I spy ikat

If you've been keeping up with fashion at all you know that ikat is the big print for spring. What is ikat? It's a way of dying or embroidering fabric that results in a patterned, sometimes tie-dyed look. It's popular in Eastern Europe, think Uzbekistan, and also parts of Africa, Asia and South America. You definitely don't want to dress head-to-toe in the pattern, but this Urban Outfitters scarf is a great, subtle way to incorporate the look into your wardrobe. If you're looking for something for your home, you can get a one-of-a-kind throw to put over a sofa or to hang on your wall. It's a great way to add a splash of color and culture to a room.

Arts and crafts

THE YEAR IN FOLK: Think Romanian villages, Kate Moss at Glastonbury and the Free People catalogue, and you're on the right track for nailing this trend. The trick is to wear it without looking like you're a regular at Renaissance Festivals. How to do this? Pick clothes with a classic cut and a vivid print to keep the look clean, or stick to accessories only. Check out these pieces, clockwise from top left: Smiling Buddha cardigan from Free People, $128; Minnetonka fringed boots, $69.95; Marc by Marc Jacobs printed top, $248; Anthropologie petal-perfect scarf, $68; Urban Outfitters embroidered dress, $39.95.

Tricks and treats

HALLOWEEN HOW-TOS: Playing dress-up is one of the few children's pleasures that is even more fun to do as an adult, especially when there are so many options to choose from. Instead of the expected, choose a Halloween costume that's more stylish than spooky. Twiggy is a perfect option this year as the look you need is probably in your closet if you've been shopping recently. Pair a minidress with a short blonde wig, and make sure to focus your makeup on the eyes, with long lashes painted on and lots of eyeliner. If you want a look with more versatility try channeling Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex and the City." You can choose one of her fabulous looks, but it's more fun to focus on the zany ones, like bandana headbands, running shorts with heels , gold name necklaces or huge pin-on flowers. Jane Fonda as the stylish hooker Bree from the '70s film "Klute" is a fun look, but you have to invest in a shag wig to pull this off. Add a black outfit, tall boots and a trench, and you're all set. Two easily recognizable looks are Gwyneth Paltrow from "The Royal Tennenbaums" and Faye Dunaway as Bonnie in "Bonnie and Clyde." For the former find an izod dress, pin your hair up in a bob and load on the black eyeliner. As Bonnie you'll need a beret, a (plastic) gun and the perfect cardigan, scarf and plaid skirt matched with Mary Janes. Now go out and kill the competition.

These boots are made for (elephant) walking

This photo from a recent issue of Vogue has garnered a lot of negative attention. Although it's beautifully shot, there is something obscenely extravagant about the Louis Vuitton blanket on the elephant. But what's neither obscene nor extravagant are the boots Keira Knightley is wearing. They're perfect with her outfit, and work with dresses, skirts and jeans. Frye makes the best boots, and their low harness styles are only $188 at www.fryeboots.com.

Mod love

SIXTIES STYLE: A modern riff on mod is in vogue. Think minidresses, headbands and cropped jackets. You can also bring a bit of the era into your clothes through color. Pick a mostly monochromatic pallete or white, black and/or gray and punch it up with pops of bright color. If you're going with a minidress, stick with platforms, which are still in style, or tights and boots. Need a little visual inspiration? Try old photos of Twiggy, or if that's reaching back a bit too far, Austin Powers.

Step to it

TWO-STEP STYLE: Ballet-inspired clothing takes the stage with figure-flattering pieces that follow the body's natural curves. Think wrap sweaters, wide-neck tops and leggings, tights and headbands. Even if you can't be a ballerina, you can look the part with a few fast finds.

Sense and stylability

Jane Austen and her witty, sensible heroines are back in style, a trend most recently marked by the release of "Becoming Jane," a fictionalized retelling of Jane Austen's young life starring Anne Hathaway. Despite the two centuries since her writing, the characters remain as modern and relevant today as they must have been back then. The most memorable versions of Austen's novels are the BBC's "Pride and Prejudice" starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, the most recent version starring Keira Knightley, "Emma" with Gwyneth Paltrow and "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. Our favorite though? "Mansfield Park" with Frances O'Connor and Alessandro Nivola. To get the look of a Jane Austen heroine without looking like you're dressing up for Halloween, try a dress or shirt with an empire waist and pink blush to achieve a rosy glow similar to the one brought on from the first rush of love. And, of course, don't forget to keep your sense of humor at life's many twists and turns.

Hitchcock heroines

Alfred Hitchcock's heroines had a singular style that transcends their era. He preferred icy blondes whose perfectly put-together wardrobes belied the drama within. But you don't have to be blonde, betrayed or beleaguered to get the look. Choose polished separates with a timeless elegance to elevate your wardrobe a notch. Seen here: French Connection "Fantasia" tunic, $98; Nanette Lepore "Marvelous" mini, $195; Banana Republic trench, $228; Alexis Hudson snakeskin clutch, $265 at www.intermixonline.com; Anthropologie skinny minnie belt, $18.