Giorgio Armani | Derek Lam | Philosophy | Araks | Lyn Devon | Marni

Do you remember gaucho pants? They were these horrid loose knit pants with wide legs that ended mid-calf and were all the rage in the mid-2000s. I remember them vividly because I was in middle school—a time when it is so easy to succumb to peer pressure—and gaucho pants were the trend of the pre-teen. Even back then I hated them, and it was then that I learned that just because something is trendy it doesn't mean it's a good look.

Anyways, I bring up gaucho pants because lately the culotte has made a serious comeback. Upon first glance the culotte and the gaucho pant are virtually the same: wide leg pants/shorts that end anywhere from the knee to the ankle. But the culotte is the chic older cousin of the gaucho pant, and somehow I love it while still despising the gaucho pant.

It's all in the material, and, as always, what the culotte is styled with. I'm sure Leandra Medine could have made gaucho pants look stylish with her amazing talent to create unique looks, just as a pair of culottes could go horribly awry with the wrong pairings.

In my humble opinion culottes work best with structured box tops and heels. If you want to be daring you can play up the oversized proportions by adding an oversized sweater, but for a polished, work-appropriate look I would stick with some structure and balance. Heels add sophistication to the outfit, but a smart pair of loafers or oxfords could work nicely.

Leandra Medine | Street Style | Street Style | Eleanora Carisi | Christine Reehorst

There is certainly potential for cool looks with a pair of culottes. And with winter approaching they're a nice alternative to boring structured pants if you are yearning for a break from them. 

The arrival of cooler weather often leads people to find out how to best stay comfy and cozy with their clothing choices. The lazy individual will reach for a sweatshirt and some boots and call it a day, but we fashionistas know better. There is, after all, a way to stay comfy and cute.

And so the fashion gods decided shearling would be the trendy texture of the season. Thank goodness! Ugg boots are almost acceptable again (keyword: almost) and there are plenty of options if you are looking to add some shearling to your look.

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Are you ready to give shearling a try, or is this a trend that you'll watch from afar?

Image Source: Style Du Monde

It's October 3rd (On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was. It's October 3rd). The smell of pumpkin spices wafts through the air and girls everywhere are preparing their loose-knit sweaters and infinity scarves for the moment that the leaves start to change and they can instagram nature at its most beautiful. Yes, it seems that fall is officially upon us.

Here in Los Angeles there aren't many trees that fade into oranges and reds before the winter, and sweater weather is still a long ways away–its supposed to be in the 90s all weekend, after all–but still there is a part of me, even, that waits with anticipation for the seasons to change, because the beginning of fall means one thing for me: boots.

I love boots. Flat boots, heeled boots, long boots, short boots, black boots, brown boots. Call me the Dr. Seuss of close-toed footwear. Boots are actually great. And the best part is, with the right styling tools you can wear them long before the mercury dips below 60 (which is as cold as it will ever get here in southern California anyways).

What styles am I most fond of for 2014, you may ask? My current pick is the over-the-knee boot, a tricky style that when worn right makes any outfit look sultry and sexy. I always think of a chic Soviet spy in a James Bond movie, a femme fatale in skin-tight black suede boots that hit at mid-thigh, with a sliver of skin showing between the top of her boot and her black silk cocktail dress. But I digress.

The main point is, over-the-knee boots have the power to make you look really, really cool, so if there is one boot to invest in this fall/winter, make it this style.

Here are some of my favorite over-the-knee boots to shop from:

Photo by Sergi Mengot (via domainehome.com)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Pear, Vanilla and Smoke Cakes by Wild Flour Bakery (source) ; Matieres a Reflexion Paris Charlotte Sometime pony scarf (source) ; backstage at Gucci FW2012 (source) ; Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes (source) ; Half-up, half-down hairdo (source) ; Menswear shoes and mustard socks (source)

Whoever said Christmas was the only holiday designers could sell seasonal merchandise for? This year, plenty of designers are delivering up delightful treats for Halloween! Splurge on these Halloween-themed pieces and perfect costume accessories if you dare!

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Olympia le-Tan Dracula embroidered book clutch; Charlotte Olympia "Trick or Treat" embroidered suede slippers; Jennifer Behr spider hair pin; Kenzo eye-print leather mini-skirt; Erickson Beamon gold-plated and crystal mask; ALL FROM NET-A-PORTER.COM

One of my favorite blogs during the autumn season has got to be Moon and Trees, a tumblr that always fills me with plenty of inspiration for fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and all the rest of the season. Especially because Southern California lacks that sort of leaves-changing-color feel, Hannah's blog helps me get into the spirit of fall!

So if you need any fall inspiration, definitely turn to Hannah's tumblr! It'll make you start craving some pumpkin spice lattes and cozy knit sweaters.

Rain can be a tricky thing. Just come to Los Angeles, where traffic times are doubled and everyone acts like the sky is falling - isn't it, though? On USC's campus it feels deserted - half of the students just don't show up once the water starts pouring - and no one is quite prepared for this odd discrepancy in the normal 70-degrees-and-sunny weather we are used to. Consider the fact that it was over 90 just this Sunday (yeah, the temperature dropped by thirty degrees, which is crazy in normal circumstances) and we've got a crisis situation.

How does one switch from tank tops and sandals to jackets and boots so quickly? I don't even have all my coats with me here at school, I didn't even consider the fact that it might get - dare I say it - cold until at least Thanksgiving break.

But whether we like it or not, Los Angeles has officially entered into fall, which means we should probably start dressing like it.

SOURCE one; two; three

Dressing for bad weather doesn't mean you have to look bad. There are so many ways to rock a coat, and no matter what style you lean towards, you can totally be dressed for rain while also looking amazing!

Personally, I love coats in bright patterns or lighter colors. People tend to lean towards blacks and greys when the clouds get grey, but keeping bright when the weather is not so great can act as an artificial ray of sunshine! I love pairing an oversized coat with black skin-tight jeans and ankle boots, too. It makes you look fabulous and ready to take on the day, no matter the temperature!