TIME TO WRAP UP

If there's anything else you should be adding to your wardrobe, it's the poncho. Basic tees, trusty blue jeans, comfy flats and signature bags aside, the poncho is making a comeback as the essential item this season.

We all know comfort is key and nothing spells comfort better than the warmer sister of the kaftan-like top. If you're worried about looking like a walking potato sack or having people make the unfortunate mistake of complimenting you on your "new child", don't be! The key to mastering this boho-chic look is to let your poncho be the centre of attention. Lest your poncho happens to be of a monotone palate, keep other prints, bright colors or statement pieces at bay unless of course, they compliment your technicolor dream coat. It's also best to keep your bottoms fitted and dark in hue; be it skinny jeans, leggings or even a mini skirt with or without a pair of tights. While ponchos may hang loosely, most wearers do not find themselves drowning in too much cloth. However, if you have chosen something with more material, belting it at the waist will do the trick in maintaing your shape. Accessories-wise, minimal is the way to go.

While some might disagree on this must-have closet piece because of its ability to have an uncanny resemblance to a baby blanket, newer and more fashion forward designs are coming out and they might very well tempt your sartorial taste buds.

For starters, click away and check out these beautiful pieces from BoutiqueLaFleur and be prepared to get wrapped up in the hunt for your perfect poncho.

      Amill Cashmere Poncho by Velvet / Ulla Johnson Anouk Sweater Poncho / Graham & Spencer Stripe Fringe Poncho

LUSTWORTHY SHOES 2011-2012

I've gone through many "pack rat" phases in life. Collecting vintage jewelry before moving on to outerwear, navajo pieces, cotton totes and how could I ever forget my one true love, or loves rather: shoes. If there is a item of clothing or accessory I believe worth splurging on, it would be a pair of shoes. However, it wasn't long before I started reassessing this obsession during my rare spring cleaning moments and came to realize that my trusty pair of black flats were the ones that I relied most on, aside from my red converse sneakers and studded slip-ons. No matter how interesting or beautiful the shoes I have amassed over the past few years are, they tend to find a rather permanent place on my shoe rack after a couple of wears. Sadly, they don't see me through my short attention span and the ever-changing trends which is why, after hours of sole-searching, I've concluded that a pair or two out of the following shoes shall suffice for myself, and for the benefit of my wallet.

With metallics, color blocking, menswear and retro-chic ringing in high on the trend alert scale this fall, I believe these shoes deserve a form of recognition of some sort.

source: www.net-a-porter.com

TREND ALERT: METALLIC MADNESS

The fall runways have offered a huge range of style options to see us through Fall 2011. Polka dots, graphic prints, floor-sweeping hem and even flashbacks to the 60s with Peter Pan collars, shift dresses and double-breasted pea-coats all making an appearance - reminiscent of the decade's Mod styles.

If you're one to stand out - well even if you're not, I assure that you'll fall in love with this fall trend as have I - then get ready to embrace your inner glamour queen. This fall, we're talking high shine and loads of metallics.

The trick to embracing this liquid-like style is to ensure your pieces flow languidly, as if they're about to drip right off you thus creating the impression of a perfectly laid-back yet glamourous style. Don't limit yourselves to metallics clothing only but accessories as well. Keep an eye out for metallic totes, flats, belts, headbands or even nail polishes to accent your everyday looks. The best thing about metallic colors is that they go well with other colors. You can say that they're somewhat like neutral colors, but with the volume amped up of course.

Stella McCartney / Calvin Klein

Rodarte / Alexander Wang

Haider Ackerman / Oscar de la Renta

Source: Harper's Bazaar

With the right picks, the looks you can create promise to bring you from the day well into the night. Pair a boyfriend blazer with a metallic top and your favorite trousers to play it safe. Or choose to go all out and pair your favorite shiny stilettos and clutch with a slinky shiny number; with all that glitz, there won't be a need to fret over jewelry.

*Get the LBD here! 

Get inspired and create your own take on this up and coming fall trend. Just remember not to pile on too much metallics so as to avoid looking like a walking ornament.

CHANNELING VINTAGE MUSES

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and while fashion shines its spotlight on individualism, we still turn to our own muses to derive inspiration to piece together our own outfits which eventually leads to our own signature styles.

These style icons have however managed to not only capture the hearts of designers (read Jane Birkin and the coveted Hermes Birkin Bag) but have had a steady following of fashion fans since the swinging sixties. Albeit their different fashion sense, they all have one thing in common: an eternal spot in the world of fashion and beauty.

Read on to find out how you can mix pieces from BoutiqueLaFleur with those of your own to recreate these style queens.

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ALI MACGRAW

Famous for her portrayal of the impossibly stylish Jennifer Cavalleri in The Love Story, Ali MacGraw is in real-life a flower child at heart. Her long shiny hair was her favorite accessory and it complimented her Bohemian-meets-American-Prep style to perfection. Still being referred to by stylists such as Rachel Zoe, the American born actress and model has certainly earned her rightful place as the Boho-queen of all time.

Get the Look:
Thigh high boots plus a white tunic top makes for the perfect laid-back combo

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DEBORAH HARRY

This rocker chick not only rocked it out on stage as the front-woman of punk rock and new wave band Blondie but has blown the socks off her fashion groupies with her iconic dressing. Leather jacket, check. Boots, check. Studs and graphic tees, check. Killer vocals, check. Deborah Harry sang in I'm Gonna Love You Too: "You're gonna say you'll love me" and with such a distinct style, how could we say otherwise.

Get the Look:
Graphic tees are a staple in every punk rocker's closet and you can't miss out on the leather either!

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FRANCOISE HARDY

Her chiseled cheekbones, cool girl image and beautiful voice made Francoise Hardy unforgettable. In photos, the French singer and actress was hardly ever seen without her guitar and her pared-down mod style. Mick Jagger called her the perfect woman and Nicolas Ghesquiere, head of the couture house, Balenciaga, derives inspiration from her. This statuesque French beauty has certainly gotten it all going on.

Get the Look:
Pair a modest silk blouse with a mini skirt to bring this mod girl's quintessential style from day to night

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JANE BIRKIN

It's not everyday that you get to sit beside the chief executive of Hermes and have a bag created for and named after you a few years later but that was what happened to Jane Birkin. The iconic bag is now toted around by the rich and famous and coveted by many worldwide which isn't any wonder why the English model/actress/singer's status has been sealed in the fashion world. The epitome of sex kitten back in the 60s and 70s, Jane Birkin's style is still as magnificent now as it was back then.

Get the Look:
A sweater dress and a pair of pumps are all of you need to recreate this understated beauty's dressing