Fall Wishlist Part I

1. A Perfect Trench

A classic trench coat has been on my wish list for some time. It's timeless, versatile, insanely practical. And you really only need one -- choose correctly, and you'll be investing in a piece you'll reach for year after year.

If this is the year you want to add a trench to your closet, there are plenty of good ones to consider:

Modcloth East Coast Tour Coat -- a super sharp, super feminine option. The black piping and ribbon belt help create a really lovely silhouette.

Zara Short Trench Coat -- this is sportier version adds a little drama to your look. It's boxy, so you'll want to try on a few sizes to make sure the fit is sharp and not sloppy.

Mango Flowy Trench -- I like this soft, flowy cut. Also available in charcoal gray if you're not a fan of the traditional beige.

UNIQLO IDLF Trench Coat -- if you're looking for a truly classic trench, I think this is the best (and most affordable) one on the market today. UNIQLO has a great reputation for outerwear, and the influence of French model Ines de la Fressange delivers perfectly chic styling. If you've been considering a Burberry trench, you might want to test drive this one first and see if doesn't save you about $900.

Of course, there are a million ways to wear a trench...

For early fall, I'd throw it on over a t-shirt, skinny crops, and flats with a hint of summer sweetness (tip: on those warm days, leave the coat open and tie the belt in the back to keep things neat). On those truly cold fall days, layer it up: a turtleneck, cozy scarf, warm pants, and chunky boots will keep you warm without being bulky. Don't worry, there's always time for your Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man impression in January.

2. Cozy Knits

I can describe my favorite season in just two words: sweater weather. You know what I'm talking about. Cool, crisp air that makes you want to snuggle into your favorite cozy knit pieces. This is the ideal time to add a few new sweaters into rotation. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Gap Moto Sweater Jacket -- I love the use of a nontraditional waffle knit material in this very classic shape. Perfect for layering, interesting on its own.

2. J. Crew Cambridge Cable Turtleneck -- totally classic style in a bold, bright color. A lot of people look great in red, so a turtleneck like this could be a great pick-me-up piece for gray fall days.

3. UNIQLO Cashmere Crewneck Cardigan -- a good cardigan is a wardrobe staple, and it makes sense to invest in one in a good quality material like cashmere. UNIQLO does affordable cashmere better than almost anyone.

4. Modcloth Corner Coffee Shop Cardigan -- I love the shape of this sweater -- so sharp, and the funnel neck and three-quarter sleeves are feminine and flattering. Think about how much fun you'll have pairing this with fun prints to peek out at the hem.

Sweater weather is the best, and there are so many great styling options...

For early fall, you can pair with a denim mini, tights, and simple chunky boots. This is kind of my ideal "bopping around the neighborhood" outfit, so I'd add my favorite summery shades and a fun tote bag for lugging home library books, farmer's market goodies, a stack of magazines, etc. For later fall months, I'm thinking wide-leg tweed pants, a great watch, cool heels (did you score these Rebecca Minkoff beauties during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale?), and a bucket bag.

*note: I'm leaving prices out of my posts because they'll be over the place this season. Remember, watch for holiday weekend sales, check your email for codes (signing up for a company's email list usually generates an extra, stackable coupon code, so get your burner email addresses ready), comparison shop, and try to avoid paying for shipping.