From leather to fur, vests have been running rampant on the sartorial radars of editors and bloggers for seasons now. Finally choosing to toss one over my coat might have been the best decision I’ve made as of late (no judgment).  Why didn’t I try this sooner?

For those who live in warm climates (I’m increasingly jealous of you), a vest layered over a medium-weight jacket is ideal for mild winters too.

Convinced yet? Here are a few things to think about (or not) when adding a vest to your winter outerwear repertoire.

• Mix textures: Layer a fur vest over your leather jacket, or a down vest over wool.
• Mix lengths: Try a knee-skimming wool coat under a waist-grazing vest. Or opt for a short jacket under a chic long vest.
• Mix and match: I’ve been keeping three vests and two jackets in rotation. Depending on the rest of that day’s outfit, I like to play with the possibilities. It’s half the fun.

 
And, one final tip for temps bordering on snowsuit-appropriate: adding a heavy knit scarf ups the warmth and style factor.

We couldn’t agree more with the styling tips in this video post from Refinery29 – the oversized sweater is a do, for work, play, and, above all else, comfort (which is absolutely necessary when you’re also wearing 5-inch stilletos). Here’s how we’re taking on the trend in the Rue offices:

Size Up – While many designers are making sweaters extra large this season, try on both your regular size and one size larger. Then choose your desired level of slouchiness.

Check Your Shoulders – A drop shoulder (one that falls a couple of inches below your natural shoulder line) is great – if the sweater is designed that way. Watch the shoulder seam if the garment is not designed with a drop shoulder – if you go too big and the seam creeps too low, you risk looking like you got swallowed by a loom.

Style It – Try a collared shirt peeking out from the neckline. Wear it with skinnies and heels. Or show some leg and anchor it with a mini.

Tuck – Not the whole sweater! Just a corner tucked up into the waist lends some shape when needed.

And Roll – Try a jumbo sweater with sleeves that hit somewhere between the elbow and wrist. If the sleeves hit the wrists, roll or scrunch to show a little skin.

Now, for goodness’ sake, get out there and get cozy.

Over the past few years I’ve gone back and forth from a blunt fringe to a side-swept style, and between my thrice-yearly haircuts (I know, shame on me), I trim them myself. I do such a bang-up job (sorry, couldn’t resist), they get glowing reviews from my hairdresser every time.

Here are four scissor-wielding rules to follow faithfully:

1. Put the kitchen shears down. Use hair trimming scissors from any beauty supply shop or, as Marie Claire suggests, cuticle scissors.

2. Always trim dry bangs. Trimming bangs while wet gives you a false sense of length and sets you up for a too-short bang disaster.

3. Cut vertically. Hold the scissors upright and cut up into your ends using little snips. Never cut horizontally across in one big chop.

4. Follow the natural edge of your pre-existing style and go a little at a time. You can always cut more if needed.

I’d like to think that my day-to-day makeup routine is fairly low maintenance. I rarely venture from the confines of mascara, a swipe of eyeliner (top lid only), and my pot of Smith’s Rosebud Lip Balm.

This spring, I couldn’t get enough of the perfectly done hot pink and fiery coral pouts. I dabbled, but it never really worked for me.

Maybe it’s because I’m a child of the ’90s, but with fall here, and burgundy lips the next big thing, I’m all about it! Inspired by this post from Cupcakes and Cashmere, and armed with this well-timed tutorial from Styleite, I’m vowing to get my pucker in on this lipstick action.

My biggest takeaway? This one simple tip: illuminate and brighten up the skin with a touch of light-reflecting primer or bronzer. While a pale, matte complexion can be lovely, just the right amount of radiance softens the contrast of the merlot lip so it reads rich rather than ghastly.

1. Shorts: Perfect for warm fall days, these high-waist shorts are unexpected in a sea of skirts.

2. Vest: This moto-inspired vest breathes new life into a classic tweed-blazer-and-jeans combo, for just the right amount of texture and sheen.

3. Moto Jacket: The classic (and easiest) way to incorporate leather in the office? In the form of a jacket, especially if your office has a strict business casual policy.

4. Edgy Boots: If you’re not totally obsessed with the thought of leather at work, try incorporating the trend with a pair of boots or heels with personalized extras, like the pyramid studs on these ankle boots.

5. Flared Skirt: In a world of pencil skirts, this fun option looks fresh and totally on-trend for the fall. Slip on a pair of opaque black tights and this look gets an instant cool weather update.

6. Cropped Jacket: Another timeless leather trend – the cropped jacket. Less like outerwear and more like a fitted blazer, this streamlined piece works perfectly for both in-office and getting-to-the-office looks.

7. Skinnies: The most daring way to up your office edge? Leather skinnies. In a denim-inspired silhouette and just-tight-enough fit, these black matchsticks are surprisingly easy to wear – even at work.

Being a style risk taker can feel (literally) like you’re toeing the edge of the DON’T pages in Glamour. Mixing prints, the hotly debated PJs at work (hey, I’ve worn a swimsuit to work before… with pants, mind you), and here’s another one to add to the sartorial controversy list: socks with heels.

Alexa Chung’s been rocking them for years. And no way, José, do I mean white knee socks with slip-on sports sandals. I’m talking about those cute little open-toe sandals, the pair you don’t pack away just in case there’s a freak heat wave in January.

Here in New England, we’re entering into an eight-month season of tights and boots. I’m not ready for that type of commitment. Instead, I’m thinking Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012 and easing into the cooler months with a slew of shoe and sock combos.

This post from Stylelist, which references the same Dolce & Gabbana collection, gives a quick rundown on how to get it right. Though I’ll admit it certainly is a toughie, this trend’s not as intimidating as it sounds.

As the summer season winds down (le sigh), my heart is begging to cozy up in chunky fall knits and to layer, layer, layer. Obviously, my heart doesn’t care that it’s still almost 80 degrees outside. The solution? Jewelry layering - and I’m not alone. Delicious stacks of arm candy are the regular at the Rue offices, and lately, I’ve noticed this cleverly piled-on look has worked its way up to necklines. Hooray! I have gobs of necklaces hanging in my closet just begging to be mixed, paired, and mingled with abandon. Taking cues from the Rue girls, here’s how to get the look:

1. Balance the dainty with the substantial. Oversized statement necklaces perk up light, gold-spun strands. So simple.

2. Mix lengths. Start with necklaces that hit close to your collarbone, then work your way down with baubles that hang lower.

3. Add just one more. Once you think you’ve layered your necklaces just right, try adding one more. To your surprise, it may look even better. And if it doesn’t, simply take it off. No harm done.

1. Consider Stripes a Neutral
Enter the sailor-striped tee. The black-and-white staple works well with other motifs, from ikat to florals, while the structure of the stripes balances out looser, abstract prints. Consider it your gateway into this trend, and play away.

2. Mix Large with Small
Try an oversized print with a daintier one. Here, jumbo polka dots work well against a ditzy garden print.

3. Stick to a Constant Color Scheme
Maybe most important of all, let the colors be the common thread. I found that black and white are ideal for easing into this trend.

By Sam Dulac, Senior Staff Writer

Have a tip or comment about mixing those prints? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.