For those of us on the East Coast who watched most of our summer from under an umbrella, and those on the West Coast who don’t get a “real” fall, there is no need to fret. Thanks to fall 2009’s “summer in winter” trend, there’s no need to pack away the minidresses, shorts, rompers, tanks, and peep-toes once the temps start to drop. All you need are:

1) Leggings and/or opaque tights

“Winterize” your shorts, rompers, and minis by sliding a pair of opaque tights on under them. (I LOVE these rock candy-print tights by Look from London). If you’re like Michelle Obama and not big on pantyhose, go with leggings instead. Thanks to the plethora of options designers whipped up for the great ’80s comeback — exposed zip and “scrunch” details, and fun prints — leggings have emerged as one of fall’s “star” pieces. Invest in a few and rock them under minidresses, rompers and shorts, or wear them instead of jeans with a turtleneck layered under your fave boyfriend tee.

2) A bright scarf

This flame red Christopher Fischer scarf is totally on-trend as ’80s technicolors brighten up fall’s usually dark palette, plus, it’ll catch the color nicely in one of your print sundresses. Likewise, a printed scarf like this one by Kashmere will not only look great with a summer romper and wedge heels but it’s fully in sync with fall’s ragamuffin chic/prints-on-prints trend.

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I call them “Comfort Clothes” – the baggy pegged jeans, the swing-shaped tees, the oversized cardigans, and the high top sneakers that have taken over women’s magazine pages this season. With These Economic Times calling for practicality, fashion has responded not with minimalism as it did in the early ‘90s, but cozy clothes that women can swaddle themselves in. Even First Lady Michelle Obama, The Queen of Practical Chic herself, has been known to rock a boyfriend cardigan or two – though she has yet to don a whiskered pair of roomy, rolled-up jeans.

But my question is, are you adopting this new trend? Are you trading in your fitted and embellished tops, curve-announcing dresses and sky-scraping stilettos for more comfy styles – or incorporating BOTH ideas into your closet? Do tell!

I love those spreads in fashion magazines that detail, “A Month of Style!” with a photo for every day’s ideal outfit taken from a gigantic wardrobe of things to pick and choose from.

Alas, I am not wealthy enough to afford to buy their wardrobe suggestions. $300 for a dress? Not gonna happen! I’d like to have a settled career, thanks, before I start spending large chunks of rent and food money on clothing. As fun as that is, a girl’s gotta eat!

My thought was to re-create the same idea: a week of fashion, made from a few simple items, but all affordable. Mind-blowing, right?

Day One – Bohemian Chic

Pair these great (and cheap) sandals from Forever 21 with a Lux skirt by Urban Outfitters and a top from Delias.

Why should you wear this? It’s got a great, “oh-this-old-thing” casual look, but still looks like you took time in choosing your appearance.

To mix it up – Add a bright colored scarf, a couple gold bangles or hoops or a light, loose jacket.

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Lucky magazine has been one of my favorite newsstand purchases since it first debuted. I remember being very young and picking up the inaugural issue and thinking, “So this is why fashion can be interesting.”

Their website–now upgraded–is actually fairly informative, and I like their new “Cute Outfit of the Day” section in which they single out someone on their staff and take a photo of their outfit. It’s really fascinating to see how Senior Fashion Editors, for instance, dress on a day to day basis. Obviously the Lucky offices aren’t exactly “The Devil Wears Prada”–they dress like everyday women, just more trend and designer-conscious.

I chose some of my favorite looks from Cute Outfit of the Day and found inexpensive ways to copy the style of these supposed (and well-qualified) style experts working in the fashion industry.

Heather Summerville – Senior Associate Fashion Editor

Heather’s look is stylish, but still attainable for the average woman. Sometimes fashion can be too fashion-y (for instance, men STILL do not understand why trapeze dresses were fashionable.) This, however, translates well to all sorts of different vocations.

Try this Urban Outfitters tee (it’s on sale at 2 for $25) with these Gap “Favorite” trouser jeans, which come in longer inseams for us tall women, and petite inseams for you midgetors. Pair these basics with this interesting cropped trench from Target. The tie in the front alone dresses up the whole look. You could also leave the trench unbuttoned for a more casual appearance.

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