Elbow patches

Oh, elbow patches. They make a sweater a hundred times cuter and cozier. Can't you almost smell the crisp air and evening bonfires?

Here's how to make your own. Plus, pretty sweaters for a steal: ASOS, Forever 21, Zara. And splurge: Hetterson, J.Crew, Pendleton.

Elbow patches

Oh, elbow patches. They make a sweater a hundred times cuter and cozier. Can't you almost smell the crisp air and evening bonfires?

Here's how to make your own. Plus, pretty sweaters for a steal: ASOS, Forever 21, Zara. And splurge: Hetterson, J.Crew, Pendleton.

Fall trend #4: Polka dots!

The next fall trend is a fun one: polka dots! Playful and adorable, polka dots make you want to smile at passersby. I can imagine Zooey Deschanel wearing them. Thoughts? Will you wear polka dots this fall?

Here are a few lovely polka-dot pieces: small tights, big tights, a top, a dress, a silk blouse and a skirt.

(Phoos by Mr. Newton, the Locals, and Elle)

Fall trend #4: Polka dots!

The next fall trend is a fun one: polka dots! Playful and adorable, polka dots make you want to smile at passersby. I can imagine Zooey Deschanel wearing them. Thoughts? Will you wear polka dots this fall?

Here are a few lovely polka-dot pieces: small tights, big tights, a top, a dress, a silk blouse and a skirt.

(Phoos by Mr. Newton, the Locals, and Elle)

Fall trend #3: Plaid plaid plaid

Plaid is everywhere this fall. It reminds me of my Michigan days wearing flannels to the cider mill (and getting cinnamon donuts). There's nothing cuter and cozier than a guy or girl in checks; you just want to cuddle up with them. :) Will you wear plaid this fall?

Here are some adorable plaid pieces: a shirt, wool skirt, shirtdress, bomber jacket, cape and 1920's hat.

(Photos by the Sartorialist)

Fall trend #3: Plaid plaid plaid

Plaid is everywhere this fall. It reminds me of my Michigan days wearing flannels to the cider mill (and getting cinnamon donuts). There's nothing cuter and cozier than a guy or girl in checks; you just want to cuddle up with them. :) Will you wear plaid this fall?

Here are some adorable plaid pieces: a shirt, wool skirt, shirtdress, bomber jacket, cape and 1920's hat.

(Photos by the Sartorialist)

Fall trend #2: Maxi skirts

Maxi skirts are everywhere these days, and, to make the ladylike skirts even sexier, some designers have added thigh-high slits to show off some leg. Would you dare?

(Skirt above from Madewell)

Fall trend #2: Maxi skirts

Maxi skirts are everywhere these days, and, to make the ladylike skirts even sexier, some designers have added thigh-high slits to show off some leg. Would you dare?

(Skirt above from Madewell)

Fall trend #1: Colorful pants

This fall's fashion trends are really fun, so I figured I'd make a little list of them this week. First up, colorful pants! Red, yellow, blue and green jeans are everywhere right now. Would you wear them?

P.S. Four fall trends last year.

(Photo by Garance Dore)

Fall trend #1: Colorful pants

This fall's fashion trends are really fun, so I figured I'd make a little list of them this week. First up, colorful pants! Red, yellow, blue and green jeans are everywhere right now. Would you wear them?

P.S. Four fall trends last year.

(Photo by Garance Dore)

Adorable shirt

This striped shirt is a pretty twist on the ubiquitous blue-and-white French striped shirt. I'd like to wear it with jeans this fall.

(Shirt here, skirt here, shoes here)

Adorable shirt

This striped shirt is a pretty twist on the ubiquitous blue-and-white French striped shirt. I'd like to wear it with jeans this fall.

(Shirt here, skirt here, shoes here)

Men's gold watches

There's something tomboyishly sexy about a woman wearing an oversized man's watch. This Dutch cutie looks adorable in her gold watch, and I'd love to wear one with wool sweaters and elbow patches this fall. Thoughts? Would you wear one?

(Photo of Christine, via Kate)

Men's gold watches

There's something tomboyishly sexy about a woman wearing an oversized man's watch. This Dutch cutie looks adorable in her gold watch, and I'd love to wear one with wool sweaters and elbow patches this fall. Thoughts? Would you wear one?

(Photo of Christine, via Kate)

EmersonMade's fall collection

Emerson gets it just right every time.

EmersonMade's fall collection

Emerson gets it just right every time.

Do or don't: Boat shoes this fall

What kind of shoes do you wear in the fall? I usually wear flats, but I'm hoping for a new look. So I was psyched to see these boat shoes on Tomboy Style. They're cool and tomboy-ish, and I've spotted super chic women wearing them around New York. Thoughts? Would you wear them?

From top: Bass, $119; L.L. Bean Signature, $69; L.L. Bean, $49; Bass, $119.

(By the fantastic Tomboy Style)

Do or don't: Boat shoes this fall

What kind of shoes do you wear in the fall? I usually wear flats, but I'm hoping for a new look. So I was psyched to see these boat shoes on Tomboy Style. They're cool and tomboy-ish, and I've spotted super chic women wearing them around New York. Thoughts? Would you wear them?

From top: Bass, $119; L.L. Bean Signature, $69; L.L. Bean, $49; Bass, $119.

(By the fantastic Tomboy Style)

Eight cool backpacks

When I was in college, I wore a nerdy green backpack, but ten years later, backpacks are back! They're actually considered cool in New York right now (for real), and they're comfy and perfect for bike rides, laptops, weekend trips, and baby stuff. What do you think? Would you wear a backpack?

1. Farm rucksack, $160.
2. Canoe pack, $195. (More on amazon.)
3. Striped fleece backpack, $58.
4. Classic backpack, $85.
5. Leather backpack, $450.
6. Tie-dyed backpack, $58.
7. Laptop bag, $110. (Cool in Sweden.)
8. Heritage backpack, $55.

Thoughts? xo

(Graphic design by Jennifer Hagler for Cup of Jo)

Eight cool backpacks

When I was in college, I wore a nerdy green backpack, but ten years later, backpacks are back! They're actually considered cool in New York right now (for real), and they're comfy and perfect for bike rides, laptops, weekend trips, and baby stuff. What do you think? Would you wear a backpack?

1. Farm rucksack, $160.
2. Canoe pack, $195. (More on amazon.)
3. Striped fleece backpack, $58.
4. Classic backpack, $85.
5. Leather backpack, $450.
6. Tie-dyed backpack, $58.
7. Laptop bag, $110. (Cool in Sweden.)
8. Heritage backpack, $55.

Thoughts? xo

(Graphic design by Jennifer Hagler for Cup of Jo)