier's benchmark pieces, showing the bling at actual size - many of the photos previously unpublished - as well as illustrations and detailed descriptions from Cartier’s vast archives in London, New York, and Paris.

Six essays cover a broad range of topics from Cartier’s colorful history, including the influence of the Ballets Russes on Cartier's forward-looking designs of 1910, technical prowess, and important clients and collectors.

Cartier: Innovation Through the 20th Century is available for pre-order at Amazon.com for an October 7th release.

- Lesley Scott

(photo credits - TOP left to right: special-order Cartier Paris necklace 1928; Cartier Paris brooch 1909; Scroll tiara Cartier Paris 1910; Stomacher brooch Cartier Paris special order 1907; BOTTOM left to right: Orchid broch Cartier Paris special-order 1937; Chimera bangle Cartier Paris 1928; special-order Cartier Paris ring 1949; Tutti Frutti strap bracelet special-order Cartier New York 1928. All photos by Nick Welsh from Collection Cartier - copyright Cartier - from Cartier: Innovation through the 20th Century, Paris: Flammarion, 2007)

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Michelle rules the fashion roost in Thakoon's Radzimir kimono dress from pre-spring 2009, paired with fab brooches from Erickson Beamon

Now that Michelle Obama chose to wear a super-chic, on-trend frock from fashion insider fave Thakoon (!) to her husband's nomination at the Democratic National Convention, we have a hopeless fashionista crush on her (almost as die-hard as our Carine Roitfeld fixation).

While ladylike and appropriate, the chic and fresh floral print broke ranks with the usual snoozeworthy garb chosen by spouses helping husbands ahead in politics...such as this perfectly bland and boring Kay Unger ensemble (down to the Nancy Reagan red jacket) chosen by Joe Biden's wife Jill.  She's lovely, but her style...not so much.

Instead, we're thrilled at the possibility of having a new stylish "O" in the White House that would have done Jackie proud.

- Lesley Scott

(photos: top 3 - zimbio.com; bottom - fashionweekdaily.com)

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A sneak peek at Spring 2009 fashion inspiration; how to build a classic shoe wardrobe; choosing a designer bag; what 10 pieces no self respecting wardrobe should be without; fall's fabulous toppers, and oh so much more in this week's WebSnob roundup of the hottest fashion, beauty and gossip blog posts:

FabSugar's got the trend alert on heavy metal
Coquette says to get ready for chic lady-like hats for fall
Debutante Clothing ponders vintage influence and blatant copies on the runway
Fashiontribes has a sneak peak at the inspiration behind some of the upcoming Spring 2009 collections
Quinta Trends introduces you to an Argentine design window from London: Ans Latin Designs
The Shoe Goddess goes back to the basics with a series on building a shoe wardrobe. First on our list: a classic black pump

FASHION NEWS & NOTES:

If you're a recent college grad (or just need a wardrobe refresher course), Omiru has the Top 10 foundation pieces every woman needs
Stylehive interviews the latest Project Runway castoff who says he just wasn't inspired anymore
StyleBakery.com has the scoop on Fall's Top 10 Trends including over 200 must-buys for every budget
Second City Style - As summer fades to black one can easily stay seasonally correct...here's how
Fashion, Evolved admires the style and sustainability of English Retreads handbags and accessories
Stylenotes observes that the '90s style is back in a big way -- get the look via plaid shirts, boyfriend jeans, and roomy cardigans

Allie is Wired says Solange isn't nearly as classy as sis Beyonce
ShoppingandInfo.com wants to tell you what Leighton Meister, Katie Holmes, and Miley Cyrus are wearing from Missoni
Stiletto Jungle shows where to find Reese Witherspoon's super trendy cropped boyfriend jeans

BagBliss talks about choosing a classic designer handbag
Bag Snob gets flashy with Nancy Gonzalez Flat Croc Clutches
David Hall Hodges crocodile designs - Kristopher Dukes

BEAUTY BOOTY:

Ladybrille's Celeb Makeup Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis offers hot makeup tips to keep you looking sexy
A Few Goody Gumdrops asks is your neck in check?
Beauty Snob doesn't leave home without Chantecaille Just Skin
The Beauty Stop has 5 quick ways to eliminate dark circles

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In the latest installment of The Rachel Zoe Project, she visits the fabulous mecca of vintage in L.A., Decades, and engages in mindbogglingly fabulous shopping: a gorgeous vintage Balmain red carpet dress, a Chanel necklace, and a chocolate brown Birkin...and provides possibly the best argument ever, should you find yourself trying to justify a splurge, or perhaps, your third Birkin:

Rachel's assistant (and voice of reason) Taylor: Roger (Zoe's husband/business manager) is going say you don't need a third Birkin bag.
Rachel Zoe: But I collect them!
Taylor: You collect art...you don't collect Birkins.
Rachel: But to me, they're art!

Be sure to check it out at BravoTV.com.

- Lesley Scott

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If you've ever felt your life just a tad too vanilla or lacking in spicy extras, be sure to pick up some cherry-themed extras from MAC's limited edition Cult of Cherry which launches in the first week of September.  Unlike regular makeup launches, this one comes with a fun tongue-in-cheek "reality" show video. "We began with the idea of a woman who lives in a white world and suddenly she feels it is lacking sensuality and wants to break free from its monotony," James Gager explained to WWD. (A huge fan of reality shows like Top Chef, Dancing with the Stars and Project Runway...he also happens to be senior vice president and creative director of MAC Worldwide.)  "She craves color, dimension and flavor, so she goes to the experts to help make over every aspect of her life from beauty, fashion, interior decorating and cooking."

MAC collaborated on the project with Gourmet editor Maggie Ruggiero, fashion designer Erin Fetherston, and stylist Jeffrey Miller - with the inspiration provided by the lush and earthy fall fashion palette. "Jennifer [Balbier, senior vice president of product development] and I were seeing deep reds and dark browns on the runways, so we came up with a collection based on chocolate and cherries." Says Balbier: "The whole idea of Cult of Cherry from a product development point of view was to have these dark, sensuous lips, juxtaposed with a smoky eye, punctuated with this acid chartreuse color. When James and I were backstage, we saw a return of this beautiful chartreuse. So I tried to create a color with a satin finish, little pearl, with a tremendous color payoff."

The Cult of Cherry video features the white-clad woman wandering aimlessly around her all-white abode (even her books and cat are white). Suddenly, she decides to call Miller (on her white phone) for a color intervention, which transforms the room into a rich brown and white stripe motif. Fetherston then whips her up a custom couture cherry-print dress, while Ruggiero bakes her a luscious cherry pie, dubbing it "a bite size bit of danger...but it's so delicious". "The whole concept James developed worked perfectly with this look: an edible, pleasurable concept," notes Balbier. "The look embodies a girl who is slightly Goth punk, but with a sophisticated edge. She's both sweet and shocking at the same time."

Check out the video at MacCosmetics.com and be sure to up your own colorful cherry-quotient with one of the 5 lipsticks, 5 Lipglasses, 4 Mattene lip colors, 2 blushes, 2 nail polishes, 3 eye shadow quads, or a mascara. (via WWD)

- Lesley Scott

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Fashion & Beauty PR firm Pierce Mattie recently put their prescient powers of knowing what's going to be hot (or not) to good use with their new Haute List. These are the fashion, beauty & lifestyle brands you'll want to keep on eye on to stay ahead of the trends:

WOMEN:

Topshop
Valentino under Alessandra Fachinetti
Rodarte

MEN:

Pastelle (by Kanye West)
RMC Martin Ksohoh
ANAMA

INDIE MAGS:

Visionaire
Metro.Pop
VMAN

FOREIGN MAGS:

Company (UK)
Jessica (Hong Kong)
Trendi (Finland)

JEWELRY:

John Hardy
Alexis Bittar
Trollbeads

BAGS:

Rebecca Minkoff
Foley+Corinna
Timi & Leslie (for chic new moms)

SKINCARE:

Korner
Lavera (all natural & organic)
Kaeline Argatherapie

MAKEUP:

e.l.f.
Colorescience
Classified Cosmetics

DERMAL FILLERS:

Restylane
Evolence
Elevess

HAIR:

Re:nu by Joico
bain de terre
Intelligent Nutrients

NAILS:

Butter LONDON
Dr. Remedy Nails
Borghese Nail Care

FITNESS:

Mixed Martial Arts
Triathalon Training
Boxing

COCKTAILS:

Bourbon
Fruit Martinis (Pomegranate, Apple, Lychee, etc.)
Mojito

TV SHOWS:

90210
Kath & Kim
Gossip Girl

VACAY SPOTS:

Panama
Costa Rica
Staycations (finding a hot spot closer to home)

SOCIAL MEDIA SITES:

LinkedIn
Ning
Ustream

- Lesley Scott

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(images: Fashion Brands - The Stiletto Effect; Rodarte runway shot - style.com; glamorous Botox - spafinder.com; headset - socialdna.com)

For Spring 2009, Tracy Reese was captivated by the ethereal progression of nature as the seasons change, with pastel prints inspired by Japanese art with chrysanthemums and hazy blue skies, and structured leather softened with touches of leaf appliqué.  Relaxed and draped silhouettes feature a sumptuous green garden of Van Gogh-inspired prints, while Summer comes full circle with architectural shapes and defined prints of sleek stripes and laser cut lace.

While at Ports 1961, Tia Ciabani looked north for inspiration to Canadian artist Emily Carr.

Carr's expressionist paintings, totem poles, and other artifacts represent the British Columbian rainforest and stem from the culture of the native people of the Pacific North West.

The Rebecca Taylor girl for Spring 2009 is a bohemian world traveler with a taste for modernity and opulence - as well as all things floral, chiffon and lace. Clad in a palette of wistful neutrals paired with rich jewel tones and watercolor designs, she mixes her inherited couture pieces from her French actress mother with great finds gathered from exotic locations around the globe...for the same feeling inspired by the fragility of loved, stored away clothes and the fantasy of stepping into another time.

Ibiza, Saint Tropez, Mykonos, and Porto Cervo...designer Gideon Oberson took Gottex on a glamourous journey inspired by fabulous luxury resorts around the globe. "For me, dressing for the beach is no different than dressing for a night out. My clientele is able to go from poolside straight to cocktails and dinner by simply adding a breathtaking pareo or skirt to complete her ensemble."

- Lesley Scott

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Oxford booties remain strong for fall, and The Shoe Goddess loves these booties from Joie

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Known for traits like modesty, intelligence, and being reliable & practical, Virgos can also come off as fussy worrywarts who are picky & critical...which is why it's best to take out gift-giver's insurance on any birthdays looming between August 23 & September 22 with this 14K white gold and diamond pendant from Ice.com.

- Lesley Scott

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