Cape Town…

Nicole Richie Candid taken earlier this year.
Brandy leaving the "Project Runway" Season 3 Finale show, during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2007, in September at The Tent, Bryant Park in NYC.
Jessica Alba arriving at Crown Royal and Tab Energy Drink's Cool Down Post Award Season Party hosted by director Paul Haggis and Ludacris at the Beverly Towers Penthouse earlier this year in LA.
Rachel Roy at Damon Dash’s birthday party with a performance by Alice Smith and Citizen Cope in May of this year in NYC.

Volume is still in this season. Think oversized jackets and coats, puffball skirts and chunky knits. In the spirit of layering, capes provide the ultimate cover-up and offer an edgy alternative to the conventional jacket. If a straight cape is too ‘Superman meets Friar Tuck’ for you, then consider a jacket/cape instead (see Jessica Alba and Rachel Roy). See below for ideas on how to join these cape crusaders!

My Picks!

Left to Right: Twill Cape Jacket, $29.80, www.forever21.com; One Button Swing Jacket, $26.50, www.wetseal.com; Cropped trench-style jacket, $49, www.newport-news.com; Cropped Twill Cape by Chloe, $2175, www.net-a-porter.com
Left to Right: Satin Cape Jacket, $44.80, www.forever21.com; Tweed Swing Jacket, $24.50, www.wetseal.com; Wool Cape Jacket, $44.80, www.forever21.com; Double Breasted Cape by Karen Zambos Vintage Couture, $418, www.shopbop.com

Wearing shorter capes, like the grey one from Forever 21, absolutely requires layering. It isn’t getting any warmer, and as cute as it is, beauty shouldn’t always equal pain. So for a warmer winter, opt for a fuller cape or an actual jacket with voluminous sleeves to create the illusion of a cape. Team with jeans and knee length boots for the perfect look.

What Say We?... Yay or Nay?!

Ciara appearing at Nike's Air Force 1 All-Star 25th Anniversary at Gotham Hall on Sunday in New York City.

Remember when Ciara first landed on the scene? Her fashion sense was questionable and her hair weave busted… Look at her now! I think this outfit is so cute, but I wanted to get your opinion on it. Does it pass the 'Yay or Nay' test or does it scream ‘Fashion Victim’? I’m giving her a YAY; consider it a compliment Ciara, they’re hard to come by!

Style on the Go...

Christina Milian attending the unveiling of Patrick Dougherty's Outdoor Artwork hosted by Max & Lubov Azria and Eva Mendes to benefit Environmental Defense at the Max Azria Boutique last week in LA.
Michelle Williams arriving at Paramount Pictures' premiere of "Dreamgirls" held at the Wilshire Theatre last night in Beverly Hills.
Tatyana Ali at the world premiere of Columbia Pictures' and the AFI Associates' "The Pursuit of Happyness" last week in Culver City, California.
Vanessa Williams arriving at the premiere of "Blood Diamond" held at Grauman's Chinese Theater last week in Hollywood.

Tatyana Ali is currently working on the movie “Nora's Hair Salon II” (did I miss Nora's Hair Salon I?) She looks great in this dress and I think she’s lost a little weight. Tatyana was out supporting her 'big brother’ Will Smith at the premiere of his new movie. It’s good to see her back in the game.

I love Christina Milian’s dress by Max Azria. She was at the unveiling of a large art installation by artist, Patrick Dougherty, outside Max Azria’s LA boutique. She absolutely killed it with that dress and the accessories – A definite YAY!

Michelle Williams hasn’t been on the red carpet for a while, but she’s back with a vengeance. She picked the perfect gown for the event. According to Wikipedia.com Michelle is due to release her third studio album in 2007. It's rumored to venture away from her previous gospel efforts and take a more commercial Soul/R’n’B route. As much as I like her, I’m not holding my breath. :(

I’m getting used to seeing Vanessa Williams without locs, this hair style really suits her. And can you believe she’s the mother of two children? That body tells a different story. As well as starring in three movies next year, including “Contradictions of the Heart” with Wendy Raquel Robinson and Lisa Raye, she’s apparently working on an music album. Her and Halle Berry need to take a minute and think it about… that’s all I’m sayin’!

Stylesse.com

Style + Finesse = Stylesse, the funky online boutique that sells handbags and apparel with a vibrant flair. Ms. Stylesse, the designer behind the label, uses retro prints, rare patterns and exuberant colors to create her clutches and bags, each one distinguishing itself from the next. After constant, outside affirmation, Ms. Stylesse left her conventional job in the business world and pursued her long-life dream of working in fashion. She says:

“I was complimented often on the bags that I carried, and friends and strangers couldn’t believe that I made them myself! I knew it was something I had to pursue.”

Visit www.stylesse.com to become the next lady of ‘stylesse.’

Buy Yourself a Christmas Gift… Or Two ;)

Above: Bella Top by BelleNoelle, $65, www.etsy.com. Click here.**
Jacket: Oh le pied-de-poule Jacket by Ten Little Fingers $66, (Click here)
Bag: Embroided Floral Purse by Aquiltred Treasure, $13, (Click here)
Earrings: Cute Blossom Earrings by MadameBijoux, $9.50 (Click here) all available at www.etsy.com

As if our shopping addiction wasn’t bad enough, a reader/designer (BelleNoelle) was kind enough to tell me about this great site called Etsy.com… Get ready to spend like never before. Think Ebay, without the bidding. Or Amazon, without the books. Etsy.com is the digital version of a fashion market, full of humble designers, selling their hand and homemade pieces at exceptional prices. See my picks in the photos above.

Each seller/designer has an online boutique, but you can jump from one to the other adding things to your shopping cart. The site doesn’t just house clothing and accessories; you can also buy furnishings, stationary and art. Click here to view Etsy’s showroom where sellers pick their favorite pieces by fellow designers on the site.

**UPDATE** Readers who contact BelleNoelle through etsy.com with this code: "trend-fashion-today" will recieve $10 off any purchase in her shop until January 1, 2007.

Layer Cake…

The Sartorialist is out and about even in the winter months and he captured this young lady dressed fabulously for the season.
Cardigan: Beth, $89.50, www.abercrombie.com; Top: Lurex Sweater Knit Top, $18.50, www.wetseal.com; Vest: Perfect Fit Tanks, $8.50, www.oldnavy.com; Jeans: Slate Flap Pocket Jean, $44, www.hotkiss.com; Clutch: Python Red Carpet Emmy Clutch, $44.99, www.fashionflairs.com; Boots: Leather Knee High Boot, $150, www.urbanoutfitters.com; Bangle: Snakeskin Bangle, $15, www.oohboutique.com; Belt: Faux Snake Skin Belt, $8.80, www.forever21.com; Earrings: Antique Silvertone Drop Hoop Earrings with Filigree Beads, $15.99, www.target.com
Top: Chiffon Floral Top, $15.80, www.forever21.com; Turtleneck: Ribbed Turtleneck, $11.80, www.forever21.com; Hat: Knit Beret, $10.80, www.forever21.com; Belt: Snakeskin Stretch Belt, $30, www.shopintuition.com; Coat: Double Breasted Tweed Trench Coat, $49, www.hotkiss.com; Jeans: Vintage Wash Jean, $34.80, www.forever21.com; Necklace: Ladylike Oval Cutout Necklace, $38, www.xoxo.com; Boots: Holiday Bottie, $39.50, www.alloy.com; Earrings: Margaux Faux Pearl and Cubic Zirconia, $7.19, www.target.com
Cardigan: Oversized Cropped Sweater, $24.99, www.charlotte-russe.com; Top: Stripe Heart Tube Top, $14.50, www.wetseal.com; Bag: Modern Loop Gusto Style Shopper, $39, www.akostyle.com; Skirt: Tweed Skirt, ref 7835/476 by Zara; Shoes: Baby Cakes Skimmer, $49.50, www.alloy.com; Earrings: Azure Chandelier Leverback, $12.99, www.target.com; Scarf: Wrinkled Lurex Scarf, $18.00, www.urbanoutfitters.com

I don’t do cold. Give me high temperatures and stifling humidity over frostbite any day. I really shouldn’t complain though; it’s been pretty mild here in D.C. It started to feel like winter just two weeks ago. To combat the dropping temperatures I’m layering my clothes to create the perfect winter chic look. The trick is to pick lighter fabrics so that you don’t end up feeling (and looking) like a football player. Keep your thickest tops, cardigans and obviously coats, for the outermost layer. And if you can pull it off, throw on some sunglasses… Only a few of us can rock them in the winter without looking retarded! (See photo above).