The jacket: Short, loose toppers often with wide sleeves and cropped, cuffed ankle pants.

Full, flounced skirts: Light, swishy fabrics for daytime.


Artistic prints: They may range from delightful florals to geometrics and downright quirky abstract patterns. This is a dress from the Cynthia Steffe collection.

Light, airy fabrics: Expect a springlike feel for fall, often in pale or smoky colors.

Feminine details: Think ruffles, lace tuxedo bibs, shoe heels that look like stilts and long gloves.

•Hats: From tams and berets to fedoras, they are in front ranks.

•Corset tops and belts: They are popular choices over evening gowns and cocktail dresses.

•Exploration of shapes: Look for a bubble added to part of a skirt or peplum jacket, puffed skirts and elaborate draping.

•Rich dramatic colors: They include deep blue, emerald and kelly green, wine, yellow and metallics, often in mixed configurations.


Feathers: An expensive yet popular embellishment, they can be stunning. This is from the Ralph Lauren show.

•Wide batwing or dolman sleeves: We haven’t seen these in a while.

•Fur or faux fur pieces

Clothes inspired by TV’s “Mad Men,” set on Madison Avenue in 1960

Embroidered jewels: Think Marie Antoinette. Think wow.


Freewheeling mixes of textiles: Picture chiffon and tweed or lightweight cashmeres with lamé and tweed. Three different fabrics may be layered in the same dress.