Rihanna in stranded pearls

There are so many hot trends to dress in this season. Set it off with a *twist* so it will keep you from dressing like everyone else.

• Over-the-knee-boots: You definitely need to have the right set of gams to master these. You don’t want to make it look like you have tree trunks, but you don’t want to look like you’re walking on a set of twigs either. JS by Jessica Simpson has a hot pair of over-the-knees with a wooden heel ($99.95, dsw.com). To be safe, you might think of pairing them with some skinnies and a tee… très passé. Glam it up with a black minidress.  But if that’s too daring for you, try a bohemian minidress with brown boots instead, a long necklace, and lots of bracelets.
• Adorned tights: Tights can take a plain dress to the next level, but  bedazzled tights? Those make a statement! If you can drop some dough on some jeweled tights in this recession, more power to you. (And while you’re at it, pick me up a pair.) If not, there’s always patterned tights, like zig zags or animal print that can make your outfit a force to be reckoned with. Try it with a patterned dress.
• Fur: PETA may go naked rather than wearing fur, but mot me! It’s warm and cozy and armoire chic. Wear a fur vest (or a faux fur vest) over a glammy dress with a belt around the waist. H&M has a lovely brown fur vest that I have been coveting. It has a belt, but it looks way better without it. It’s so warm and cozy, you can honestly wear it with anything ($59.95, hm.com for stores).
• Military jackets: The ghost of Michael Jackson lives on in everyone’s outerwear. Beyonce has been seen sporting one with gold embellishments across the chest. These blingtastic jackets are not for the faint of heart. More marching band than military, the look is still cool. Pair it with black slim pants and some heels or booties… And rock the one glove if you’re brave. For those crisp, fall nites, Forever 21 has a cute one for ($37.80, forever21.com).
• Stranded pearls: Pearls are never out of fashion, but one strand of pearls? Boring. This is not your grandma’s brunch. Pile those babies on. Layer at least five strands of pearls in different lengths to magnify the look.
• Cropped jeans: Cuffed jeans are out, and what’s the point of taking the time to cuff and roll when you can just get them cropped? While you may think to wear them with a pair of flats for that cutesy daytime look, wear them with a pair of ankle boots so the jean stops where the boots begin.

Whatever the trend don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. There’s nothing worse than seeing a girl with all the right trends wearing them in a mundane way. Be chic, be creative, and always dig in your Armoire!