A red top matched with blue jeans makes sense. A red skirt matched with an ink blue blouse makes sense. A red sweater matched with navy trousers makes sense. But mixing bright red with cobalt blue gave me pause. I associate this colour pairing with the uniforms of flight attendants, the Dutch flag and super heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman.

The runways of Fall 2011 Fashion Week show lots of bright red and cobalt blue, and in quite a few instances they are worn together in the same outfit. Although the outfit combinations below are a little over the top, they provide a good visual for the colour pairing. And here comes the surprising part – it’s growing on me.

I just might give it a bash. It won’t cost a cent since I can shop my closet for the pieces. Oh, goodness! See how watching 40 trend setting runway shows at Fashion Week can change your mind about something. I never thought I’d want to wear a jumpsuit again, but as soon as I came back from Spring runway collections last September I started my hunt for the perfect jumpsuit.

What do you think? Is wearing red with blue generally a yay or nay? How do you feel about bright red and cobalt blue in particular?

DKNY, a veteran at New York Fashion Week, pumps out collection after inspiring collection. DKNY is just one of Donna Karan’s collections since she also shows her couture line “Donna Karan” in the same week. I don’t know how she does it.

This collection combined menswear inspired bomber jackets, rugby stripes and suits, with ladylike fabrications and tailoring. The effect was right up my alley. Her palette showcased strong black and white/cream and red combinations, but DKNY also combined cognac with red, fuchsia and ink blue, which I found fresh and fabulous. At this point I want a pair of red trousers more than ever.

Skirts were short, which certainly is not the norm for collections at this Fashion Week. Trousers were tapered and flared, and tops and jackets were both fitted and voluminous.

I really appreciate the lack of ruffles, frills, poufs and flounces in this collection. There is a “no nonsense” integrity about it that’s thoroughly modern and very appealing. No retro and no vintage. Instead there are lots of good clean lines in strong colours with a feminine edge. Fab!

View the full collection on Style.com.

Midi-length or “tea length” skirts and dresses finish somewhere between the bottom of the kneecap and the bottom of the calf. Form fitting midi skirts and dresses were very prevalent in the 1940’s. They were popular in flared silhouettes in the 1950’s. And they were popular in just about every silhouette in the 80’s – anyone remember the flared midi skirt that hitched up on one side?

I mentioned in my Spring 2011 Fashion Week coverage that hemlines were getting longer, and we’re starting to see hints of that happening this season. The midi skirt and dress trend is still very fringe, but judging by what I’ve seen at the Fall 2011 shows, midis are going to be mainstream in 6 months. And I’m very happy about it.

Give me the right midi skirt or frock a million times over a maxi skirt or dress. Somehow, the leg revealing length is much more flattering to my eye. I suspect that many will find the midi frumpy. Granted, petite women often look better in shorter skirts because they balance out proportions. The midi looks best when worn with at least a low heel, once again, to balance out proportions. But please don’t say no to this trend if it doesn’t light your fire immediately. Midis come in a range of lengths and silhouettes, and you might end up loving the look once you’ve found the version that’s right for you.

For those who prefer shorter skirts, don’t worry because they are absolutely sticking around. Hopefully we’ll see a great assortment of midis and minis over the next five years so that there is something for everyone. There will also be maxis for those who prefer that length of skirt and dress.

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Of all the over the top runway collections at the New York Fashion Week for Fall 2011 so far, Rag & Bone comes up tops. I have a few Rag & Bone pieces that I purchased at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, but they aren’t over the top at all! Rag & Bone makes an impeccably tailored jacket which is why the brand holds my interest. I bet that the pieces in this show are beautifully made.

I don’t quite know how to describe this collection other than that it was exciting and fabulously vibrant to see it come down the runway. The palette started off with cream and taupe, then moved through to brown and tomato red, and finished off with cobalt blue and black. It was a creative hybrid of mod frocks, ski gear, motor cross detailing, Scottish kilts and tartan, boarding school striped blazers and collegiate sweaters. That’s a crazy mixture, which I believe was actually well executed. The pictures speak for themselves.

Remember that these outfits might look unwearable because of the unexpected combinations. Things look blindingly bold and overly mismatched. Once you dissect the outfits and style each item in a less eccentric way, it’s like magic – they suddenly become more wearable.

View the full collection on Style.com.