The 2011 Fall showings at New York Fashion Week Fashion are underway (10^th to 17^th Feb). Greg and I aren’t able to make it to NYC this time round, so I’ve been glued to my computer screen watching as much of the live show coverage as possible while tweeting up a storm about what I see. Although we’re not in NYC experiencing the magic first hand, there is something to be said for watching the shows from my front row office chair, with tea in hand and puppies at my feet. There is always a silver lining!

Although I’m here in Seattle, I will still be covering Fashion Week, bringing you the highlights and narrowing down the main trends for Fall 2011. Ater watching 18 live shows so far, it’s already clear that there are watershed fashion changes ahead of us.

Today is day 3 and my absolute favourite show so far is by young genius designer Jason Wu. The designs and colour palette appeal to my own style. Apart from a few exceptions, I can see myself wearing these outfits right now. We don’t have Greg’s killer photography, but you can get a taste of Wu’s brilliance from the photos available at Style.com.

Wu’s collection was polished, ladylike and dramatic. The vibes of the outfits were both feminine and androgynous, which I think is a perfect combination. I really enjoyed seeing high necklines and normal three inch heels as opposed to the 5-inchers most runway models end up wearing.

The collection was generally black and cream with splashes of tan, grey, gold, cobalt, chartreuse and tomato red. I adored the dainty 70’s ruffles and satin ribbons on the collars of the blouses. I’m going to buy satin ribbon and try the effect on my own button down shirts and blouses – I’m that inspired. Skirts and dresses were generally A-line and trousers tapered.

I’m not a big black lace gal but the baroque lace insets, blouses, trims and headgear used throughout the collection has also inspired my style. And I’m already sporting the polka dot hose.

Jason Wu just became my second favorite fashion designer of all time. Chanel and Valentino are still tied for first place. View the full collection at Style.com.

You don’t need an occasion like Valentine’s Day to wear red shoes. Any day of the year is an occasion to lovingly sport happy red shoes!

For as long as I can remember, bright red shoes make me smile. There’s just something about them that’s classic, festive and strong. I feel powerful when I wear bright red shoes.

Since red shoes are close to my heart, it seems fitting that I share my current red shoe loves a few days before Valentine’s Day. I didn’t think that I had a thing for red patent, but by the looks of things I definitely do. I’ve seen and tried on all the styles except the Bloch ballet flats and the Me Too Felisa stacked heel pumps. But I believe in the Me Too brand and there has been an encouraging forum discussion about Bloch flats, so I’m suggesting both styles with confidence.

Kitten heels are trending, which makes the Gabriella Rocha Abilene a cute option. Retro T-straps are always in fashion so bring on the Gabriella Rocha Shelby2 if you prefer a daintier heel. The Spring Step Jubilee is extra comfortable and ever so slightly distressed. And the Vaneli Genie’s ruffled toe box has a sweet romantic edge.

Click through the links of these styles for other colours if red is not your cup of tea. I will forgive you.

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In keeping with the 70’s fashion revival this season, broad-brimmed floppy hats are popping up all over the show. Some are made of felt while others are made of straw and wicker.

I will never sport a floppy 70’s hat because extremely short hair does you no hat wearing favours, especially when you wear specs too. But I love the look on the right gal. Long hair is not a must, but my goodness does it work. I’ve seen floppy 70’s hats look fab with items as casual as faded denim shorts, and as dressy as a cocktail frock.

I absolutely vote yay. How about you? And would you wear a floppy 70’s hat?

I’ve wanted a pair of pleated 80’s inspired trousers as soon as I saw them appear on the runway a few years ago. I blogged about it in 2009 and I’ve been on the hunt ever since. I searched high and low for a pair with good drape and enough leg length. It was like looking for a needle in haystack! Style after style was too short, too itchy, too stiff, too poufy or too black. I finally found a pair at Club Monaco that fit the bill. They are in a soft glen plaid, not quite grey and not quite brown but somewhere in-between.

This style of trouser is an acquired taste, but for me it was love at first sight. I guess, unlike others, I thoroughly enjoy wearing trends I wore 20 years ago. They bring back fond memories and I often prefer the way I sport the trends the second time round.

I hands down like these trousers best with a tucked in button down shirt or soft drapey blouse, which is why I’ve chosen a roomy cream and black polka dot blouse for this outfit. I’ve tried tucking in a very fine gauge sweater and it looks okay, but not fabulous. I also quite like the look of these trousers with a soft, un-tucked big blouse, and I’m still experimenting with that combination.

The trousers look good with high heels and I can manage that for about two to three hours.  I wear kitten heels, low heeled booties, ballet flats and flat oxfords when I need to charge around town for longer periods of time. Belting the tucked in blouse completes the outfit.

If you’ve been with YLF for a while, you’ll recognize the cream trench and black cracked patent doctor’s satchel. I wore both items in my “coming out post” almost three years ago when I revealed my identity for the first time here on YLF. Both items are still going strong! I always carry a black handbag when I wear this cream trench coat. It’s odd how I kind of have a rigid rule about that.

The pearl necklace is quite unique in that it doesn’t have a fixed fastening. It wraps around the neck and ties like a scarf. I chose my black specs because I like those best when I wear cream – after all, I am on Team High Colour Contrast.

Although the tapered trousers are trendy, the integrity of the outfit is modern classic because of the way I’ve styled it. The colours are quite soft and the accessories aren’t edgy. I’ll give you a spunky outfit with these trousers on another day.

One last thing: Greg says these trousers somehow remind him of 20’s Art Deco design, so he’s named them my “Art Deco trousers”. I have an adorable husband.