New Style Rules

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

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

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

At left: Lucy Liu in Dior shoes

Buck the trend to trim yourtresses. But condition so yourlocks are as lush as Halle Berry's (at left). Welike Pantene Pro-V BeautifulLengths conditioner, $4;at drugstores.

It’s time to rethink thejacket for fall-3.1 PhillipLim, Diane von Furstenberg and CalvinKlein all showedsleeveless ones as abold new option.

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

Last year: matching tights and ankleboots. This season: different hues foryour heels, tights and-perProenza Schouler-your gem-tone shift.

At left: Proenza Schouler, Fall 2008

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.

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

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;

Mom alwayssaid a coat should hit right ata dress?s hem, but for once she?swrong. Designers have beenflouting the rule with renewedvigor this season-andyou should too.

At left: Katherine Heigl

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

Think Edwardian heroinemeets British schoolboy and wear chiffon rufflesalongside gray glen plaidwith abandon.

At left: Chloe, Fall 2008

A sparkly cami underyour pinstripes justmakes work more fun.

At left: Taylor Swift

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

At left: Nicole Richie

Sounds old-fashioned,right? It?s not when youput giant cuffs with awow-of-a-necklace.

At left: Balenciaga, Fall 2008

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

At left: Victoria Beckham

...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

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.

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

At left: Claudia Schiffer

Soft blues, pretty pinks and minty greensaren?t only for spring. Designers suchas Chris Benz and Marc Jacobs switched upfall?s predictably dark palette with woolbeauties in sherbet hues. Wear the softstuff in eighties-inspired silhouettes like thisvoluminous coat. Or go "sexy secretary"with a pastel bow-front satin blouse.

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

Release them from their bad rapas figure detractors: In a fittedtop, with leggings and heels, theydo good things for your curves (and have classic cool too).

At left: Mariah Carey