fashion

What would any reality TV show be without sabotage, hypocrisy and heated arguments?

And that's not just the likes of "Survivor" and "I Love New York."

If you're watching your dollars during these rough economic times but don't want to give up salon trips, there are ways to save money while keeping your hair in good shape. Here are some tips from stylist Philip Pelusi.

Every year, throngs of women wait excitedly for boot season to begin, and with good reason. Few things complete an outfit like a sleek new pair of kicks, and this year variety is the spice of life -- with all manner of colors, heights, heels and materials available at the tips of our toes.

Breaking news: the economy is a hot mess.

Our would-be presidents are catfighting about it. We can't sell our homes for baked beans. Everyone is really grumpy and, frankly, our hair is starting to look bad. Leaping off the Sears Tower would be more pleasant.

The jumpsuit and its short-pant sister, the romper, weren't the only spring '09 trends evident on Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week runways earlier this month.

Here are 15 others that could make dressing next spring and summer a little more interesting:

Caftans

It was one of those things you hate to hear. The dreaded two words that will forever stick to me like a double stack of buckwheat pancakes: maternity capris.

The terror.

NEW YORK -- In tough economic times like these, smart fashion designers know how to make clothing look luxurious without resorting to all of the costly embellishments.

You gave up meat. You're no longer eating cheese. Now you want to give up wearing leather.

But there's one problem: Where do you find a decent pair of stylish shoes and still honor your beliefs?

The other night, I had a case of crankypantsitis. Students of science and medicine know there is one prescription: cookie dough, Diet Coke and DVDs.

My guy and I hit Blockbuster, then a very nice Publix. Once inside, I trembled in fear. On the quick grocery trip, I witnessed people wearing the following items of, er, apparel:

-- Four pairs pajama pants

New York Fashion Week gets bigger each season as more organizations feed off the intense media spotlight to showcase their style events before a global audience.