Fall Essentials: The More Things Change . . .

Ah, fall, when a young(ish) woman's fancy turns to cashmere and leather . . . and while it's not completely time to mothball the sandals, there is a distinct cooling breeze and lack of daylight in the sky. Let's not forget that it's also green chile roasting season and State Fair season. Really, fall clothes are a must since the eating yummy food trend also starts about now.

Meanwhile the fashion-waves are full of helpful advice on stuff you absolutely must have right now if you're going to survive fall without looking like a has-been, and we have noticed a trend among those who are telling us what we should wear. The short version: if you snapped up some staple fashions during last winter's close-outs, you're still good to go!

Two years ago, you might have secured yourself a pair of Over-The-Knee boots (AKA OTK boots if you're into TLAs, or Three Letter Acronyms). Had you done it two years ago, you might have felt very self-conscious on their first wearing. And possibly their second. And third.

BCBG Dedra Over-The-Knee boot, in a subdued flat heel

The Bitches are overjoyed to find that the OTK boots are once again "in" for this fall. Pirate is particularly pleased, since this fall's fashion trend will bring her cost-per-wear (CPW) down to single digits for her favorite big-girl boots.

Also back are riding boots—and we've seen some good ones.

Vince Camuto's Karena riding boot.
These are way too pretty for the stable.

Moto boots are also still tres chic. Moi is shopping furiously for the ne plus ultra moto boot to perfect her ladylike-yet-bad-girl wardrobe. So far, Born's Tessa boots are running numero uno:

These are just BEGGING to be worn with a silk peasant dress and chunky sweater.

Most funnest of all, hiker booties are back again. We saw these many years ago gracing the feet of J-Lo and were a little chagrined to see them return again last fall. This fall, the hiker booties are back, and the utility chic trend is still trendy.

The Boutique 9 "Barrow" hiker bootie is tres very J Lo

Faux fur is still de rigeur. Moi is hugging herself for purchasing her faux-coyote vest last season, whilst Pirate will be scouting for her own faux fur favorite wardrobe addition.

Trina Turk Faux Fur vest, part cave-girl, part RAWR

Last year Pirate searched high and low for the most exactly right awesome leather moto jacket, and struck out repeatedly. Missing the end-of-season sales due to emotional hardship will haunt her for the coming season, since a lady-like leather moto jacket is still well and truly haute.

Pirate is stalking the interwaves waiting to pounce on the next Karen Millen sale.
If you have $500 to donate to her cause, she will gratefully bake you cookies.

"Menswear Chic" is a term we've seen in use for the coming fall season. If you've saved up your penny loafers from high school (or even if you've never really put them away) now is your chance to trot them back out and look cool doing it. Loafers can easily be worn with a pencil skirt or trouser or one of this season's pleated midi skirts. You might try out a loafer with a rolled-up khaki trouser, or a cropped slim-cut trouser, a menswear inspired button-down shirt, and a glammy sweatshirt. Yes, I said glammy sweatshirt: as in, a slouchy sweatshirt made from cashmere or merino.

jCrew "Isabel" cashmere sweatshirt, shown with pencil skirt, would look fab with loafers.

Also cool is the loafer heel, which totally girls up the menswear chic look. The loafer heel has been seen worn with cute little ankle socks. Yes this is a brave look if you've never tried it. Yes we think it's adorable.

This super cute 9 West loafer heel is but one option this season.

Midi is the new skirt length trend for the season—long enough to cover your knees, but not so long as to hide your calves. Pleated or pencil, this skirt length is flattering on most, and a welcome relief to those who were not so crazy about showing off so much leg.

"Tucker" midi pleated skirt, signaling the return of the Sexy Librarian look.

Animal prints are still totally cool, and the bitches are in favor of treating Leopard (or any animal print) as a neutral. Wear it around your neck, on your feet, head to toe.

BCBG Leopard Pencil Skirt. Meow, baybee!

Finally, sayteth Moi, python. Or, anything snake, really. Snake—whether as a theme, print, or a skin—plays a huge role in her wardrobe. Currently, she is stalking a DVF Vintage snakeskin print silk jersey wrap dress on eBay, which she believes she has, oh, about a 0.567 percent chance of winning. So she will most likely have to succor herself with this envelope python print envelope clutch by BCBG instead:

At $68, the deal of the season!

Tell the Bitches: what are you coveting for this fall?