Wardrobe refresher
By Michelle Woo
Updated: 2006-09-26 09:17

As the seasons change, so should your wardrobe.

But instead of giving your closet a complete overhaul, update what you have with the most lust-worthy, can't-live-without trends for fall.

Here's what to buy this minute, what to bring out from previous seasons and what to box up and put into storage.

Buy - Leggings
They're back. The skintight basic has shed its Flashdance image (yes, leg warmers can stay in the '80s - really), cropping up now as a layering staple under full skirts, coats and tailored jackets.

"They add a different dimension to your wardrobe," says Linda Conforti, personal fashion consultant at Dillard's at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Bring out - Skinny jeans
"They're definitely big for fall," says Jenny Feldman, fashion news editor at Elle magazine. "You can pair them with longer tunic tops, like we saw at YSL. It's a minimal, clean look."

Box up - Capri pants
Opt for fresher silhouettes such as slim-fitting cigarette pants (they're daringly chic with ballet flats) or sleekly tailored, just-above-the-knee city shorts.

Buy - Leopard-print handbags
If you can't imagine strutting down the street in a leopard-print trench coat, start with a bag. It's a subtle way to be ferociously glam.

"Leopard has become a perennial classic," says Roxanne Robinson-Escriout, senior accessories editor at Women's Wear Daily. "It's something that will never go out of style."

Bring out - Oversize bags
Carry your life in an oversize bag. Inspired by jet-set patent satchels at Louis Vuitton and quilted chain lovelies at Marc Jacobs, these stylish staples can hold all of life's essentials (like your BlackBerry and after-work flip-flops).

"Handbag sizes are extreme. An oversized doctor's bag or satchel and a sleek clutch are the two most forward silhouettes," says Lisa Bradkin, accessories director of Olympus Fashion Week in New York.

Box up - Fringe bag
So long, cowgirl. Trade laidback Western details for sleeker lines and fabrics.

Buy - Tuxedo details
Menswear gets a playful twist this season with darling tuxedo details. Look for ruffled shirts, fitted jackets and little black satin buttons.

"The look doesn't have to scream 'menswear,' " says Maggi Heiser, a wardrobe consultant in Phoenix. "It can be very feminine. And you can't ever go wrong with black and white."

Bring out - Victorian romance
Soften up your look with delicate Victorian-inspired details, from ruched necklines to precise pintucks. Designers gave the trend a modern spin by pairing billowy poet tops with sleek, form-fitting pencil skirts.

Box up - Bohemian accents
Finally, we can tuck away those embroidered prairie skirts, frumpy caftans and chunky wood beads. The hippie look is out.
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