Style How To

Spring can't come soon enough, and here to help us jump-start our warm-weather styling inspiration is Vogue Italia's Giovanna Battaglia. While making the rounds at Paris Fashion Week, the editor showed us her chic take on one of the season's hottest trends: metallics. While most of us reserve this high-shine trend for evening festivities, Giovanna expertly worked it into her daywear via a stunning metallic coat. She then tempered her high-wattage statement piece with a simple brown sweater, textural skirt, and metallic pumps. We can't think of a better way show off our midday shimmer, and if you're just as inspired, then channel the same look by shopping our editors' picks below.

It's time for the big Spring closet cleanse — are you ready? In addition to properly storing away your Winter layers, it's just as important to prepare your warm-weather wardrobe for a seamless style transition. Just read below for our top 10 tips and tricks to achieving ultimate Spring cleaning closet karma.

• Prep your Winter coats for storage. Make sure to properly clean your heavy coats and jackets before you pack them away. Note: never store your coats (or anything else for that matter) in dry-cleaning bags. They're filled with harsh chemicals and can also trap moisture that can lead to mildew. Instead, opt for plastic storage bins, fabric garment bags, or plastic storage bags that can be vacuum-sealed.
• Clean your boots. There's nothing worse than a pair of ruined boots. That being said, we suggest you fork over a few extra bucks and take your footwear to your tried-and-true shoe man for the works: cleaning, water-proof protection, and, if necessary, resoling. Believe us, your shoes will thank you come next Winter.
• Sweater care. Always clean your sweaters before putting them away for the season. Wool and cotton sweaters can be stored in airtight plastic storage bags, but if you have the extra space, a plastic bin works best. Cashmere sweaters are extradelicate, so make sure to wrap them in an extra layer of tissue paper before storage. Tip: if you start to see holes, you can put the sweaters in a plastic bag and stick it in the freezer for two to three days to kill off any bugs.
• Get rid of stuff. It might sound a little drastic, but if you haven't worn that sweater dress or jacket all Winter long, you most likely won't wear it next season. Free up your precious closet space and give these pieces away to someone in need.
• Don't forget the accessories. Your scarves, hats, and gloves also deserve a little TLC. These accessories, especially gloves (think about all the subway poles and door handles you've touched all Winter long), go through daily usage so it's pertinent to give these a thorough cleaning before tucking them away.

Five more Spring cleaning tips here.

With Spring on the horizon, we're looking to trade out our puffer coats for cooler wares in the next few weeks. That said, we're looking at this perfect street-style snap to inspire our next outfit. We love the lightwash denim on denim as an easy outfit starter, punctuated with a statement-making houndstooth jacket. The finishing touch? A pair of cutout ankle boots and punchy pink bag add just right amount of zing to this effortlessly cool look. Get on board and shop our similar picks below.

Source: Le 21ème | Adam Katz Sinding

With Spring on the horizon, we're shopping for pieces that will give our wardrobes a refreshing update. With that in mind, we scoured the virtual racks and came across this amazing Finders Keepers pink dress ($130). The hot-pink hue is right on trend for the new season, and we adore the cute collar detail. Even more, the price is just right. To help you kick off Spring (and make the most of your purchase!), we're showing you two ways to wear it now — and later into the warmer months ahead. While it's still chilly outside, bundle up with an anorak, tights, and ankle boots. Come Spring, shed your cold-weather layers for a pair of sleek sandals and a bright statement necklace. Inspired? Just shop all the pieces below.

Shop from left: Mango metal hardware coat ($130), Tom Binns clash earrings ($132), Barneys fur tube scarf ($179, originally $295), Giuseppe Zanotti buckle boots ($696, originally $995), Finders Keepers Mood For Love pink dress ($130), BCBG Max Azria Jovian sandals ($275), Helmut Lang paneled printed blazer ($795), Kenneth Jay Lane turquoise necklace ($80)

Although the little black dress is a seasonless closet staple, Rihanna, Amanda Seyfried, and Jennifer Lawrence have all opted for a little orange one instead. And let's just say, the bold color swap has us second-guessing our own current go-to dress choices. Rihanna skipped the Valentine's Day pink palette for an orange wrap dress in LA, while Amanda styled a silk Roland Mouret confection with ankle-strap Jimmy Choo pumps, and Jennifer went sexy-sweet in a Stella McCartney cutout dress in London. Not only does this high-octane hue complement most skin tones, but with a few easy styling tips, the LOD can be the star of your wardrobe year-round. Take a cue from these trendsetters, then shop our editors' picks to beat the Winter blues.

• The Trendsetter: Rihanna's gold ankle-strap sandals lent a minimalist touch to her orange wrap dress. To inject a similarly cool — but never overdone — tilt to your LOD, add a leather jacket, caged sandals, and a statement necklace into the mix.
• The Sophisticate: From the cowl-neck collar to the ladylike hemline, Amanda's Roland Mouret dress evoked a seriously chic vibe. Follow her lead and work your orange dress with ankle-strap sandals, a black belt, and dainty jewels, and then top it off with a plush fur coat to further the sophisticated glamour.
• The Siren: Jennifer's bright orange Stella McCartney dress featured the perfect amount of sex appeal. Mimic her party style with a cutout LOD, metallic pumps, and an effortless updo.

The easiest way to perk up your look? Today's fashion tip is incredibly easy: put a cap on it. We first started seeing sporty hats last year, and from the looks of these polished street stylers below, the trend is still going strong. Not only will this trend add a tomboy tilt to any look, it's the perfect remedy for bad Winter hair days. Try pairing a sleek leather rendition with a floral or printed dress for a fun play on ladylike-meets-sporty, or style a bright baseball cap with boyfriend jeans, a slouched tee, and oxfords for an effortless, off-duty look. Any way you spin it, it's a no-brainer in our style books. Shop our editors' picks below to add an instant pop of cool to your cold-weather getup now.

More Free People...

Source: Getty, Phil Oh

As we inch closer to Spring, we're looking for new ways to add a refreshing touch to our cold weather looks. Metallics, as seen on Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, and Burberry runways, are an easy way to add instant shine to any look. Here, we're highlighting Estéban Cortazar lamé t-shirt, and showing you how you can easily wear this look from day to night. For a casual off-duty day, pair it with a textural tweed jacket, white jeans, and wedge sneakers for look that's high on cool factor and comfort. Once the sun drops, keep in line with the same color palette but switch out the jeans for a ladylike skirt and finish off the look with a sleek blazer, boots, and eye-catching arm candy. Like what you see? Shop every piece below.

Shop left to right: Vanessa Bruno tweed moto jacket ($330, originally $660), Ralph Lauren boyfriend jeans ($76, originally $151), Isabel Marant Bayley suede wedge sneakers ($640), Esteban Cortazar stretch lamé t-shirt ($260), Alexander Wang Jill cutout booties ($825), Karl Lagerfeld crepe blazer ($125, originally $310), Carven boiled skirt ($168, originally $420), ASOS two-pack hex cuff bracelets ($32)

Our requirements for a Fashion Week outfit are simple enough: we want to appear cool and polished with a hint of the trends — and all without trying too hard. OK, it's a pretty tall order, but it can be done — and effortlessly so — as evidenced by Anja Rubik. The supermodel took to the streets in a perfect blend of textures, prints, and staples that doesn't short on the wow factor — but doesn't go overboard, either. The trick is easy proportions: the classic fit of her denim button-down mirrors the fit of a staple white blouse, but provides a trendier update. Likewise, her printed trousers offer a newer take on regular blue jeans, but maintain the same silhouette of our go-to denim. It's these simple swaps that add up to a more eye-catching effect, while complements like a pair of pointed-toe pumps and a sleek bit of outerwear are a little more under the radar, but elevate the ensemble with a nod to the chicest kind of closet essentials. If your plans don't include Fashion Week, we can still think of about a hundred other places to wear this Anja-inspired style — shop it for yourself below.

Shop clockwise from top left: 3.1 Phillip Lim Evening Coat ($900, originally $1,800), Club Monaco Tatumn Denim Shirt ($140), Paige Skyline Stripe Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans ($289), Zara Pointed Court Shoe ($90), Vanessa Mooney Site of Day Necklace ($150), Orit Silver Detail Necklace ($142), Rebecca Minkoff Tweed Impulse Clutch ($193, originally $275)

We've come to terms with the fact that for all of Fashion Week's excitement and glamour, it also demands long hours, little to no sleep, and an implicit expectation to look our best even when we're not exactly feeling fresh as a daisy. Not to worry, after seasons of crammed schedules, late nights, and more than one shoe-related mishap, we've certainly worked out many of the secrets of Fashion Week-goer success. With New York's Fall 2013 mayhem kicking off in a matter of days, we're here to share our foolproof survival tips straight from the Lincoln Center-Milk Studios-and everything in between battlefield.

The Fashion-Week Warrior Checklist:

• Pre-primp. Believe us, treating yourself to a mani/pedi and fresh haircut (or blowout) will make you feel so much better once Fashion Week kicks off. That said, make an appointment a few days before the madness hits, and might we suggest, gel manicures are the perfect option since there will be no time for touch-ups!
• Band-Aids. We cannot stress this enough: Band-Aids are crucial amidst the Fashion Week hustle and bustle. You may love your brand-new Louboutins, but trust us, they may not love you back yet. To avoid the pain and awkward limp-walk that comes with blister territory, tote a travel-sized kit of bandages with you. Luckily, these adhesive saviors are so compact, no one needs to know you're a First-Aid center on heels.
• Snack attack. Here's the thing — the whole three-meals a day thing ceases to exist during this heightened time of presentations, runway shows, and afterparties. And, if you're not careful, you'll easily find yourself subsisting on a liquid diet of coffee, champagne, and Perrier, aka it's not sustainable or energy inducing. Make sure you've got snacks at the ready. We're partial to raw almonds and KIND mini bars, which provide us with equal amounts of protein and antioxidants.
• Map out your wardrobe. Practice what you preach: organization. In this case, it's worth your while to have the general gist of what you're going to wear each day (and to what events), so you can maximize on sleep time and on getting out the door in the mornings as efficiently as possible. Ideally, you'll have a solid mix of sleek staples (silky blouses, one amazingly tailored black sheath, killer heels, and so on) and an arsenal of statement accents to offset the basics. Whatever your personal style may be, anticipate your energy levels to wane by day five; thus, having an outfit plan set into motion is key.

Let the survival-mode tips keep on coming — after the break.