Fall into colour

This season, it's all about colour and decades of styles.

Look towards the 40s and 70s as sources of inspiration, but with a modern and tailored twist.

Colour me reckless

With little of what's left of summer, don't stash away your bright clothes yet. 

Fall 2011 is venturing into uncharted territory, with vibrant hues shaping much of designers' collections.

This shift is certainly unusual, especially for fall. Perhaps it can be directed to Jil Sander's spring collection, where designer Raf Simons paired daring colour schemes like this major colour-blocking number:

_{Photo courtesy of Sequin Gown Wordpress}

Simons' bold move was mastered by designers alike including Gucci and Giambattista Valli, who followed up their fall collection with bright pops of colours and a muted fall palette:

_{Gucci's F/W 2011 Collection. Photo courtesy of Intheseams} 

Clearly, this season is all about colour.

Here are the biggest fashion trends of the season:

Go Mod

_{Alberta Ferretti F/W 2011. Photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar}

Also known as London's epicenter of fashion, the hip vibe of Carnaby Street was channeled by Bottega Veneta and Alberta Ferretti for its explosion of graphic colours and hip style.

_{Photo courtesy of High heel confidential}

Sport monochromatic hues and slim silhouettes (think Twiggy's iconic shift dress). To keep the look modern, stick to neutrals while adding pops of yellow, blue, and red like this.

Top it all off with a pair of heels à la Lauren Conrad or a pair of flats, for simplicity.

Lace it up

_{Jason Wu F/W 2011. Photo courtesy of Pomegranita}

From romantic and demure at Valentino to edgy and powerful at Prabal Gurung, lace takes on a whole new meaning this season.

Delicate fabrics were intensified by heavy prints and graphics, while an overlay of lace, softened its harshness.

_{H&M's 2011 Fall Fashion Catalogue. Photo courtesy of Mmaallday}

To keep the look sophisticated, opt for romanticism by donning a lace skirt (pictured above) with a chiffon or satin top.

Or mix it up with a lace top and pair it with a cinched pencil skirt. 

Wild romance

_{Kenzo, Missoni, and Wunderkind F/W 2011. Photo courtesy of ELLE.}

Call it prairie chic or western glamour, but the runways are embracing a wild romance. 

Capes and ponchos -- True Grit inspired -- were dominant pieces at Chloé, while duster coats and wide-brimmed hats at DSquared² flawlessly evoked Hailee Steinfeld's character.

_{Rodarte F/W 2011. Photo courtesy of Fourth Floor Walkup}

Add a western touch to your fall wardrobe by donning a belted utilitarian coat, and a felt hat. 

Channel your inner prairie girl charm, by belting a vintage plaid campfire blanket and complete the look with lace up booties.  

Countryside affair

_{Rag & Bone, Thakoon, Burberry Prorsum, Sonia Rykiel F/W 2011 RTW. Photo courtesy of Style Bakery.}

Think Kate Middleton and the 1970's college drama Love Story for fall's most classic and preppy looks.

Equestrian glamour was most coveted at Tory Burch, with tweed and plaid suits evoking the British countryside.

_{Tory Burch Fall RTW 2011. Photo courtesy of Style}

Opt for warm palettes and materials such as tweed, suede, and corduroy.

Evoke countryside glamour in a plaid skirt and a bow tie blouse, while honey coloured boots paired with a trenchcoat and leather gloves, are perfect for greeting the crisp autumn air. 

Red Alert

_{Michael Kors F/W 2011. Photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar}

Amidst the sea of bright colours this season, red is undeniably the showstopping colour.

Shades of burgundy, scarlet, and vermilion exploded on the runways at Michael Kors and Jonathan Saunders. 

_{Jonathan Saunders F/W 2011. Photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar}

Break all the rules in a show-stopping little red dress.

Or for the ultimate head turner, sport a head-to-toe red look as spotted at Michael Kors.

Prints charming

_{Armani Prive F/W 2011 Collection. Photo courtesy of Pattern Observer}

Flowers may not flourish in the fall, but they are thriving on runways from Jil Sander to Miu Miu.

Designers brightened up their collections with a splash of colourful floral prints, while modernizing it with a belted waist.

_{Miu Miu Fall 2011. Photo courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue}

Channel vintage glamour in these floral prints by looking towards your summer collection.

Pair your favourite summer dress with a cable-knit cardigan or don a floral skirt with a chunky knit sweater - perfect for transitioning into fall.

From eye-catching brights to show-stopping red hues, greet autumn with a colourful approach. Traces of summer are still interlaced within these fall pieces, with florals and prints still dominating the runways this season. 

Experiment with a colour-blocking outfit or add pops of colour to brighten up your fall wardrobe. It's a shame to see summer go, but transitioning into fall doesn't have to be so hard with these trends.