The trend: Ladylike
Designers: Prada, Louis Vuitton

Two of the cornerstones of mainstream luxury dressing sent a decidedly 50s aesthetic down their fall runways. The “Mad Men”-esque silhouettes and styling marked a return to luxury dressing that embraces the female form. Although the look was reminiscent of housewives from an idealized American past, both collections were imbued with a subversive underlying power contained in the prepackaged symbol of womanly form. Miuccia Prada sent buxom, bee-hived women down her maze-like Milan runway to the sounds of free jazz. She took the cookie cutter housewife image and turned it darker and more sarcastic. In a world of faceless 13-year-old Eastern European toothpicks, Miuccia overtly drew attention to the chest with tiers of ruffles and under-the-bust cutouts, celebrating and embracing the woman instead of boxing her into an ideal. Marc Jacobs continued this ode to women, closing Paris fashion week with a Louis Vuitton line full of elbow-length gloves and buttery leather A-line skirts. The décolletage was paid equal homage with form-fitting bustiers and cinched-in waists. This time ladylike was not about confining women to a certain ideal, but rather embracing the female body as muse.

How to wear it:

Although I’m all in favor of a campus-wide motion to wear full-length gloves, if that seems a little problematic for eating and such, try this trend from the inside out. Before you throw on the sweatshirt and Rainbows, channel your inner Christina Hendricks and dress like a woman. Try an A-line silhouette with a well placed cutout or a structured bustier top, with a little volume in your pony and a stacked pump. Don’t be afraid of length and volume when it comes to skirt choice. Instead of flashy and skin tight, showcase your curves by wearing something that is flattering to the bust, directs attention to your waist and floats away from the hips. Take the time and invest in luxury pieces that fit your body perfectly. In short, treat yourself like a lady.

The trend: Floor-Length for Day
Designers: Marc Jacobs, The Row, Dries Van Noten

This fall, expect a major drop in hemlines, from micro minis to fabric softly sweeping the ground. Great lengths were making appearances throughout all four major fashion weeks in various different incarnations. Marc Jacobs’ eponymous line featured gently voluminous ankle-grazing skirts with sheer panels. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s signature It-girl, effortlessly cool aesthetic was flawlessly recreated in the all-black floor-length minimalist ensembles featuring simple and elegant silhouettes. The floor-length skirt reappeared as a boldly printed sheath at Dries van Noten, a grey knit oozing classic American at Michael Kors and a whimsical forest-green chiffon at Peter Som. Although more modest than the statement-making mini dresses at Balmain, the floor-length skirt creates just as much, if not more, drama. The visual strength of the long unbroken line demands respect and creates elegance.

How to wear it:

This trend is totally doable, do not be afraid. Avoid dowdy grandma fabrics, large flowers, fat pleats, heavy or too much volume; instead opt for lightweight fabrics and body-skimming cuts. As one of the very vertically challenged, I was always terrified of looking swallowed up in fabric. For us short folk, think less volume, more column. Also, I always sneak some huge heels under there, then wow, my legs are magically five inches longer! How did that happen? With this look, you statuesque beauties, even with flats, still create a line that shows off your legs for miles and miles. Not only does it lend instant elegance, but it’s also incredibly versatile. You can wear it with a dramatic slit, as a flattering blank backdrop to the outfit or as a printed main attraction. Floor-length lightweight chiffon adds so much romance to an outfit, but doesn’t have to be fairy princess-y. Paired with a basic top and blazer it becomes clean with a touch of whimsy. Plus, wearing a long skirt feels like sweeping around in a ball gown. You feel like you own every movement you make and the space you take up. It also is so easy to throw on, and bam, automatic relaxed cool a la Mary-Kate. There is something extremely sexy about just hinting at the shape of your legs. Bonus, you won’t flash anyone whilst bicycling!