All photos via GQ.com

January and February always prove to be the most boring months when it comes to your wardrobe. Your current clothes feel so…tired, and it is still too cold to break out your new warm weather duds. If the anticipation of spring is too much to bear, why not jazz up your wardrobe with trends from Fall 2012? Temporarily bypassing spring is a great way to keep your look fashion forward while still remaining cold weather appropriate.

Perhaps the easiest and most effective way to wake up your current look is to top it off with a hat. Hats add character, panache, and interest to any outfit. They show the world that you care about style and aren’t afraid to show personality through your choice in clothing.  While Versace went with bowler hats and Moschino and Jean Paul Gaultier were partial, the new hat in town is the medium to wide brimmed Padre! A great update for a casual cool look.

Color is a great way to modernize your look without a lot of commitment. Dark red and cobalt blue were too colors trending on the Fall 2012 runways. Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Giorgio Armani are just a handful of many designers to use various shades of dark red or cobalt. Breathe new life into your wardrobe by adding a crimson scarf, a cobalt blue tie, blue and red argyle socks, or go really daring and go straight for the colored men’s denim.  They will last all spring and into the fall again.

If the temperatures are cool, it is always a good idea to keep warm in a black leather jacket. I am not sure if it is fair to call black leather jackets a trend…aren’t they always in style? Either way, a black leather jacket will almost instantly enhance your wardrobe.  For the more conservative, try a blazer shape and for the more edgy go for the “moto” look.  That always gets the girls going.

Gucci, Etro, and Salvatore Ferragamo opted for blazers made of velvet for Fall 2012. Velvet can do wonders for your wardrobe. It can make even the simplest outfit appear to be rich and luxurious. For a quick and easy update, trade in your current blazer for a velvet one. The Navy tux was hot on the Award show red carpets, so if you’re going to invest: navy is your best bet.  But if you are feeling really saucy, try one in emerald green, or crimson.

The great thing about wearing Fall 2012 trends now is that you extend their shelf life. Wearing them now will enhance your current look; wearing them later will ensure that your look is trend-on. So go ahead, put spring on the back burner just a little while longer and push forward with Fall 2012 in style.

Meet Morgan Wynn! Previous Intern, now LaurieBstyle Contributor! Have a question for her?  Want to talk trends? Want to talk street fashion? Follower her on twitter @morgan_wynn and you can email her too! mrgnwynn@gmail.com

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All photos via style.com

Although Punxatawney Phil begs to differ, it feels as though spring has already sprung, bringing lots of fresh trends from the runways.  However, as you know, some trends translate to real life more effortlessly than others.  Today, we’re going to explore some of those.

First, think pink.  Pink was a very relevant color in the spring collections, and I can’t think of a color I’m more excited to try on.  Depending on your comfort level, you can incorporate one pink item – clothing or accessory – into your ensemble for a pop, as seen at Jason Wu, or go monochromatic like the stunning shorts suit set at Jenni Kayne.

Next, metallics were very strong, and while most people probably already have a pair of metallic shoes or a handbag, I love a metallic garment, especially one that’s woven.  Cynthia Rowley showed some incredible metallic knit sweater and shorts combos.

Ladylike dressing is another fantastic spring trend, and it’s one that flatters everyone.  Hourglass silhouettes, modest cuts and full skirts never go out of style, and the accessories like little hats and structured bags are fabulous too.  In my opinion, no one does this look better than Chanel.

A few tips for wearing these trends.  With pink, while pairing two shades can be eye catching, if you’re not wearing a print, I’d steer clear of mixing in additional shades to avoid overload.  When incorporating metallics, remember that shiny fabrics can seem intimidating, so stick to styles that flatter your body and move with your curves. Finally, there aren’t too many rules to ladylike dressing, but I would incorporate a few modern touches or limit your accessories (i.e. pick gloves, pearls or a hat in lieu of all three) to avoid looking too costume-y.   And Voila!  You’re springtime ready.  Happy Styling!

Meet Jenny Heller! The LaurieBstyle runway trend report contributor. Have a question for her? Want to talk trends? Follower her on twitter @jennyhg and you can email her too! jennymheller@hotmail.com

Myself, my look (Three Dots!), my speech and my colleague Chris Lowe of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

When I developed my new tagline, I didn’t realize at the time how important it was to me.  To be perfectly honest, I was trying to find words that embody my work and that really just sounded cool together.  But since my new brand and website launched back in August 2011, (seems so far away now, no?) the concept of ‘Style Strategies for Success’ has truly become the backbone of my business.  It’s my process.  A process that I created on my own as a way to take style to the next level for my clients.   Our style, our presences our energy directly affects the journey to success.  Therefore… our style affects our success.  It’s simple yet it embodies so much with it.

Just a few weeks ago I was honored by being asked to speak about “Style Strategies for Success” in front of professional business women for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.  What a fabulous event it was: classy, intimate, and unbelievably informative. Speaking about why I am passionate about style and my styling strategies is a feeling I cannot explain.  To inform and empower women on a mass scale is truly my dream. Plus… don’t you know I’m a complete ham when I get under the spotlight?  Hard to believe… I know. But that just makes it all the more worthwhile.  I love to entertain.  It’s educational entertainment and since then, I’ve booked two more speaking gigs.  BOOM – destiny takes its course.

But something else really amazing blossomed out of this speech I prepared.  A brand partnership with the clothing brand, Three Dots.   Your perfect wardrobe essentials styled in delicious and resilient fabrics, classic and wearable silhouettes with a splash of bohemian and effortless cool mixed in.  But, of course I gravitated toward the tie dye stripes!   Not only did Three Dots dress me for the occasion, but they also gifted infinite scarves to each of the attendees.   And you know I love me a good scarf!  So stay tuned.  I’ve got some Three Dots goodness brewing up my sleeve.  (Here’s a hint… get on my newsletter list ASAP!)

All photos via style.com

Orange has been one of my favorite colors for years, so I was thrilled when Pantone designated Tangerine Tango as the color of 2012.  And so were the designers, as this cheerful hue dotted the runways en masse at the 2012 spring shows.  There were so many citrusy looks that it was hard to choose just a few, but I managed to narrow it down to a couple standouts.

Vena Cava showed a fit and flare short sleeved dress with a tempting tiered skirt.  The styling is what really won me over as the black sash and white golf ball-esque necklace brought Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble to mind.  Michael Kors’ asymmetrical tie-dyed sheath would be perfect on a summer night at the beach with a sunset in the background.  Erin Fetherston’s tiered shift dress was absolutely darling and the perfect party dress.  Finally, the high neck, boho print and sheer chiffon of Charlotte Ronson was easy yet sophisticated.

If you’re looking to wear tangerine now, you’ll have no problem.  Calvin Klein’s tie-dyed maxi is reminiscent of the Kors look with a slightly different shape and accent color.  Mod Cloth’s “Boardwalk with Me” dress features a print and color combo that’s a pretty close match for the Charlotte Ronson look.  Finally, Forever 21’s peplum tank is a great way to incorporate a tangerine ruffle into your look.

When wearing this look, there are no rules.  Typically I like to steer away from pairing orange and black together to avoid invoking Halloween, but as evident in the Vena Cava look, sometimes that can be a sharp combo.  Orange also looks fantastic paired with other brights like purple, pink and aqua.  Or, if you’re looking to keep it monochromatic, try pairing your look with tan, khaki, nude shoes and gold accessories.

Meet Jenny Heller! The LaurieBstyle runway trend report contributor. Have a question for her? Want to talk trends? Follower her on twitter @jennyhg and you can email her too! jennymheller@hotmail.com