Hair trends

Left to Right: Zac Posen, Anna Sui, Chanel, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Carolina Herrera, Jean Paul Gaultier. All styles from the Fall 2006 Ready To Wear Collections.

Hair trends for fall are relaxed and easy. Gone are the overly-coiffed, fussy styles that require lots of hair spray and styling. In their place are longer locks in deeper, richer colors. Pretty this fall means soft and subtle - complimenting and enhancing your own personal fashion sense.

Hair on the runway had a soft wave instead of being completely straight. It was often finger-combed, making the models look soft and natural. Easy center parts replaced the zigzag part and lots of designers opted for low ponytails instead of the complicated chignons, which just looked too contrived for this season.

Top Five Trends for Fall

Throwback to the Eighties

Left to Right: Behnaz Sarafpour, Thakoon, Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen. Fall 2006 Ready To Wear Collections

Ladies, dust off those leggings cause this fall they make a huge re-appearance all over the runway. They were shown alone, paired with a jacket for the brave of heart, or layered under skirts or dresses, for those of us who are not ready to put our backside on prominent display. Whether you prefer jeans or trousers, the modern silhouette for this season's pant is very lean and is cut to fit the body. Last but not least, the ankle boot is the "it" boot for fall. It is extremely versatile and was paired with everything from dresses and skirts, to pants and shorts.

Plaid

Left to Right: Burberry, Michael Kors, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs. Fall 2006 Ready To Wear Collections

Plaid was a huge trend on the runways this fall. It's no longer only a masculine pattern - women are dressing it up and making it their own. This Celtic design showed up everywhere, from pants and skirts, to vests and coats. In real life a little plaid goes a long way, but don't be afraid to have some fun and update your look by throwing some plaid into the mix.

Knits

Left to Right: Pucci, Michael Kors, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Marc Jacobs. Fall 2006 Ready To Wear Collections

Finally -- a style that's all about comfort. Big, oversized knits, from cardigans to pullovers, will keep this fall's fashion forward crowd toasty warm regardless of the weather. To give this style a bit of shape, it was sometimes shown cinched in the waist with a big buckled belt. Whether you wear it belted or open, this is one stylish option for fall that is functional as well as fashionable.

Napoleon-Inspired Styles

Left to Right: all Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2006 Ready To Wear Collection

This trend was brought on by the much-anticipated movie, Marie Antoinette, directed by the talented Sofia Coppola. Designers delivered their modernized interpretation of eighteenth century fashion by showing pieces with a military feel, inspired by Napoleon himself. We saw lots of brass buttons and distinctively tailored jackets. This trend also utilized textured fabrics like brocade, satin, velvet, and lace to add a touch of opulence and create visual interest.

Fur

Left to Right: Versace, Burberry, Ungaro, Ralph Lauren. Fall 2006 Ready To Wear Collection

Fur is back, by popular demand. The more understated looks from last fall are a thing of the past and this year, big, luxurious pieces that make an impact are taking their place. Designers were no-holds-barred this season; some even featured coats in bold colors, like electric blue and fuchsia. If a big, brightly colored fur coat is a bit too much for your taste, don't despair. Other popular options include a half-fur, half-fabric coat (as shown by Burberry), or, for a versatile layering piece, try a fur vest.