Top fashion trends for fall

There was a luxe trashiness to many of the collections for fall that's curious when everyone is in survival mode. Between Alexander Wang in New York, Pucci in Milan, Balmain and Givenchy in Paris, I was left with a distinct morning-after feeling. But why, especially now, would you want to wear a mini-dress the size of a postage stamp that makes you look like a street walker? I suppose it would get you noticed.

This is the cutting edge of fashion, the thing that's making magazine editors giddy. And there were more measured takes on the tough chic look -- black leather leggings worn with a long boyfriend blazer, the black leather bustier or bomber jacket. I guess if nothing else, sex always sells.

Other designers leaned on their heritage (Burberry's checks, Missoni's layered knits, Ralph Lauren's manor style and Chanel's Barbie-like kits of Madame's iconic accessories), or the heritage of others (Balenciaga's ode to Yves Saint Laurent), offering the kind of tweedy coats, cozy sweaters and pretty evening looks that store buyers were referring to as "investment pieces."

There was a lot to wear: Prada's earthen-hued skirt suits, Michael Kors, Narciso Rodriguez and Marc Jacobs' sportswear classics with flashes of neon, Lanvin's elegant, bias cuts, the everyday jackets and pants at DKNY, Derek Lam, Etro, Dries Van Noten, Chloe, YSL and Stella McCartney.

Now we just have to wait and see if anyone's going to buy.