Today’s Outfit Idea: A Neutral Palette That Pops

All right, all you ladies who push your style aside because you’re too dang busy just trying to get your kids or your partner or yourself out the door in the morning – the Fastionista is here to ease your style fear.

I love bright colors, but I also like playing around with neutral color combinations. I’ve learned that as long as I have enough visual interest going on with the rest of my style elements (pattern, texture, and shine), I can tone down the color without looking bland. So here’s what’s in my closet today:

· Light Brown Mini Skirt: My mini is a heavier knit, perfect for a chilly January day, and has a gold beaded embellishment that adds a touch of shine. As with most of my minis, a longer version as an A-line skirt would work here, too. Since it is on the colder side today, I’m going to wear a light tan stocking that’s just a touch deeper than my natural skin color. Leggings would be too heavy for the look I’m trying to achieve, and a black stocking would distract too much from the rest of my ensemble.

· White Blouse with Corset-Style Detail: Any white blouse would work with this look, not just with all of its elements but also within the work environment, but I want to add a little something extra to my outfit, so I’m wearing a blouse with a corset-style lace-up backing and shirttail hem. The back detail plays off of a tailored cut, enhancing my natural silhouette, and the shirttail hem is almost reminiscent of a peplum—both trending styles right now.

· Accessories: Normally I might wear a completer jacket or blazer with this outfit, especially given the cooler temps, but I don’t want to hide that lace-up detailing on my blouse. So instead I’ll drape a black crocheted pashmina around my shoulders. The mesh-like patterning is a nod to this spring's mesh trend, and I’m also adding another texture to my ensemble. I’ll wear a black and tan headband as well, and then finish with a chunky gold fashion ring with red and purple beading (I’ve got to get at least a smidgen of color in).

· Purse: And for even more of a color shock, I’ll carry my red slouchy shoulder bag. The red plays off the same shade in my ring.

· SHOES!: Echoing the black I’ve got going on up top in my outfit, I’ll wear a black patent leather pump with a pointy toe. Simple, yet oh-so-sleek!

Voila! There you have it: great fashion fast. And you, gorgeous lady, are ready to take on the world, Fastionista Style!

Be ahead of the trend and work these styles into your ensemble before they hit the mainstream.

Today’s Trend: Pre-fall 2012

Yep – the designers are already looking forward to fall, even though we just got done with it. “Pre-fall” refers to collections shown before the traditional February Fashion Week, which will focus more widely on fall collections. Expect more of the feminine styles that have been on a steady crescendo since September’s Fashion Week, when we started to see soft fabrics, silhouette cuts, and ultra-fem jewelry for spring/summer 2012. “Bold” will be a key word, too: bold prints and patterns, bold colors, and bold cuts are all the rage (check out this outfit from Diane von Furstenberg). A lot of this will blend nicely from the spring/summer trends, which we can dive right into now even though the calendar—and the weather—say we’re still far from the real springtime. Work a highly textured turtleneck or splashy bright scarf into your figure-hugging outfit, or, if you really feel like making a statement, swap out your black wool full-length for a tribal-print peacoat.