Can’t Buy Me Love. Maid to Order. Mannequin. Long before imported glossies, jet-set artists and French actresses started shaping my definition of style, these films informed my first impression of what was cool. Blame it on the steady stream of fashion flashbacks that brightened up the spring runway shows, but lately my closet and I have been regressing to the ‘80s—specifically to the era’s jock looks.

Now, with summer upon us, I’ve been trying to track down the perfect swimsuit to complete my Heathers-worthy wardrobe, as few things scream old-school-sexy-rich-bitch like a rainbow-bright bikini. (Just ask Phoebe Cates who was immortalized in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, thanks in part to a memorable cherry-colored swimsuit.) With the hopes of channeling these Brat Pack sex symbols, I’ve outlined my top picks for this summer’s pool-side attire:

All suits from Net-A-Porter, Intermix, and Bluefly

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Imagine, if you will, that every time you left your house, you were photographed; snapshots of your best (and, gulp, worst) wardrobe choices had the possibility of winding up in places where your appearance—from hair to heels—was scrutinized by the masses. Now, put yourself in the shoes of a designer who has to whip up 30+ novel looks four times a year all while having to develop, represent, and maintain a certain type of dressing that sets them apart from hundreds of competitors.

If placed in either position—nevermind both at once—you’d need (an iron will) and few fail-proof wardrobe guidelines to make it through the day, wouldn’t you? And chances are you’d have learned way more than your fair share of style secrets, right? We thought so, which is why we asked Nicky Hilton—red carpet regular, Nicholai designer, and world famous pop culture icon—for her top 10 fashion rules. While Hilton’s codes have little to do with leather-like leggings, military jackets, and mod accessories—all key motifs of her fall ´08 collection—her no-nonsense tips are guaranteed to work for everyday Janes and paparazzi magnets alike.

1. Always have a black pump in your closet.
2. Don’t buy up every “it bag.” They go out of style fast. Invest in a classic.
3. If you’re short, avoid ankle straps on shoes. They cut your leg off and make your legs look short.
4. Wear your jewelry during the day. Its ALWAYS ok to wear diamonds.
5. Buy a great coat every season. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing underneath if you have a fabulous coat.
6. Wear color. It gets you noticed.
7. Always have manicured nails.
8. Accessorize with colorful or printed scarves. They can really dress up an outfit.
9. Buy vintage. That way, you know you’re not going to bump into anyone wearing the same thing as you.
10. Buy a great pair of boots. Knee-high, ankle…whatever.

*Snaps = Nicholai Fall ‘08 runway from Nicholai, Hilton from Wireimage

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Though it may seem otherwise, this is not an ad. This is a public service announcement, aimed at directing you (shoe-crazy shoppers) to good deals (like this one). ($150 in play money after snapping up 2 pairs of heels? Why, it almost justifies the splurge. Nice.)

Also, it’s as good a time as any to my testimonial of appreciation to Saks, specifically the now-famous zip code shoe floor in their Fifth Avenue flagship. Shopping in NYC department stores isn’t usually my bag (the crowds, the top 40 soundtrack, the cheerful barrage of things I can’t afford) but Saks’ shoe selection, sales, and staff really can’t be beat. If you’re in town, swing by the store and ask for the charming Dennis (who has an editor’s eye for shoes, knows what’s going on sale next, and won’t lie when you ask him if your feet look fat) and he’ll help you out. In the meantime, put your heels up and hop online for some affordable retail therapy.

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Admit it: We’ve all been guilty of it from time to time—even high profile celebrities have committed style crimes. To make sure you’re not on anyone’s worst-dressed list, brush up on the top 5 fashion faux pas—and find out what you should wear instead.

Fashion Faux-Pas #1: Excessive Accessorizing

Wearing sparkling shoes, shiny wrap, bag, headband, and an armful of bangles, Paris Hilton OD’s on accessories.

The Fix: Unless you’re going for the young-Hollywood, super-accessorized look, abide by the rule of three when it comes to accessorizing. Pick any three accents—a headband, necklace, watch, earrings, glittery heels or scarf—for every outfit. Wearing any more than a few accessories at a time can look messy and distracting, and keeping baubles to a minimum prevents the shopping stress of having to find pieces that look harmonious together.

Mayle Bag, Joie Flat sandal, Shopbop scarf

Fashion Faux-Pas #2: Over-Dosing on Animal Prints

Bai-Ling shows off her adventurous side in a wild zebra caftan gown.

The Fix: With the safari trend in full swing for spring, wild animal prints are looking pretty appealing. To avoid looking like you belong in a zoo, skip the head-to-toe looks in favor of a few bold accessories. Remember, when it comes to zebra stripes and leopard spots, less is more—more fashionable that is.

Nordstrom bangles, Manolo Blahnik heels

Fashion Faux-Pas #3: Mis-Matching Heels & Hemlines

Pairing short-shorts and super-high heels, Jenna Jameson commits a fashion felony.

The Fix: Figuring out which shoe and skirt or dress combo looks the best is a science—one that’s all about making the legs look good. As a general rule, hemlines above the knee work best with flats—think of all those cute ‘60s styles. Skirts or dresses that hit right at the knee can be paired with slight heels, while high heels look best with styles that hit just below the knee hemlines. When wearing something super long, unless it’s an evening gown, stick to fuss-free flat sandals.

From left to right: Wayf skirt, Miu Miu heels, Swell dress, Loeffler Randall Target flats, Tibi long dress, Juicy Couture flats.

Fashion Faux-Pas #4: Too-Trendy Jeans

While uber-trendy, Kim Kardashian’s wide-leg high-waist jeans seem to swim on her petite pear-shaped frame.

The Fix: Denim trends fluctuate every six months or so, but that doesn’t mean that you should test-drive every new style that resurfaces. To avoid bold wardrobe experiments back-firing, stick to silhouettes that flatter your figure as well as straight-leg dark-wash versions that will never go out of style.

Jeans: Gap & Citizens of Humanity

Fashion Faux-Pas #5: Too Many Textures

Juliette Lewis gets lost behind her many layers.

The Fix: Tempting as designers’ slick, sequined, or lush knit pieces may be, pulling off today’s trendy mix and match look is all about practicing restraint. Keep things simple by sticking to two textures, with an emphasis on classic combinations like hard (denim) and soft (knits) or sleek (patent) and stiff (starched cotton).

Vince Patent Coat, Banana Republic Cotton Dress

Victoria’s Secret Denim coat, JCrew Cashmere dress

*Celeb snaps = Splashnews 

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PEAKED SHOULDERS

Blame it on the still-lingering ’80s vibe, but designers gave us girls the bold shoulder for fall. Catherine Malandrino toughened up her arty dresses by adding excessively puffed sleeves, while both Marc Jacobs and Katy Rodriguez sharpened their new-wave silhouettes with sharply peaked shoulders. The result? A painfully chic look for the fearless sartorialist.

FLAPPER

While threat of a recession hovers on the horizon, for fall, designers channel the heady joie-de-vie spirit of the early 1920s. Diane von Furstenberg looked to Berlin’s smoky jazz clubs for inspiration for her seductive pieces, while at Baby Phat, models wore flapper-style shifts a touch shorter than the original flirty styles. Meanwhile, Monique Lhuillier topped whispy feathered skirts with gilded accents for a decadent look that would suit any Fitzgerald heroine.

COCOON COATS

Girls on-the-go can finally breathe a sigh of relief: Gone are the cinched-waist, buttoned-up coats of previous seasons. Designers including Marc Jacobs and Narciso Rodriguez cut their outerwear silhouettes away from the body, creating breezy cocoon-like shapes. The resulting look makes stockinged legs seem long and lean—just the thing to show off one’s killer new boots, heels, or wedges.

NEO-CONSERVATIVE

Who knew! Peter Som, Michael Kors, and Diane von Furstenberg are all members of the conservative party—or so their fall collections would lead you to believe. The leaders of New York’s fashion scene all whipped up sweet neo-’50s styles, from kitten heels and knee-length silk shifts to cashmere coats in the palest of pastels—all things surely Lady Bird Johnson would have approved off.

MEDIEVAL

Covered in chain mesh and emblazoned with silver studs, the latest embellished looks harken back to Sir Lancelot’s time. Sending her models down the runway in gray hoods and boldly studded dresses, Abaeté’s Laura Poretzky put a feminine spin on the knight-in-shining armor look, while Narciso Rodriguez offered up bold silver frocks to suit the modern-day style crusaders.

PLAID

Not since the (oft-referenced) Kurt Cobain grunge collection Marc Jacobs whipped up for Perry Ellis in the mid ’90s has plaid felt so au courant. Designers as playful as Charlotte Ronson and as proficient as Thakoon Panichgul all experimented with the timeless crisscross patterns, updating them with watercolor washes and punk accessories.

BOW BLOUSES

Be they tight and tiny or impressively voluminous, bows have replaced the necklace as the upper-body accent of choice. The Proenza Schouler duo topped off nearly all their silk blouses with double-knotted wonders, while Thakoon added gauzy scarf-like numbers to enhance his ladylike looks. So why get wrapped up in this neckwear trend? Simple: By tying one on, you look pulled-together instantly.

OVERSIZE KNITS

Sculptural, oversize cable knits and off-the-shoulder cashmere sweaters have replaced the wool coat for fall ’08. Though the change gives a nod to the global-warming-influenced mild winter temperatures, the knit-wit styles provide the coziest cold-weather look in recent seasons.

WESTERN

Designers explored Western territory for fall—and who can blame them? The wild West has a rich lode of sartorial references to mine. Ralph Lauren, a pioneer of the American cowboy look, played with Navajo prints, Pendleton-inspired plaid wools, and lodge-ready gear. Anna Sui envisioned a Pocahontas as a party-girl, one complete with fringe boots and beaded cocktail frocks. Rachel Roy kept her Manifest Destiny outlook subtle, opting for richly textured pieces, including cozy ponchos that would work in any state.

NEW LOOK GOWNS

Paralleling the neo-conservative daywear trend, designers envisioned prim-and-proper evening gowns for fall. The many one-shoulder numbers—like those from Sari Gueron and Tracy Reese—paid homage to Christian Dior’s iconic New Look silhouette. With a universally flattering cut, the classic style is just the thing for a Tinseltown starlet or prom queens looking for a little Old Hollywood glamour.

ROSETTES

Designers want us to stop and, if not smell, at least stare at the roses this season—which is easy enough to do. Festooned with crimson blooms, Marchesa’s intensely romantic dresses turned many well-coiffed heads during Fashion Week. At Herve Leger, sculpture-like accents provided a fresh contrast to the house’s signature bandage-style dresses, while Vera Wang clumped bouquets of gently draped fleurs to her coat lapels, boutonniere-style.

LUXE SHEARLING

Designers gave shearling, that classic cold-weather staple, a sophisticated makeover for fall. Oscar de la Renta layered his with gilded accents while Rebecca Taylor and Anna Sui topped off their ’70s bohemian dresses with the kind of richly embellished vests that would have made Stevie Nicks proud.

RUST-COLORED GOWNS

Stash the little black dress in the back of your closet: ‘Tis the season for liquidlike column gowns in rich rust colors. Monique Lhuillier, Phillip Lim, and Halston’s Marco Zanini all skipped over basic black and white in lieu of the decidedly autumnal hue—and since the shade is flattering on nearly all skin shades, you may too.

 *For more & for the all-important photo info, go here.

Technorati Tags: New York Fashion Week, Runway Shows, Fall Trends, Fall 2008

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In honor of it being President’s Day and all, I thought I’d indulge in make-over session for everyone’s favorite spotlight-stealing White House hopefuls. While they’re focused on taking office, we put forth a few nominations for their closet:

Forget about shoulder pads: Senator Clinton would well by donning Zac Posen’s artful, puffed-sleeve blouse and strict, no-nonsense pencil skirt.

Skip the campaign-trail pant-suits: A YSL trench and Armani’s pert jacket and louche trouser combo provide stylish alternative to the oft-criticized, more mannish garb.

And to top it off: Nothing says “I love the USA” more than a little star-spangled something–even if it’s created by some Frenchies. YSL’s star-printed blouse would earn Miss Clinton some fashion cred and prove her patriotism, while Ralph Lauren’s patent bomber would show off her tough side.

For gents, skip the stars, focus on the stripes: Specifically those that come emblazoned on blue Italian silk, like this dapper little number from Armani.

Gray is Good: Sleek, gun metal-colored suits by John Varvatos and Dolce & Gabbana would make Senator Obama seem a steely figure indeed. A skinny tie would emphasize his daringly modern approach.

To save the day, take cues from Bond: 007-worthy suits–like those from Ferragamo and Hugo Boss--would look good set against the backdrop of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

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Artistically speaking, email inboxes are sad and boring. Sure, every once in a while a friend’s racy party picts or a WhoWhatWearDaily page might pop-up and interrupt the monotony of porn spam, TravelZoo temptations, and monthly bill statements, but really, few things wind up there that are even remotely pleasing to the eye.

But tomorrow, fingers crossed, things will be different. Tomorrow–if you’ve got a clued-in, aesthetically-minded circle of friends and lovers–your inbox will be bursting at the pixels with whimsical, snappy e-cards from Kate Spade. The cool kids at the house that Kate and Andy built have crafted-up a series of Valentine’s Day e-cards, each one sweetly old-school in design but as coyly snarky as a Beatrice Inn regular. These chic tokens of affection come gratis, so feel free to be liberal with your love and send out an adoring note to everyone in your (Outlook) address book.

To send some, go to Kate Spade.info, and click on “Be Mine.”

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Getty Images’ Frazer Harrison

The majority of the glossy runway picts you see here on Glam and elsewhere come courtesy of an army of camera-wielding, wise-cracking, luggage-totting shutterbugs. In between shows we caught up with a fashion week veteran, Getty Images’ Frazer Harrison, as he explains (sometimes in photographer-speak) why scoring some of these killer snaps can be a triumph of the will:

1.Years in “the business”: 22 years working in the press industry

2.Years shooting fashion shows/fashion week: 4 years shooting house for NY and Los Angeles Fashion week.

3.Describe the prep involved when shooting a show (how many cameras, batteries, what kind of ID you need, etc); You have to make sure that the camera censor is clean: One hair on the lens means that 150 pictures have to be Photoshopped after. Freshly charged battery for the camera, if your camera battery isn’t charged and you need to change during a show you can loose maybe 2 -3 looks. Make sure you have your pass: no pass = no entry. Take care of the rest room before a show because once you are in there is NO coming out. Finally, make sure that your monopod is in working order, no loose nuts or bolts because there is nothing worse than having your pole sink while shooting.

4.What’s the toughest part of shooting the shows? Toughest part is the photographers pit, if you can’t deal with being surrounded and packed in by other photographers then this is not the job for you.

5. The most enjoyable? The best part is getting out, the feeling of relief after a show and the fact you have not messed it up is the best. Bikini shows are always the best as well.

6. What show is always the hardest-logistically-to shoot & why?: Any show with moving spotlights on the model is always the worst, lighting guys miss their models thus you get uneven light on the models . Usually spots are daylight and the lights around are Tungsten resulting in a funky color cast on the pixs. Shows which also have 80+ looks can be a test of stamina.

7. How do you mark your turf on the podium? Before the week starts we get into the spaces and mark the floor with tape with the name of the outlet we are shooting for: in this case Getty Images. As the week goes on the tape does sometimes get ripped up or worn by the photographers but most people know the rules that go with positions. House photographers always get the best position and everyone else works around them.

8.What food/snacks/beverages do you rely on to survive fashion week? Basically it’s anything you can get your hands on. New York Fashion week is surrounded by decent places to eat with fast but healthy food though I am partial to a good kebab. Evenings after the shows are always a problem when it comes to food, usually we have to resort to pizza and beer.

9.What kind of camera do you use & why? Canon eos mk 2 or 3 cameras. Great autofocus tracking on these cameras make them one of the most reliable cameras to use for this type of work.

10.What do you do post-fashion week to re-coup? No such thing as re-coup once fashion week is done its straight on to the Grammy Awards, The NAACP Image Awards, The Independent Spirit Awards, Oscars, and all the other shows that go on during the first three months of the year.

11.What kind of hours do you keep during fashion week? if you like to socialize after the shows then you end up living on 4 hours sleep, if you are a home body then the hours usually total up to about a 10-12 hour day.

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You’ve done the hard part: Caught your crush, lined up a date, decided on a time and place; now all that’s left is figuring out just what in the world you’re going to wear. To make getting dressed fuss-free—and give those stomach butterflies a rest—consult our flirty frock guide. From charming printed shifts to vamp-worthy numbers, here are ten styles that are guaranteed to make them melt.

1) Few garments say “I’m worth it” like a sexy Dolce & Gabbana sheath. Pairing easily with gold jewelry or even worn without embellishments, the Audrey Hepburn-worthy dress is sure to set hearts aflutter. Eluxury, $465

2) Part beach-babe and part bombshell (just like you!) this floaty frock perfectly balances comfort with style. In soft cotton voile and slightly ruffled hem, it works for any romantic occasion from elegant dinners to long walks along the beach. Swell, $58.00

3) Attention all drama queens: Play up your seductive side in Diane Von Furstenberg’s ruffled, flamenco-style wrap dress. Slip on a pair of strappy stilettos and soon your evening escort will be crying Ay carumba! Nordstrom, $254

4) If hitting dance floor is part of your evening plans, a sparkly number a la Foley & Corina’s swingy shift is sure to do the trick. In hot pink silk trimmed with rows of silver sequins, the head-turning frock ensures that all eyes will be on you. Shopbop, $498

5) If showing some skin isn’t your style, take heart: Cozy and chic sweater dresses like Victoria’s Secret ribbed version allow for a more subtle sex appeal. To further elongate the figure when wearing this slimming style, try belting at the waist. Victoria’s Secret, $39

6) Look every bit the lady in Mint’s dainty floral-print dress. With delicate spaghetti straps and a fluid, knee-grazing cut, the refined dress is sure to make your dinner companion sit up straight. Shopbop, $396

7) In lieu of the ultimate date standby—the little black shift dress—try a graphic-print cotton frock instead. Just the thing for casual drinks, outdoor dining, or a low-key movie, Lux’s comfy style is a steal at $58—leaving you with enough moula left over to buy the next round of drinks. Urban Outfitters, $58

A little lace can go a long way: Fashioned from boudoir-worthy silk and trimmed in delicate macramé, Urban Outfitter’s champagne-colored sash dress sets a romantic mood. Urban Outfitters, $78

9) Calling all coquettes: Gap’s cheery empire-waist style fits and flatters all silhouettes during laid-back adventures from cozy picnics to romantic road trips. Gap, $54.50

10) Covered in vibrant hues and cut playfully at mid-thigh, Z/G by Grimaldi’s printed empire dress appeals to those who are wild at heart. Couture Candy, $209

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Rebel Yell Football Tees

This Sunday, while the fashion crowd swarms the Bryant Park tents—all decked out in sartorial cocktails comprised of two parts top-shelf designer label, one part H&M flair and a splash of bright patents—the rest of the country will be getting comfy on communal couches getting ready for the Superbowl. As the most social spectator sporting event of the year, wearing the right gear is a sizable concern for some gals. Fortunately Rebel Yell has the athletic aesthetic covered: The sportswear label helmed by Andi Ballard specializes in, among other chic casuals, flirty football jerseys. To channel fashionable football fanatics Jessica Simpson and Gisele Bündchen on over to Revolve Clothing to score one for yourself.

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