There's really only one thing I like about the change of the weather at this time of year, and that's the new fall fashions.  I've long been a fan of autumn colors - I swear, I'm trying to get over my addiction to brown.  There are a few key items and trends I just can't get enough of this year.

Layered hosiery

Yesterday I wore thin brown tights under gray over-the-knee socks with knee-high brown leather boots and a plaid skirt.  People went nuts over the tights and socks combo.  I first saw the slouchy over-the-knee socks in an Urban Outfitters catalog, and my boyfriend found sock-dreams.com, which has crazy socks of all types.  I normally hate wearing skirts in winter, but with so many cool legging options, I may change my mind.

Menswear-inspired fabrics

I've always loved them; but at this time of year it's easier to find them.  Houndstooth, herringbone, gritty wool plaids - mmm delicious!  I just got a pair of cuffed wool shorts in a fat plaid at Old Navy.  And I covet (but cannot afford) a pair of gauchos in the Sundance catalog.  Old Navy has some cropped pants that are a poor imitation of gauchos.  Perhaps Banana Republic has something...

Brown mary-janes

I've been in love with them since the spring.  I bought one pair that I wasn't thrilled with out of desperation this summer.  Then, as they became nearly as common as those awful pointy high-heels, I found a beautiful pair by Me Too, complete with distressed leather, contrast stitching and kitten heels.  I have dyed the old ones black to keep from being too redundant.

Brown lace-up boots

I have some good low-heeled brown boots, but they don't lace up; they're pretty basic.  What I really want is a pair of lace-up, square toe, kitten heel boots for under $100.  The closest thing I've found is a pair made by Kenneth Cole Reaction for J. Jill.  I may still get them.  They lace up the back, which is unusual.

So my obsession with clothes has had some fertile ground lately.  I'm still trying to figure out how to make colors work without doing brown from head to toe.  I like brown with gray.  I also like other earthtones like olive and rust.  Keep all that pink crap away from me!