It pays to call in the pros, and nowhere is this truer than in fashion. That’s why we asked Kyle Anderson, Senior Accessories Editor at Elle magazine, to check out our fall accessories and pick some of the best. An Alexander Wang bag? Of course. But a few things you might not guess also made the list. Some highlights:
	Golden Goose Boots Kyle says: “Love the height and the metal details. They don’t look like what people think of as ‘cowboy boots,’ they’re young, cool, and urban.”
	Giuseppe Zanotti Over the Knee Boots Kyle says: “For girls who are afraid of buying over-the-knee boots. The matte embossed croc makes these super luxe and totally not Pretty Woman.”
	BE & D Handbag Kyle says: “We shot this for Elle right after the collections showed in Europe. It’s a cool bag for going out when you don’t do clutches and need to carry more than your phone.”

Though it once conjured up images of flowy hippie skirts and hemp jewelry, designers have come to make eco-friendly clothing anything but crunchy-granola. Along with Shopbop veterans EDUN, Brigid Catiis, and Re Collection, two new brands are showing there’s no need to sacrifice style for the greater good.

Leather jackets are a cool girl’s number one staple, and Novella Royale handbags, cut from old leather jackets, are a close second. Studs and fringe give these totes and clutches a tough exterior, but inside they have a heart of gold: lined with organic fabric, their eco-friendly production doesn’t create new waste. And each handmade-in-L.A. piece is literally one of a kind.

Community Denim takes its name from the idea of people coming together for a common purpose, an outlook reflected in their focus on ethical production and donation of a percentage of all sales to children’s charities. Another of their good deeds? Their clean-lined skinnies with made-in-Italy construction come with an affordable price tag. Make a statement by pairing their black jeans with a grey slash-back tee from Re Collection, recycled-metal Alkemie jewelry, and a Novella Royale handbag slung over your shoulder.

--Tonya

While I’m currently coveting every just-dressed-up-enough tweed piece in Chris Benz’s fall collection (it’s so modern Mad Men), today I’m in the mood for something a little more casual. Three city-cool pieces with a relaxed weekend feel:
	It’s no surprise James Perse is a leader in the world of casual button-down shirts. This is a study in Saturday slacking perfection. James Perse - Rib Panel Dolman Shirt
	Slouched just right, and they look like I’ve worn them for years from the first moment I put them on. Current/Elliott has set the denim bar high. Current/Elliott - Super Slouchy Skinny Jeans
	I’m reading A Town Like Paris, and it’s left me with endless daydreams of a life lived in the city of light. This buttery-soft concoction will tame my desire to take up residence in the Ile de France (for a little while, anyway). Jerome Dreyfuss - Leon Hobo
Dressed up, dressed down, or dressed somewhere in between, you’ll find a look to suit your mood in What’s New. --Amie

Okay, so it might not be generating quite the same amount of buzz as that other September Issue some of you may have heard about, but that just means you won’t have to stand in line for hours to get a look at it. Here’s a peek at what’s featured in this month’s issue of Shopbop’s magazine, The Edit.

What did we do on our summer vacation? Shopbop Fashion Director Kate traveled the Serengeti and returned with style inspiration (and some amazing pics) that we fashioned into 10 looks suitable for city life. (What better showcase for our favorite safari-inspired fall pieces?)

Back here at home, we singled-out our four must-have fall accessories with old-school French flair and Senior Stylist Morgan put together her expert tips on how to wear one of fall’s best investment pieces: the tuxedo blazer. To top things off, we scored an exclusive Q&A with Geren Lockhart of Geren Ford where she gave us some insights into her design process and a behind-the-scenes look at her fall photo shoot.

But that’s not all! Get the full story in the September issue of The Edit.

--Maureen

When I was checking Yahoo News this morning, the top headline read: “What to do if you’re stuck on a runway.” My first reaction was, “Is that a problem?” Oh, that kind of runway (one with 747s not Twenty8Twelve). But even if you’re heading for JFK and not the tents at Bryant Park, maintaining a fashion-forward rather than a just-outta-bed look is still a priority. A few travel-smart selections below.
	Jersey or fine-knit tops are essential at 30,000 feet. They’re comfy, move freely, and with fall’s draping trend, if you exit the plane looking a little rumpled, you’re even more in. Elizabeth and James - Funnel Neck Sweatshirt
	Always bring a fluid cardigan on board. This is especially a good idea when trekking between vastly different climes. Cardis add a grown-up chicness to any outfit and, as an added bonus, are easily rolled into a pillow. Elizabeth and James - Scarf Wrap Cardigan
	If you’re like me and fall asleep as soon as the plane starts taxiing, only to wake up with hair that resembles a wild animal, a hat is your new best friend. This Bop Basics beret not only exudes that just-back-from-Paris je ne sais quoi, it also takes up miniscule suitcase space. Bop Basics - Cashmere Beret
Effortless yet inspired travel outfit? Peruse the Who What Wear book (page 134) for more tips, then come get the goods in What’s New. --Suzanne

If you wax nostalgic for the army/navy surplus jackets and camo prints of your angst-filled adolescence, but want something more sophisticated (and less musty tent-scented) now that you’re (allegedly) all grown up, this is your season.

Military-inspired felted-wool winter coats have long been Marc by Marc Jacobs’s specialty, and this season he doesn’t disappoint, bringing us a smart, double-breasted style with his signature sharp tailoring. Fall also sees designers doing the beloved surplus jacket one better. SMYTHE gives it a feminine fit and fingerless gloves at each sleeve, while Torn by Ronny Kobo lines it in super-plush faux fur.

What gets my vote for Most Creative Use of Camo Print? The flirty chiffon frock from Diane von Furstenberg featured in the pic above. (BTW it’s scheduled to arrive any day.) Striking that balance of timeless and totally unexpected, this is one of those pieces that will always feel current.

--Maureen

Back in May, I wrote about the trove of vintage-inspired fashion on Shopbop, lamenting the amount of time it takes to hunt down truly brilliant, authentic vintage finds and praising our offering of new pieces made to look old. It seems our buying team heard my whine (or, more likely, understands that my fellow shoppers value a vintage score as much as I do), because in recent weeks a cache of gorgeous one-of-a-kind pieces from WGACA Vintage and Retrosun Sunglasses have mingled among contemporary offerings, making vintage shopping a question of who can click the fastest rather than who has the stamina to dig through the most bins.

At Shopbop, the vintage revolution started with What Goes Around Comes Around, a brand that scours the globe to find beautiful vintage pieces spanning decades. “We finger through their massive collection and and look for items that are right for our Shopbop girl,” says Fashion Director Kate Ciepluch. Among the finds are authentic vintage Levi’s jeans and crystal-sprayed vintage flannel shirts. But perhaps the most prized are the cluster of vintage Chanel handbags that recently made waves when they popped up in What’s New. Shannon at PurseBlog summed up the general disbelief that gave way to frenzied clicking (as I imagine it, anyway) perfectly: “No friggin’ way.” As many gals who nabbed a bag can attest: Way, Shannon. Way.

It doesn’t stop there. Retrosun offers never-worn vintage shades from the biggest brands (my faves are the vintage Dior sunglasses and vintage Gucci sunglasses pictured). And on the not-so-distant horizon loom some ’80s Rive Gauche YSL pieces, Nina Ricci, and very cool Woodstock-worthy concert tees, all from WGACA.

So my advice to you is this, vintage junkies: start shamelessly stalking What’s New now because these pieces are not to be missed.

--Amie
Shopbop Shoptalk

Autumn is just around the corner, and since our carefully chosen looks will soon be hidden under coats and jackets, that top layer had better be great. I’ve been taking stock of my wardrobe, deciding what new investment piece will best round out my collection. A few contenders:
	I adore Robert Rodriguez dresses, and this coat captures the same sophisticated-meets-sexy attitude. A style to complement an ensemble rather than obscure it, this would be ladylike over a belted dress or edgy with leather pants. Robert Rodriguez – Lace Coat
	The cozy wool will guard against the winter chill, and the moss shade will be beguiling against an ivory hat and scarf. Hanii Y – Blanche Jacket
	I love the look of boyfriend blazers, but I prefer something a little more formfitting. This blazer’s nipped waist is just right. ADAM – Double Breasted Blazer
Top off your fall look with a moto jacket, military-inspired coat, or tailored trench, from What’s New. --Tonya

For the past few months, we’ve been giving you a peek inside the creative minds of our studio stylists. But the chic chicks who dress our models aren’t the only style cognoscente working behind the scenes. Meet Shopbop photographer Cris Comello:

Suzanne: I love a man in a dashing hat! Is it vintage?

Cris: Yes, this vintage bowler is my prized possession, simply because it’s one of the only hats I can wear that makes me look good. It's a strange phenomenon, but I simply can't wear hats. A life-long struggle, ugh.
 
S: You’re one of these dudes who seems to just ooze cool. How would you describe your personal style?

C: Stylistically, I keep it really simple. I love cool denim (G-star, Diesel, Nom de Guerre, Kicking Mule Workshop) with V-neck T-shirts during the day and black button-downs at night.

S: Interesting eyewear is also your signature…

C: Having been around photo studios for close to 25 years, my eyes have become a little sensitive to flash, so I rock some Ray-Bans to ease the strain.

S: What is life like as a fashion photographer?

C: The thing I particularly love about Shopbop is the creative energy and ability to produce such a high volume of great work. Even though we aren’t working with the kind of budget Vogue does, we have found ways over the years to continually produce high-quality work. On a personal note, some of the friendships I have made here are lifelong. It's special to collaborate with our stylists, models, and design team. I think we are all extremely proud of the end product.

S: Let’s talk dream shoot: anywhere, anything, with anyone. What would it be?

C: Dream shoot? Prolly recreating a Raver party-inspired shoot with all types of circus animals and fire-breathers. Really sweaty, tight shots and lots of energy. Extremely edgy and silly all at the same time—that's my flow!

--Suzanne

* The video’s making its rounds, but if you haven’t yet watched Dave ask Anna if she’s ever put someone in a headlock or Anna suggest Dave check out Thom Browne’s short trousers, do it now. [ Fashionista ]

* Wondering how to wear the ubiquitous ankle bootie? The Guardian’s Jess Cartner-Morley offers some tips with a side of charming British accent. [ Guardian ]

* Rebecca Minkoff is a designer on a mission. She’s building an empire one handbag at a time. [ FabSugar ]

* With the publication of the Who What Wear book, Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power are taking the media world by storm, one celebrity ensemble at a time. [ WSJ ]

* Ripped leggings? Over-the-knee boots? Marbled denim? Forget 'em. The hottest trend to hit N.Y.C. is all about wheels. [ NY Times ]

* Get a kick out of Nanette Lepore this spring. The designer is doing a full range of footwear for S10. [ Fashionista ]

* Savannah Miller, sister to Sienna and the other half behind Twenty8Twelve, shares a few of her favorite things. [ Who What Wear ]

* The Rachel Zoe Project debuted this week, which meant the return of everyone’s favorite bowtied assistant, Brad. He answers questions about reality TV life, gym style, and that time he cried. [ Valet ]

* Yes, Garance, we see your lighter locks, but let's talk about that rock weighing down your left finger. Could the French photog and America's Sartorialist be engaged? [ Garance Doré ]

* Tomorrow's It girls? Style.com makes their predictions. [ Style.com ]

* Pipeline finds sartorial inspiration in the box office’s upcoming fantastical flicks. [ Pipeline ]

* (Fake) celebrity design gone terribly, terribly right. Julia Stiles like you’ve never seen her before. [ The Cut ]

Shades of green were sprinkled throughout the fall collections, and I’m loving this color. It's beautiful and succulent, but also pretty neutral, making it easy to vamp up with loads of jewelry and metallic shoes. A great dress option if you are ready to try something other than your favorite LBD. Definitely incorporate this hue into your fall look!

Here are some styles I particularly admire:

* DSQUARED2 - Jersey Dress
* Foley + Corinna - Crossback Sweatshirt
* Rachel Pally - Artemis Dress (pictured)
* Twenty8Twelve - Vivane Dress (pictured)
* Vena Cava - Synthesizer Dress (pictured)

--Kate

Fashion can be intimidating. When I picked up a pair of embellished leopard-print flats from Antik Batik a couple weeks ago, I found myself out of my black footwear comfort zone and unsure of how to style them. Luckily, Shopbop Fashion Director Kate offered tips on how to work au courant animal prints into an everyday look:

“Animal prints will forever be classic, and leopard is particularly big this fall, especially when it comes to accessories,” says Kate. “These wild prints are the perfect addition to the black, black, and more black many are gravitating toward this fall. Incorporate an animal-print shoe, handbag, or jacket into your neutral ensembles. It’s an easy equation for a look that's chic and a little rock ‘n’ roll.”

I’ll take Kate’s advice by pairing a black jersey dress with my new flats for work. For something a little sultrier but still daytime-appropriate, I’ll take my cue from the above DSQUARED2 runway look and pair exotic pumps with a tailored blazer, white button-down shirt, denim skirt, and leggings.

--Tonya

Have you ever stared blankly at your chock-full closet and felt you had nothing to wear? We’ve all felt sartorially stagnant at one time or another. The speediest way out of this slump? Buy one knockout accessory that’ll kick-start your creativity—it may just end up becoming your signature piece.
	In her trademark razor-sharp fashion, Camilla Skovgaard has redefined hellcat heels. Imagine the powerful jolt these will give to both your mood and a draped LBD. Camilla Skovgaard - Cutout Booties with Lug Sole
	Frayed tiers, uneven hems, tangled chains—the big picture for fall is disordered luxury. The melding of imperfect asymmetry and dazzling crystals makes for one covetable bauble. TOM BINNS - Faux Real Multicolor Necklace
	Whoever said beige was boring never laid eyes on this dreamy Chanel handbag. Not only an exquisite complement to fall’s neutral trend, it’s a classic to treasure for years to come. WGACA Vintage - Vintage Chanel Quilted Chain Bag
Spicy, exhilarating, deliciously decadent accessories await in What’s New. --Suzanne

Taking her inspiration from Stevie Ray Vaughan and the girls (ahem, groupies) who hung out with him, Erin Wasson’s second go at her collaboration with surf/skate/lifestyle brand RVCA is a little bit country and a whole lotta rock and roll. The model-turned-muse-turned-stylist-turned-designer offers up the kind of basics that compose the coolest of closets: her own. She’s ripped off her own signature low-key style for any rocker hip chick who cares to adopt it, and judging from the waves the latest collection has made, there are plenty.

Like Kate Moss’s coveted collections for Topshop, Erin Wasson x RVCA makes the elusive model-off-duty look accessible to fashion mortals. Witness a body-con jersey dress with a sweetheart neckline (the same frock the designer wore to the Erin Wasson x RVCA fall 2009 presentation). Paired with lace-up booties, it’s an ’80s fashion-inspired wonder. And leather short shorts give a basic white tee that rocker chic look that’s making the fall season sizzle.

And the collab won’t stop with this autumn season. Wasson will fill a slot in the Bryant Park schedule, showing in the tents for the first time. She told Teen Vogue’s Andrew Bevan the spring 2010 collection will take a step away from her signature edgy look, and incorporate lightweight fabrics in shades of pink, bronze, and ivory (inspired by her pooch, Cream). She described the collection as “less cowboy, a little bit more savage desert beast.” I have no idea what that means, Erin, but I can’t wait to find out.

--Amie

Some ladies think less is more, while others adopt a more-is-more attitude. I fall somewhere in between, and these embellished yet clean-lined pieces show why.
	Antik Batik’s haute hybrid of Parisian chic and Indian embroidery techniques always delivers wearable yet exquisitely embellished pieces. It’s no wonder designer Gabrielle Cortese has earned such a devoted following. Antik Batik – Karina Dress
	Sometimes all that stands between a basic jersey dress and a work of sartorial art is the right belt. I’ll pair this one with a draped white frock now and use it to cinch an oversized sweater come fall. Elegantly Waisted – Nyx Belt
	Distressed studs update a classic Frye style for fall ’09. These boots are made for ripped skinnies and an insouciantly sexy attitude. Frye – Deborah Studded Boots
Elaborate, enhance, and embellish your wardrobe, in What’s New. --Tonya

Fall is traditionally a season for unleashing aggression. Full-contact football replaces genteel baseball, while fashionably speaking, gauzy gowns give way to hard-hitting leather and suede. Fittingly, this season has a new muse I like to call the urban huntress: she’s intellectual, in charge, and in that Alexander Wang dress, always gets what she’s after. It’s the look of a vixenish predator that feels at once masculine-tough and jaw-droppingly sexy. Empowering? Without a doubt. Here’s how to plan your attack.

Phase 1: Acquire man-eating mini dress.
Zippers, draping, strategic cutouts—dresses are armed and dangerous this fall. Alexander Wang is your go-to designer for this modern bombshell frock: his Cage Dress, Cutout Dress (pictured), and Long Sleeve Goddess Dress are practically made for a sartorial showdown.

Phase 2: Build formidable footwear arsenal.
Killer kicks are required, and Shopbop designers do not disappoint. So deliciously intense, you almost need a license to operate Balmain boots. Giuseppe Zanotti designs for the celebrity favorite this season, elevating zippers and buckles to another stratosphere. Alexander Wang shoes have recently put their foot down at Shopbop, bringing an upscale ménage à trois of erotic, industrial, and sophisticated with them. And with a lug sole that could double as a weapon, Camilla Skovgaard proves that white cutout booties belong on the prowl (yes, even after Labor Day). 

Phase 3: Snag bad-girl bag for toting extra ammo.
In the 1940s, the on-screen femme fatale might have carried a discreet little clutch just large enough to hold a tube of scarlet lipstick and a vial of whatever wouldn’t fit into her poison ring. Today’s real-life siren needs a carryall that can hold her cache of essentials and still look as scorching as the rest of her ensemble. Sling the Alexander Wang Coco Duffel around and you’re certain to top the Most Wanted List, while Rebecca Minkoff’s iguana-embossed Nikki Bag defines drop-dead in fiery red.

--Suzanne

I know there’s a lot of hot left to be had in these final weeks of summer, but I’m officially over voile and barely there jersey and ready to move on to the delicious weight of fall fabrics. Sweater knits and tweed, felt and fleece—these have always been my closest fashion friends.
	The equivalent of a girl crush in dress form, I loved this Chris Benz frock on the hanger, and I absolutely covet it on Iskra here. Chris Benz - Cutaway 1 Sleeve Dress
	Speaking of crushes, every time a pale peach Loeffler Randall box crosses my desk, I can barely keep myself from tearing right into the tissue. This pair mingles their downtown minimalism with winter coziness. Loeffler Randall - Wendy Knit Cuff Booties
	YFB makes some of the softest fleece around, and here they’ve upped the luxe quotient by adding an elegant print silk lining. No mere cover-up, I’ll build outfits around this jacket. Young Fabulous & Broke - 7 Kay Jacket
Get in touch with fall’s best fabrics, in What’s New. --Amie

The Latest by Kate, Fashion Director

At left, Marsha in her covetable closet wearing Thayer Wide Leg Pants. At right, me in a VPL top, Ksubi shorts, and K. Jacques sandals.

Each time I watch Vicky Cristina Barcelona, I fall in love with Penelope Cruz’s character, Maria Elena, a little more. She’s nuts in the most endearing way, which I attribute to her sexy Spanish flair, insane beauty, and my favorite, her sultry style. The silks and lace in a neutral palette are often reminiscent of lingerie, and the mix of bold accessories—a fringe bag, a black fedora—is inspired. It’s a breezy, easy look that exudes confidence.

My favorite outfit is a crochet tie-back top with palazzo pants—these are seriously coming back and I’m so excited about it. Above, Thayer designer Marsha Welcher and I channel Maria Elena’s style…and TRY to never behave like her :)

You can get the sultry look by mixing dressy and casual fabrics in neutral hues and black. Here are a few pieces to get you started:

* Alice + Olivia - Draped Panel Dress
* Aridza Bross - Cheyen Multi Strap Bag
* Erin Fetherston - Sleeveless Blouse
* Eugenia Kim - Max Feather Fedora
* Haute Hippie - Bohemian Paisley Dress
* Jen's Pirate Booty - Sade Tunic Dress
* The Lake & Stars - Trick Date Camisole

--Kate

After studying Shopbop Fashion Director Kate’s tips on how to wear fall’s all-neutral trend and checking out this post about a chic assistant editor at Vogue who wears nothing but neutrals, every last shade of ivory, camel, walnut, dove, and black stood out brighter than any bold hue in today’s What’s New.
	This super-soft jersey dress may be all business in the front, but the elegantly draped back is punked up with a leather strap. I envision this one with a brown clutch and black booties. Helmut Lang – Hooded Dress
	With black satin patches on ivory silk, this frock has the mixed-neutrals thing down, and the pleats are anything but prissy with undone, frayed edges. Rag & Bone – Raw Edge Pleat Dress
	Vintage Chanel handbags are the definition of classic, and in wear-with-everything black and beige, they’re sure to be a timeless part of a modern wardrobe, too. WGACA Vintage – Vintage Chanel 2.44 Double Chain Bag
Retire your summer brights and fall for neutrals, in What’s New. --Tonya

Channeling bad-boy rockers of the ’70s with a dash of ’50s greasers, the rocker trend is the epitome of edge. Prominent on runways like Jill Stuart, Alexander Wang, and William Rast (check out our Fashion Week recap for looks), it’s about a rock-star way of life, the glory days of CBGB, the move from ultra-lounges to dive bars, the dirt under chipped manicures. It’s a little dingy, a little greasy, every array of cool, and best of all, it fits the season to a T.

How to get the look? Anything of the leather or faux fur variety is in, and the palette comes in shades of black, black, and more black. The hardware is heavy: think big buckles, bigger studs, and spiked heels to match bristled jewels. And when it comes to the legs, keep ’em skinny—leggings, skinny jeans, tights—this trend shows off sexy stems.

But, warns Shopbop Fashion Director Kate, “if you’re going to include an avant-garde rock ‘n’ roll piece in your outfit, tone down the rest.” Try layering a stretched-out tee over sequined leggings. Or give Haute Hippie’s feather vest center stage, pairing it with denim cutoffs and of-the-moment over-the-knee boots (so modern-day Penny Lane).

And if your inner rock chick is still a little shy, accessorize your way to the edge of stardom with layers of heavy chain necklaces and studded bangles. This is one area where moderation is not key. Kate says, “Don't be conservative with jewelry, especially silver—pile on the rings and bracelets.” And the one must-have in this trend? “Invest in combat boots,” says Kate. “They’ll add instant edge to any look.”

--Amie