I can’t believe it, but fall is upon us. It’s time to check out what the fashion world has in store for the coming season.

Fall 2012 trends show a perfect balance between tailored menswear-inspired pieces and feminine frocks. Black continues to be the color, as it was last fall, but it is made interesting by layering various fabrics and beautiful details.

This silk, cotton & leather trench coat by BCBGMAXAZRIA shows how fab a mix of black fabrics can be

Cobalt blue also makes an appearance at many of the shows and pairs really well with the black that dominated the runway.

Cobalt blue is hot this season as seen in this Prabal Gurung Lurex sweater worn with wool/silk pants 

Red in different shades of bordeaux is the offset to cobalt blue and creates a deep, rich look for the collections.

Elie Tahari’s leather jacket with bordeaux details, bordeaux wool pants and croc-embossed leather tote

Gold sparkles in a lot of shows with a subtle 1920s influence that carried over from spring and will continue with the opening of The Great Gatsby remake on Christmas Day and, of course, the Downton Abbey craze.

While spring is typically about brights and florals, fall is more luxe, urban and sophisticated. There are some patterns (a few plaids here and there) to be seen, but mostly the looks are solid with some playful bits of colorblocking that have continued from the spring/summer collections.

A silk BCBGMAXAZRIA jumpsuit with navy, bordeaux, sheer and white colorblocking

Beading and embellishment soften and contrast some of the more severe looks. Lace, fur and sheer fabrics are layered to make the sea of black a bit more exotic.

Prabal Gurung fox and goat hair jacket and Neoprene pants create a sophisticated look

Leather is the ubiquitous must-have for fall. Skirts, vests, jackets and dresses made of leather ruled the runway. If you buy one piece for the season, make it something leather!

Elie Tahari fur/leather vest and leather blouse with jeans is a great casual but chic outfit

Menswear inspired shoes, such as brogues and oxfords, are the focus for footwear (I noticed this trend in Paris this spring, and it’s made its way to the U.S. for fall).

Details such as asymmetry and pleats are a common thread running through many collections rendering the simple silhouettes modern.

Elie Tahari asymmetrical leather jacket with a sleeveless silk blouse and knit pants

The pleats in this silk BCBGMAXAZRIA dress are typical of the details shown this fall

Peplum (a ruffle at the waist) is very trendy this season and is everywhere. It is not flattering on women with full hips though, so beware if you have a womanly figure.

Peplum is very trendy as Prabal Gurung shows here with this wool crepe sleeveless tunic and pants

Skirts have both full & pencil silhouettes but they are consistently at or slightly above knee length. Pants are also a juxtaposition of either long and slim or very flared and flowy.

Elie Tahari cashmere cape, silk blouse, wide-legged wool pants and croc-embossed tote

This is a great season to follow the trends because the classic styles, luxe fabrics and rich colors will become a permanent fixture in your closet that you can return to over and over again throughout the years rather than looking worn after one season.

In summary, to follow the fall 2012 trends, you should:

• layer different black fabrics for an elegant look
• buy something in leather
• buy a piece in cobalt blue or bordeaux red
• keep it simple with menswear silhouettes
• buy a pair of brogues or oxfords

To see more of Elie Tahari’s fall 2012 collection, go to Elie Tahari.

To see more of BCBGMAXAZRIA’s fall 2012 collection, go to BCBGMAXAZRIA.

To see more of Prabal Gurung’s fall 2012 collection, go to Prabal Gurung.

Have fun and happy shopping!

Illysia Neumann-Loreck