MOTO JACKET

Yes, the motorcycle jacket is still around and it's not too late to get in on this fashion trend. I think the jackets at the Balmain Spring 2011 show were especially cool. We often see a lot of motorcycle jackets with leggings and jeans, which is totally great, but what about a moto jacket with a cute full skirt? Here, with the monochromatic color scheme, the skirt and jacket combine to almost feel like one piece, almost like it is a leather and wool dress, which I find intriguing and refreshing. The Modest Girl could also pair a motorcycle jacket with a full floral, or otherwise patterned skirt and still give a cool, urban vibe.

RETRO PERFECTION

This pretty vintage dress is perfectly on trend with the 50's retro resurgence going on all over the runways lately. Trend or not though, this is a classically glamorous, tasteful look. Pretty pearl drop earrings, a silver belt from JCrew, and sexy platform pumps are forever glamorous. As children, I think we imagined stiletto heels and full skirts to be the most beautiful thing a girl could wear...I kind of think the modern, Modest Girl still feels the same way.

GOLD

Gold was all over the runways for Fall/Winter 2010-11. Since this gold skirt is such a statement maker, we decided to mix it up (and tone it down a bit) with a sweatshirt style top. To keep the mix balanced we paired the sweatshirt top with a seriously jeweled necklace, then toughened the whole thing up with some lacy patterned tights and zippered booties. The Modest Girl can party in style. We love Banana Republic for statement making jewelry.

ECLECTIC

I love Hilary Onyon's sense of style - it is so individual and seemingly effortless. She is an artist and illustrator so it seems natural that those skills and instincts would transfer over to her taste for dressing. Notice the patterned tights with the bright dress and lace collar. Such a pretty mix for a pretty girl. And I love lace-up boots to toughen things up. You'd be surprised - a lace-up bootie compliments nearly everything.

VINTAGE LACE

Lace seems to be having a moment and we couldn't be more pleased. Lace is timeless and feminine. This dress is a vintage piece and, given that the television series Mad Men is having such an impact on the fashion world at the moment, what is old has become new again. A little cat-eye liner can give a nod to the dress's origin though. If you're wearing lace, keep the jewelry to a minimum - maybe one piece - to avoid looking too busy. Also keep in mind, if you are going to buy a vintage dress always have it tailored to fit you (unless by some stroke of luck you find one that magically fits like a glove). Find a tailor that has some experience working with vintage clothes or costumes, as the fabric and seams are more fragile on a vintage dress than on a modern garment. You don't want your pretty vintage dress falling apart on you! Even with the added effort of tailoring, the rewards are well worth it. With no worries someone will show up to the party wearing the same dress as you, you can truly be one of a kind.

BURBERRY

Photo Hanneli Mustaparta

This is Alexa Chung wearing a gorgeous Burberry Prorsum dress. I love everything about it - the color, the tiny collar and buttons, the shoulders and tie at the waist. I adore the subtle military feel of the whole thing. Perfection. In fact, I was in love with the entire Burberry Fall 2010 ready-to-wear collection. There were pretty dresses with tough military and shearling jackets, and the alluring mix of leather and lace. We Modest Girls could wear nearly everything in the line, given our bank accounts were large enough, but as that is probably not likely for most of us, we can still aspire to look like the Burberry girls (while recreating a look here and there of course).