Ten Trends To Buy Now

Amid whispers of the recession's end, retailers are still finding it difficult to get shoppers in stores. According a weekly survey conducted by consulting firm Gallup, year-over-year consumer spending was down 39% in the last week of September 2009.

Designers, perhaps cognizant of shippers' needs for classic basics, have rolled out a handful of investment-worthy pieces that will last several seasons.

For men, that means twists on the classics, such as the pea coat. "It's a key piece for guys right now," says Paul Birardi, co-owner of Odin New York, a group of men's designer boutiques in Manhattan. Odin carries several versions ranging from a traditional navy virgin wool-nylon blend from label Our Legacy to a reinterpretation of the look--with exposed seaming and a navy plaid print--from designer Richard Chai.

Men's brogues, or oxfords, add some visual texture to an otherwise simple ensemble. What's more, they can be as easily worn with a suit as they can with dark denim. Slim-fitting oxford shirts from labels like Band of Outsiders and Steven Alan also complement this overall look. "An oxford shirt is relevant now, but it will never look outdated," says Michael Williams, a menswear expert and co-owner of New York fashion showroom Paul and Williams.

Trendier types might consider the flat-bottom tie, first popular in the 1950s and '60s. Brooklyn based company The Hill-Side creates its khaki version with Japanese cotton.

Ladies' Choice
Classicists who want something fresh but refined will be happy to hear that, after seasons of towering pumps, delicate kitten heels are back. Manolo Blahnik, the shoe designer credited with inventing the half-inch to two-inch heel, offers a few styles for fall, including a pointy-toed slingback in bronze-colored snakeskin.

But not all of this season's trends are traditional. Women have the chance to play with wild prints and strong shoulders. Leopard is lining shop racks on staples such as cashmere cardigans and ballet flats. Accented shoulders are an even bolder choice. Worried about looking like a 1980s remnant in thick shoulder pads? Try puffed sleeves instead, like those on Derek Lam's cashmere cardigan.

Indeed, these looks might be trendy, but most are fail-safe. Says Berlin-based designer Andrea Karg: "Customers want things to last a lifetime, not a season."