Fall Fashion Trends: Tough-Chic to Sex Kitten

Floral prints? Baby doll dresses? No way, say today's stylists

(NEWSER) - Women are starting to turn their backs on girly pastels, floral prints, and strappy heels in favor of a more aggressive, tough-but-sexy look. “It’s not cool to be demure,” one stylist, who prefers big T-shirts over ripped jeans, tells the New York Times . The trend toward a more utilitarian look is partially a response to the struggling economy: “So-called luxury—people are tired of it,” says a boutique owner. More»

Chest hair is no longer a 1970s relic—it's back

(NEWSER) - Plunging necklines: They’re not just for women anymore. Male cleavage is back, and if you like chest hair and heaving pecs, you’re sure to appreciate the variety of V-necks and scoop-neck tops for men that are hitting the runways. The Wall Street Journal takes a look at the history of man cleavage, from bare-chested heroes of last century’s early swashbuckling films, to recent stars who just like to leave a button or three undone. View our gallery for the run down. More»

Though many fear its demise, it still has a few tricks up its sleeve

(NEWSER) - The death knell is ringing once again for haute couture, as it does every decade or so—but don’t count it out yet, writes Amy Fine Collins in Vanity Fair. Though the house of Lacroix recently filed for bankruptcy and Yves Saint Laurent is gone, haute couture has survived much worse. “So long as the house of Chanel exists, couture exists,” Karl Lagerfeld says. More»

Sales surge as starlets embrace combat-style footwear

(NEWSER) - They look sweaty and uncomfortable, but make no mistake: Boots are hot—as in trendy—this summer. "It’s a way of saying, ‘I am a tough, cool and bad girl and don’t mess with me,’ and at the same time, women want to stay feminine," the creative director of Barneys New York tells Bloomberg . "The only faux pas is not to have confidence. You have to look like you can kick some butt." More»

Not interested in fashion? Check out the falling models

(NEWSER) - Wondering what you’ve missed so far from Fashion Week? We’ve rounded up five trends to keep your eye on—check out examples of each in the gallery:

• Wearability: Designers from Derek Lam and Vera Wang to, yes, even Marc Jacobs and Rodarte are offering clothes the average person might actually wear, reports the Wall Street Journal .
• Comedic interlude: Models are falling.