The Absolute Best Looks to Walk the Runways of New York Fashion Week

Calvin Klein went cozy and casual in a relaxed collection that balanced laid-back boots and knits with Francisco Costa's trademark tailoring.

Who needs 50 shades when just one looks this strong? The classic designer made a case for monochrome with head-to-toe stunners like this caped gray gown.

Marc Jacobs's light-as-air show extended from the clouds mounted on the show space's ceiling to the fluffy pastel outerwear.

Colorful fur also came in jewel tones when J. Mendel punctuated his collection with striking outerwear.

You don't need to push envelopes to get attention; sometimes a classic will do. That was the case for both Michael Kors's designs and the models who wore them (including Carolyn Murphy, Frankie Rayder, Karen Elson, and Jacquetta Wheeler).

The only thing louder than the rich hues employed in Marchesa's Fall designs were the asymmetric silhouettes that were formed by everything from cascading silk to fluffy plumes.

Preaching to the choir of minimalism, Reed Krakoff stuck to expert tailoring to let his designs stand out. And if there were any bells and whistles, those would be the luxe Krush bags that had the audience swooning.

Prints? Dead? Not at Proenza Schouler, where the designer paired high-contrast woodgrain with rounded shoulders and a hint of midriff (count those as two more trends that are here to stay, according to Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez).

If there's any trend hotter than DIY, we haven't heard of it. Though Nanette Lepore's berry creations weren't exactly replicable on Pinterest, shirring and crafty fabrics gave them a made-by-hand feel.

It's been a while since we've been so stopped in our tracks at a Marc by Marc Jacobs show. But with a new creative director and head of design at the helm of the race-car-inspired Fall collection, it's full speed ahead.

This wouldn't be the first time a Rodarte collection could be described as "out of this world," but it would be the first occasion when we could take the term literally. With standout prints directly depicting classic Star Wars characters on gowns, the force is definitely with Kate and Laura Mulleavy.

What good is sitting alone in your room when velvet, cabaret-inspired sweats are demanding to be seen? The Weimar-era Berlin influence extended to other rich textures like fringe, fur, and leather while muted hues blended effortlessly with loads of sparkle.

The question isn't if but which star will hit the Oscars in Oscar. While hot hues and embroidery made this design a standout, a softer palette kept to this season's pastel trend as well.

Tory Burch went medieval on us with a clever collection inspired by armor, chain mail, and tapestries. This leather look made the Old World techniques look positively modern.

How do you top a Target collaboration? Phillip Lim went big with a collection influenced by pop-art that included bold color combos and oversize accessories.

Donna Karan feted 30 years of style with a retrospective collection that included iconic pieces like her puffer with sparkle worthy of a celebration.

The designer's "whimsical play on proportions" saw Park Avenue-worthy models in oversize silhouettes and exaggerated accessories.

The cool brand made us want to snuggle up with something voluminous next Fall. While cozy knit sets like this camel opener tempted us to relax, sleek accessories made us consider a walk on the more severe side.

Zac Posen is known for two things: gowns and construction. This runway design exemplified both with a tricky contoured shape.

What season is it again? Derek Lam reminded us that pretty hues know no season with lovely pastel looks.

What better way to celebrate DVF's iconic design than with a series of golden dresses to wrap up her runway show?

She's already a celebrity favorite with her severely sleek sheaths, but prepare to see a whole new side of Victoria Beckham with her most red-carpet-ready gowns ever.

You didn't have to be a model to model DKNY's New York-inspired designs — just ask Hannah Bronfman!

What's Fall's most unique print? It's Opening Ceremony's fingerprint-inspired motif.

In the same spirit as the designer's Spring 2013 glow-in-the-dark finale, Alexander Wang closed his Brooklyn venture with heat-activated separates that turned colors before showgoers' eyes — that is, if they could look up long enough from Wang's new half boot shape to see.

Tibet may not seem a likely source of inspiration for sexy eveningwear, but monks' red robes proved to be a shockingly sultry reference.

Were they pants? Were they skirts? They were both, and we wanted them all from Tibi's soft collection.

Pretty lace dresses are no surprise at a Monique Lhuillier show. But look closer. That brushed gold fabric was no ordinary lace: embroidered skulls gave a shockingly dark twist to Lhuillier's red-carpet-ready looks.

From the outside, they were chic, solid coats. But inside lay unexpected pops of color linings that would make taking these coats off just as fun as wearing them.

Let's be honest: the clothes are something to talk about, but the accessories are the real star of a Rag & Bone show. With covetable backpacks, totes, and shearling boots hitting the runway, we (almost!) missed the charming embroidered bowler shirts that landed a spot on our wish list among the shoes and bags.

Sexy, slinky eveningwear stole the show at Jason Wu, where we found ourselves wooed by the alluring balance of coverage and skin.

Helmut Lang's slouchy, cozy knits remind us that we can be equally comfortable and stylish as the temperature drops. After all, who wouldn't sizzle in this scarlet knit set?

If you've ever realized the appeal of a cowboy, Cushnie et Ochs suggests you try their hats on for size. That the dresses Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs paired the headgear with demonstrated all the sexy trademarks of the line didn't hurt either!

Kate Spade New York wants to take us on a trip to Tokyo next Fall. And if that means cute and quirky accessories like this birdcage bag and laced heels (and not to mention a big white bow tie), we're booking a ticket immediately!

Coach was out of this world for the label's first Fashion Week presentation with Americana influences, like this Apollo 1 sweater.

Grunge got a glam spin from rich jewel tones and the accompaniment of slim lines and luxurious fabrics.

The theme was fairy tales, which might be the reason why we're already fantasizing about owning this structured coat next Fall.

One of the edgiest looks to come down the 25th anniversary BCBG runway was a layered leather style that made us eager to see what the future will bring for one of our longtime favorites.

The lovely collection of layered, feminine pieces balanced girlie elements with a cool vibe. Case in point: leather and bows!