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>> Fall 2012 marks J.Crew's second season on the New York calendar — but the buzz surrounding the brand's Fashion Week presentation is already on par with that of some of the city's highest-end designers. This morning's Lincoln Center presentation was not only elbows-in packed, it was also attended by some of the industry's most-loved tastemakers. In the space of just a few minutes, we spotted Anna Dello Russo, Giovanna Battaglia, Joe Zee, and Derek Blasberg all making the rounds.

The fashion cred is well-deserved, especially this season. Newly-appointed head of women's design Tom Mora has delved deep into the J.Crew archives and come back with some refreshing — and modern — takes on the classics. There were pencil skirts in high-gloss satin and python, crew necks in bold intarsia knits, and cropped trousers in patterned jacquard. A lovely botanical print added charm to silk pants and tops, while a tonal, colorblocked coat is sure to be a hit.

As if that weren't enough, the brand has also collaborated with Manolo Blahnik on a series of BB pumps. The shoes will be sold online in several J.Crew-exclusive colors and patterns this Fall.

J.Crew's packed Fall 2012 presentation showed a bevy of vibrant structured coats, eye-catching knitwear, and a refreshing mix of printed trousers. Almost every look has a sporty twist to it — we especially loved the casual pullovers made in silk floral prints, brushed fleece tops, and what has now become the brand's signature, daytime-appropriate sequins. Other standout pieces included a cozy two-toned tweed coat, leather trimmed jackets, and pajama-inspired pants. For accessories, VP of women's design Tom Mora provided major eye candy in the way of pastel candy-colored Manolo Blahnik pumps, Patricia Underwood hats, sleek snake-print bags, and textured clutches. More highlights below, then check out the complete collection in the slideshow.

• Trends: Printed trousers, sporty, daytime sequins, tweed, snakeskin prints.
• Colors: Emerald, brown, hot pink, orange, mustard yellow, blue, gray.
• Key Piece: We can't wait to get our hands on the two-toned tweed coat.
• Accessories: Reptilian print bags, shearling satchels, tweed clutches, point-toe Manolo Blahnik pumps, Patricia Underwood hats.
• Who Would Wear It: Women who crave classic looks with a refreshing twist like Michelle Obama and Olivia Palermo.

Simply labeled Collection, it's touted as J.Crew's most "to-die-for designs." Every season, the brand whips up a limited-edition lineup of luxe pieces that embody J.Crew's casual, cool ethos in a plethora of plush fabrics and high-end materials. While the rainbow-hued Spring '12 styles are totally covetable, the three-digit price tags aren't always ideal. A satin-faced silk sweatshirt and nautical-inspired tea-length skirt are certainly worth the investment, but a sequined cami and pencil skirt combo? Not so much. Click through to peruse J.Crew's newest Collection pieces and see which items are must-haves and which are better left on the rack.

To toast the holiday season, we're giving away a $2,500 gift card from J.Crew. Amazing, right? To help you dream of the endless possibilities, we're showing you how we would spend $2,500 at one of our favorite retailers; think warm knits, statement bags, and a load of essentials that will last us seasons to come. Just click the slideshow to see all of our picks, and don't forget to sign up here for your chance to win. Hurry up, the giveaway ends tomorrow!

After you enter our giveaway above, don't forget to enter LilSugar's giveaway to win a Huggies holiday prize package, PopSugar Shop's giveaway to win an exclusive Pamela Love necklace and $500 PopSugar Shop credit, FitSugar's giveaway of two Trek bikes and Vella bags, ShopStyle's giveaway of a $2,500 Barneys New York shopping spree, YumSugar's giveaway to win a $1,000 Williams-Sonoma gift card, and SavvySugar's giveaway to win a Lenovo U300 Ultrabook powered by Intel. We will be revealing more amazing giveaways every day, so come back daily and enter them all. Good luck and happy holidays!

When Winter hits, more is more — at least when it comes to layering. It seems you can never have enough of your cold-weather-proof gear to get you through the season, and while that may be the case, we're aiming to do it as stylishly as possible. Armed with chunky knits, fur and shearling lining, and jeggings that are as comfortable as they are chic, we're gearing up for the snow with our fashion sense intact. Just step inside for 15 perfect pieces to layer up smart.

Whether you're going on 10 dates or 10 years with your guy, this is one-stop shopping to find him the perfect gift. We've hand-picked 15 of our favorite finds, with something in mind for everyone. From the classics, like a Barbour jacket that'll last him forever, to smaller investments like a quirky cool bottle-opener, we've covered all the bases to make your shopping easy. Just click through to see and shop our editors' picks for all the guys on your list.

Inevitably, the obligatory ugly sweater party shows up on our holiday party itinerary every Winter. This year, we're revamping the tradition with a selection of much-cuter knits. Instead of the crazy old embellishments, Fair Isle gone horribly wrong, or Santa's face stretched onto a chubby wool sweater, we've scoured the market for some of the most adorable, unconventional popovers to cuddle up in this season. Our favorite animal faces, cheeky expressions, and sweet prints adorn this batch of standout sweaters that also happen to make some pretty perfect gifts. Click through to shop our editors' picks for yourself — then score a couple of great gifts for the loved ones on your list.

We learned our lesson with flimsy knits and not-so-padded parkas in college — there's no fudging it when it comes to Winter essentials. Snowstorms and frost requires some seriously warm stuff to see you through, and since we can now see our breath in the cold outside air, it's about that time. On our must-shop list for the season, we're craving curl-up-by-the-fire essentials like a great new snood, knit beanie, and fingerless gloves. Swap your skinnies for a pair of leather leggings and your tired snow boots for a pair with shearling lining, and you've got the perfect mix of cold-weather gear to get you through the months in style. Click on for our complete guide to the new Winter essentials.

Winter can be a tricky wardrobe season: staying warm and stylish, without the extra bulk, is key to mastering the look. Just in the nick of time, J.Crew released its latest favorite ensembles providing cold weather dressing inspiration for weeks to come. We spy an array of bright hues — we especially love the hefty supply of orange and pink — sleek wool blazers, and coats to keep you fashionably warm all Winter long. Furthermore, stripes and tweed pants add that textural touch we're all looking for this season. Click the slideshow to see more looks, and 10 quick and easy styling tips that come with it.