Shopbop

To capture all the inside fun at Australia Fashion Week, we've enlisted our good friends at Shopbop to be our eyes and ears on the ground. From behind the scenes at the Zimmermann studio to front row at the Spring 2012 Ellery show, they've been busy as bees capturing all the sights and bright lights of one of the most exciting Fashion Weeks around. Click through to see where they went and what they saw — with more to come as the shows wind to a close — right here in the exclusive photo diary.

At left: a harbor view of Sydney's iconic Opera House.

Each holiday occasion presents a challenge — or an opportunity — to dress the part, whether it's cocktails with the office crew, a romantic evening, or a fabulous New Year's bash. However, a mad dash to find your dress the night of your party usually takes the fun out of it. To save you from trolling the mall at the last minute, we've curated a collection of our favorite party dresses — with every occasion, every girl, and every budget in mind. This season, we're looking to lace, luxe hues, and lots of sequins to make a lasting impression at all of our holiday fêtes. Ready to find your perfect look? Just click through for 25 amazing options to shop now.

Photo courtesy of Blanco

It's that time — when all things cozy and comfortable have unmatched appeal. In an effort to keep even our knitwear as chic as possible (without compromising on comfort), we've scoured our favorite stores for the cold-weather essentials we'll need for the month ahead. Admittedly, some pieces aren't so basic — a little Fair Isle, a few stripes, or a bit of sheer here and there to add interest to Winter-perfect gray sweaters, chunky cardigans, and even skirts. As for the necessary elements, you'll find that we haven't skimped on comfy bottoms with stylish (yes, stylish) sweats and fleece-lined leggings. Just click through for a few of our favorite seasonal necessities, then shop to bundle up as comfortably and stylishly as possible.

The Fall '11 runways presented limitless options for cold-weather layers; with Autumn in the air — and pumpkin spice lattes in hand — it's officially time to try the trends on for size. We want coats that speak to the season's best styles: parkas, luxe leather and shearling trim, bold brights, and new silhouettes in cozy capes and cocoons. To make your shopping trip a little easier, we're breaking it all down right here, right now. We pulled Fall's most coveted runway looks, and offer three shoppable versions at every price point. Some are essential, some lust-worthy — but that's for you to decide. Click through to see and shop our ultimate guide to finding your perfect Fall coat.

Photo courtesy of Greg Kessler

Pearls are a jewelry box mainstay — they're timeless, elegant, and we wear them all the time. But, if that pair passed down from grandma is starting to feel just a little tired, think what those shiny pearls would look like refit in new-jeweled confections. We saw evidence of this at the Chanel Spring 2012 show, where the brand famous for pearls showed them in modern ways. Our curated batch of pearled pieces also do it, re-imagining the iconic pearl in collared necklaces, spiked and studded cuffs, and edgier doubled rings to pair with all your favorite Fall separates. It's a collection of jewelry that reads maybe just a touch cooler than your mother's — or mother's mother's— string of pearls. Click through to see and shop a few new ways to wear an accessory staple.

Having filled our closet with a season's worth of amazing pants, we're turning our attention to skirts. With feminine but easy-to-wear silhouettes on the brain, we have our eye out for cozy maxis; curve-hugging pencil skirts to take us to the office; leather; and a few surprises, like an embellished mini for date night. We narrowed down the endless options to our favorite styles at a variety of prices. Before you click to shop, keep in mind these styling tips:

• Think of your maxi skirt as an alternative to pants and jeans this season. Find one in a great fit and versatile fabric (jersey is ideal) that you can live in all season, topped with jackets and vests, and finished with your favorite boots and booties.
• Invest in a leather skirt — leather was a major trend for Fall 2011. Plus, it's an easy way to go day to night, weekday to weekend all season.
• Look for skirts with special details, like draping, a fresh print, or silky finish, and let the skirt become your statement piece.

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When we say one-piece wonder, we mean it. A bodysuit slims, defines your curves, and never adds bulk under your hip-hugging denim, skirts, or trousers. The bodysuit had a major moment in the '90s, but we're newly obsessed with the undergarment-cum-wardrobe staple — and you will be, too. In understated silhouettes, or dressed up with underwire, lace, and cutouts, a bodysuit should be worn just like any other top; its benefit comes when you want a sleek, smooth silhouette without bunching, gathering, or slouchiness. The only thing to remember is that you want a bodysuit with a snap crotch — form and function should work together here! If you've ever feared the one-piece, here's a way to conquer those fears: we styled chic, wearable looks for five different occasions. Click to see.

>> For its second-ever print campaign, Shopbop cast Elisa Sednaoui to be captured by Jason Nocito in a Connecticut home. The series of several images feature Sednaoui in a selection of the e-tailer's soon-to-be-available Fall highlights.

“Elisa Sednaoui’s confident style and authentic sense of fashion successfully captures the modern spirit of this campaign,” said Darcy Penick, divisional merchandise manager for Shopbop, of the choice. The ads are expected to run in the September and October issues of magazines like Vogue, In Style, Elle, and Lucky.

Sicily is home to heavenly beaches, majestic mountains and Europe's oldest active volcano. The coasts are gold with orange and lemon orchards, and each scenic region offers something totally different. When it comes to Sicilian vacation style, the most important thing to keep in mind is your shoes — it's inevitable that you'll do tons of walking, so comfortable footwear is essential. The climate during the Summer months is dry and hot, so keep cool with lots of easy, breezy cotton and linen fabrics. Skirts and sundresses are favored over shorts, so feel free to pack all your ladylike favorites. Whether you're stretched out on the beaches of Lido Mazzarò, hiking Mount Etna, or getting dolled up for La Passeggiata, we've put together some looks that will have you living la dolce vita in no time.

After spying high-waisted shorts on the runway — see Tibi, far left, and Adam's Spring 2011 collection, and then in some of our favorite editorials including a lovely Glamour cover with Freida Pinto, we got the hint — these shorts-up-to-here are too cute to pass up. For starters, we love that a higher waist means we can get away with wearing our cropped knits and tees, while showing off our stems. And, if you prefer to keep it more covered up, high-waisted styles are ideal for tucking in your button-downs and blouses — it makes your outfit seem sharp and helps create an hourglass figure. We've narrowed it down to 10 of our favorites, so just shop our editor's picks to start styling up your own pair.

Photo courtesy of Glamour