New Style Rules

Marc Susset-Lacroix/WireImage

New Style Rules

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Let Your Roots Show

Billy Farrell/Patrick McMullan/Sipa Press

A dark part used to mean you missed a salon visit. But imperfection can be cool, provided roots are only a few shades away from your highlights.

At left: Gwyneth Paltrow

2 of 21

Go Short for Black Tie

INF Goff

Yes, you can wear an LBD in a formal setting, but choose one with a beautiful detail such as a giant satin bow or a graceful tulip hem.

At left: Charlize Theron in Christian Lacroix

3 of 21

Stay in Sandals

Jun Sato/WireImage

No need to retire them yet. Strappy footwear looks great for fall with dark stockings (as do peep-toe pumps).

At left: Lucy Liu in Dior shoes

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Grow Out Your Hair at 40

2008 RockinExposures/Elevation Photos

Buck the trend to trim your tresses. But condition so your locks are as lush as Halle Berry's (at left). We like Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths conditioner, $4; at drugstores.

5 of 21

Go Sleeveless

Steve Sands/Bauer-Griffin

It’s time to rethink the jacket for fall-3.1 Phillip Lim, Diane von Furstenberg and Calvin Klein all showed sleeveless ones as a bold new option.

At left: Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of Sex and the City.

6 of 21

Don't Match Your Stockings to Your Shoes

Maria Valentino/MCV Photos

Last year: matching tights and ankle boots. This season: different hues for your heels, tights and-per Proenza Schouler-your gem-tone shift.

At left: Proenza Schouler, Fall 2008

7 of 21

Pick a Print That Makes You Look Slimmer

Time Inc. Digital Studio

Especially if it comes in the form of a flirty little camisole with strategically placed panels to streamline your figure.

At left: Silk Blackberry patched cami, Rebecca Taylor, $250; 914-793-0737.

8 of 21

Step Out in Colorful Lace

Michael Caronna/Reuters/Landov

Fashion insiders normally find it tacky, but on the fall runways of Prada and Jean Paul Gaultier, the styles looked chic in orange, teal and chocolate hues.

At left: Maggie Gyllenhaal in Gaultier Paris

9 of 21

Mix Your Metals

Time Inc. Digital Studio

That old adage of wearing only silver or gold is gone: An armful of bangles in both-the shinier the ores the better-suddenly feels right.

At left: 18kt-gold Horsebit bracelet, Gucci, $3,990; gucci.com.
Matte sterling-?silver Regal bracelet, Gorjana, $170; gorjana.com.
Leather cuff, Juicy Couture, $58; 646-336-8151.
Vermeil Drop It bangles, Jules Smith, $237/2; julessmithdesigns.com.
Gold-plated and sterling-silver Bali bangles, Gorjana, $115 each; gorjana.com.
Hammered sterling-silver Regal bracelet, Gorjana, $170; gorjana.com.

10 of 21

Fret No More About Hemlines

Dan Herrick/Zuma

Mom always said a coat should hit right at a dress?s hem, but for once she?s wrong. Designers have been flouting the rule with renewed vigor this season-and you should too.

At left: Katherine Heigl

11 of 21

Let Your Brows Go Natural

Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic

Overly arched is out: The look is thicker but well groomed, like Camilla Belle?s (at left). Try Trish McEvoy Brow Builder gel pen, $32; nordstrom.com.

12 of 21

Marry Prints and Tweeds

Maria Valentino/MCV Photos

Think Edwardian heroine meets British schoolboy and wear chiffon ruffles alongside gray glen plaid with abandon.

At left: Chloe, Fall 2008

13 of 21

Don Sequins During the Day

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

A sparkly cami under your pinstripes just makes work more fun.

At left: Taylor Swift

14 of 21

Line Your Lower Lash Line

Steve Granitz/WireImage

But not in black: Go for a charcoal, taupe or even a mossy green. Try Pop Beauty In-Liner, $16; at sephora.com.

At left: Nicole Richie

15 of 21

Match Your Necklace and Bracelets

Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images

Sounds old-fashioned, right? It?s not when you put giant cuffs with a wow-of-a-necklace.

At left: Balenciaga, Fall 2008

16 of 21

Tease Your Hair Tall

Eamonn McCormack/WireImage

Smooth, flat-ironed hair has been the rule for years, but big hair looked fab on the runways at Christian Dior, where John Galliano orchestrated back-combed 'dos, and at Moschino, where curls were teased into beehives. So grab your fine-toothed comb: You want the lift at the top and back of the head, teasing roots outward several inches. The look is sixties retro, so modernize it with soft curls below the uplift.

At left: Victoria Beckham

17 of 21

Be a Free Spirit

Time Inc. Digital Studio

...with fragrance, that is. The concept of having just one signature scent is a tad dated. What’s fresher is to put your favorites in rotation-one day a citrus, the next, a floral.

At left: Daisy Marc Jacobs eau de parfum $72/1.7 oz.; at Bloomingdale's
Burberry the Beat, $62/1.7 oz.; nordstrom.com
Miller Harris Le Petit Grain, $220/3.4 oz.; at Saks Fifth Avenue

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Swap Your Skinny Jeans for Pleated Trousers

Johns PkI/SplashNewsOnline.com

Try on a pair of fall's tailored pants and notice how the lower waist and trim legs are more flattering than you would think.

19 of 21

Belt Everything But Your Pants

Fame Pictures

Cinch a narrow belt over an evening jacket (as seen on fall runways).

At left: Claudia Schiffer

20 of 21

Rock Pastels All Year

Time Inc. Digital Studio

Soft blues, pretty pinks and minty greens aren?t only for spring. Designers such as Chris Benz and Marc Jacobs switched up fall?s predictably dark palette with wool beauties in sherbet hues. Wear the soft stuff in eighties-inspired silhouettes like this voluminous coat. Or go "sexy secretary" with a pastel bow-front satin blouse.

At left: Tropical-wool coat, Chris Benz, $1,175; at Neiman Marcus.

21 of 21

Wear Horizontal Stripes on Top

Marc Susset-Lacroix/WireImage

Release them from their bad rap as figure detractors: In a fitted top, with leggings and heels, they do good things for your curves (and have classic cool too).

At left: Mariah Carey

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New Style Rules

1 of 21

Let Your Roots Show

1 of 21

2 of 21

Go Short for Black Tie

2 of 21

3 of 21

Stay in Sandals

3 of 21

4 of 21

Grow Out Your Hair at 40

4 of 21

5 of 21

Go Sleeveless

5 of 21

6 of 21

Don't Match Your Stockings to Your Shoes

6 of 21

7 of 21

Pick a Print That Makes You Look Slimmer

7 of 21

8 of 21

Step Out in Colorful Lace

8 of 21

9 of 21

Mix Your Metals

9 of 21

10 of 21

Fret No More About Hemlines

10 of 21

11 of 21

Let Your Brows Go Natural

11 of 21

12 of 21

Marry Prints and Tweeds

12 of 21

13 of 21

Don Sequins During the Day

13 of 21

14 of 21

Line Your Lower Lash Line

14 of 21

15 of 21

Match Your Necklace and Bracelets

15 of 21

16 of 21

Tease Your Hair Tall

16 of 21

17 of 21

Be a Free Spirit

17 of 21

18 of 21

Swap Your Skinny Jeans for Pleated Trousers

18 of 21

19 of 21

Belt Everything But Your Pants

19 of 21

20 of 21

Rock Pastels All Year

20 of 21

21 of 21

Wear Horizontal Stripes on Top

21 of 21

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