Genius Style: Trendy Pieces Under $55 that Work from Fall 2012 to Spring 2013

• Leather pants: Besides the fact that skin-tight leather pants are totally sexy, you’ll get good use out of these guys. Leather was everywhere in spring, and they’ll be perfect for a night out. You can get away with wearing them often during the day (Maybe not to work but shopping? Totally) in the fall. Pair with a leather jacket for an edgier look; a loose sweater for a casual chic look; a blazer for a pulled-together look.
• Lace skirt: Not only is lace perfectly feminine and delicate, it’s mega current. The pencil skirt silhouette and texture work perfectly together. Try with other nude pieces to fit the monochrome look, or pair with a studded black leather biker jacket for a sexy, edgy, yet feminine, appeal.
• White leather jacket: The white is crisp and refreshing and balances the edginess of the cut. Check out a picture of the jacket on a model here; it’s a bit more telling. Wear with all white for a fresh white-out look. Don’t be afraid to try that in winter, for a snow-queen-winter-white appeal. If you’re not into the white, pick up a cropped black leather biker jacket, and you’ll be just fine.
• Thick leather belt: Finally! A thick waist belt makes your waist look impossibly thin, encouraging heaving curves, while maintaining an air of timeless vintage. You’ll be wearing this long past spring 2013–you’ll love how quickly it makes you look feminine and put-together. Check out the inspiration from NYFW Spring 2013.
• White blazer: Surely we’ve talked enough about blazers on here already, correct? Wrong, dear readers. Crisp white suits populated the runways at fashion week, so invest in a white blazer to lighten strong pieces (think leather pants or skirt), or layer over other whites (dress, white pants/skirt + white top).
• Leather skirt: What more can I say? Black leather + pencil skirt silhouette. Pair with more feminine tops and nude pumps for a balanced look, or go all out with a leather jacket and spiked bracelet for an edgier night out. This skirt isn’t genuine leather, but it’s thick enough to not look like those awful super stretchy “liquid” leather leggings. It’ll pass. In spring, you can even get away with a simple crop top, so long as you make sure the skirt covers your navel. Sure, there were a few bellybuttons on the runways, but this just isn’t the 90s, y’all. Save it for the beach, or if you ever get case on Jersey Shore.
• Pleated leather-look skirt: This is everything your black leather pencil skirt isn’t: short, fun, a bit more casual, but still totally current. Having both of these in your wardrobe would be killer, but  one or the other will do. Luckily, if you buy from this list, you can afford both! The black pencil is the more traditional trend (oxy moron?), but the brown pleated is a tad innovative and definitely sassy. Keep an eye out for a better quality piece, but this will definitely work. Pair with a long-sleeved crewneck cashmere sweater, black lace-patterned tights, and mid-calf lace-up high-heeled boots in the fall; a loose white tank or silk box-cut tee in the spring. Add a blazer for chillier nights.
• White leather vest: This piece works well in several ways: layer it over other whites for an edgier monochromatic white-out look, or add to skinny jeans and a black tank to make a casual outfit something special. Try with a pencil skirt (the leather pencil would be a-ma-zing) and a white or blue silk tank + nude pumps, and you’re a sex goddess.
• White peplum dress: Peplum appeared several times on the spring 2013 runway, so invest in a good, solid piece this fall. White works when layered with other white pieces for the white-out look, and would be smokin’ with a pair of knee- or thigh-high brown high-heeled boots. The best part? Though the peplum silhouette is trendy, the dress itself boasts a classic vintage-inspired appeal, so you’re unlikely to regret indulging in a bit of peplum in a year when tutu-silhouettes are where it’s at.
• Good leather jacket: I’m not totally sure you can get a really good leather jacket for under $55, but you can get something cute that will work well until you save up to invest. I’ve been rocking a PU leather jacket for the last four years, after my great leather jacket ripped. It’s nothing to sneer it. Try this one from sheinside.com. The cut is right, and it doesn’t look cheap, thanks to a thick fabric and plenty of zipper embellishments.
• High-low sheer skirt: To my surprise, high-low hemlines were still rampant on the spring 2013 runways. This particular cut seemed to be a particular favorite, and it incorporates the sheer trend, which is just plain sexy. The understated appeal is a classic and can be paired with tights in fall, since, after all, it’s the silhouette of your legs that works the skirt. Luckily, this is one of those great pieces that looks money, whether you spent $845 on it, or $48.
• Lace crop top: Oh, midriffs. Can I really wear you in public? We’ll see, but I’m grateful the predominant midriffs bared are navel-less, which creepily reminds me of the Dominque Swain-version of Lolita. Try this with a high-waisted floral skater skirt–or even pencil–in the spring; over a simple little black dress in the fall. Feeling daring? Try it on with the leather pencil. Even if you don’t show much skin, the texture from the lace will help an outfit–especially if you layer whites.
• Split maxi: I am the proud, proud owner of this skirt, and, because I care about you, I’m going to tell you something quite serious: Go. Buy. This. Every time I wear this out, I get approximately fourteen compliments per hour, from total strangers. It’s so unexpected (or is now, at least; I can’t guarantee they won’t be on every high-school student from here to 90210 by spring), yet sexy in a classic way. Slits were everywhere on the spring 2013 runways, and I couldn’t be happier. You can wear this slit to either side, or in the middle. Thank you, Angelina. I’m convinced you made this happen.
• Slouchy grey pullover: Inspired by casual menswear, grey is a winner for fall and spring. Pair this with the leather pencil, leather pleated, white cigarette pants, a pair of boyfriend jeans, the lace pencil…. When could this be bad? Paired with grey sweatpants, maybe. But it’d actually probably be OK with a slim pair of black sweatpants. That’s money.
• White cigarette pants: Probably a good idea to have in your closet anywhere, these take you to the white-out trend in a heartbeat, without sacrificing an ounce of class. I prefer a cigarette cut, but if you’re really into the menswear thing, pick up a pair of trousers. Not doing white-out this particular day? Pair with a boxy black tank and white leather vest in the spring; slim black sweater and military-inspired cape in the fall. You won’t be throwing these out any time soon.
• Lace bandeau: Inspired explicitly by this look in BCBG Max Azria, try this lace bandea beneath a infinity wrap dress for a bit of feminine lace and cutout, all in one. If this is a bit much to spend on a “maybe” piece, try this one. It cost me $1.99.
• Peplum top: Again, this peplum piece is not so peplummy that it will be regrettable. The low back adds a sex appeal to the über-feminine peplum silhouette. Try with a biker jacket for an unexpected reveal, when you remove the outerwear; with the leather pencil skirt for an undeniable elegance and man-in-black cool; in white with the white cigarette pants and blazer for a feminine take on white-out.
• Floral skirt: Floral remains! Spotted often on the spring 2013 in several different variations, floral will be here deep into next year. This floral is dark enough to work in the fall, but fresh enough to work well in the spring, too. Feel free to pick any floral you like, though. I like tight-waisted skirts like this with breeze silk tanks, but you can pair it with almost anything. The white leather biker jacket would be a perfect fit.
• Grey geometric shift dress: Geometric prints are major for spring 2013, and this black and white number will work for either season easily. Belt it around the waist for a more feminine look and pair with a leather jacket or slouchy grey pullover. Leave the shift silhouette for a more 60s-mod look.
• Cobalt cut-out maxi dress: The deep blue of this maxi is perfect for both fall and spring, depending on how you dress it up or down. The maxi length and middle twist/cutout-look will be here for another year, and the cobalt is big for spring. In the early fall, pair with a simple cardigan to take you from summer to fall; deeper in fall, pair with heels and a leather biker jacket; in the spring, dress it down again with flat sandals and layered bracelets.

Have you started buying for fall? Are you investing in any good pieces this year?