12 Pencil Skirts You'll Want To Own Now

The pencil skirt has long earned a reputation as a mainstay in the working women’s 9 to 5 wardrobe. A far cry from the revealing mini and boho maxi, the safe pencil has been deemed the more conservative of the skirt silhouettes, but judging from the recent NYFW and LFW street-style shots (and even as far last year’s shows), the pencil is now – dare we say – very  hip.

The New Shape of Leather Skirts

The pencil leather skirt is a no-fail piece that has a place in every woman’s closet. It can be minimal, strong, sexy, and feminine, and let’s not forget impossibly cool, all at the same time. For a ‘50s secretary look pair it with a pussy-bow silk top and some ladylike pumps. Switch into a worn in band tee and some pointy ankle booties and the look goes from retro to badass.

Fall's Go-To-Top: Sweatshirts

Last winter was all about fisherman cable knit sweaters. This up-coming season the modest sweatshirt will have its turn in the spotlight as the new throw-on-with-everything top. Although the grey sweatshirt may not be a completely foreign idea in our closets, it has been the perfect piece to temper an otherwise dressy ensemble for some time now; the sporty silhouette is being re-imagined in a slew of experimental prints, colors and textures by designers like Balenciaga and Alexander Wang.

Strap-Up

Fall 2011 ushered in the classic ankle-strap shoe with designers like Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim focusing their attention on dressing up our ankles in barely there straps wrapped seductively around the ankles. Wang went one step further calling attention to the ankles with the futuristic Fabiana complete with a superhero cape at the back of the strap.

Overalls Go Street Chic

Ever since I saw this shot of fashion consultant Miroslava Duma in a tailored pair of kick-ass overalls at Ulyana Sergeenko’s first couture fashion show in Paris earlier this summer, I’ve been totally obsessed with finding the perfect pair of overalls. While the petite street style star didn’t disappoint at the shows with an array of drool-worthy looks, this particular ensemble really grabbed me.

Vamp Up Your Pout for Fall In Deep Rich Tones

With all the bright pops of color that have taken over our makeup-bag, it’s refreshing to see moody shades of burgundy, plum and burnt cherry making a strong statement this fall for lips. The dramatic sexy hue popped up all over the Fall 2012 catwalks (Donna Karan, Rochas (both above), Gucci & Bottega Veneta) and trendsetters like Kate Bosworth, Azealia Banks and Camilla Bell took this optimum fall beauty trend for an early spring spin at the Met Ball 2012.

Pretty Dead

Skull motifs have long made appearances on everything from T-shirts, scarves and handbags. Usually associated with a goth or punk aesthetic, lately the cranium has been popping up in bold, colorful and dare we say sweet iterations. Jewelry lines like Anna Sheffield, Dannijo and Erickson Beamon have turned to Mexican sugar skulls, a traditional folk art from Southern Mexico used to celebrate the Day of The Dead, for inspiration.