Tory Burch was also feeling the pervasive 1970s theme during her spring/summer 2011 show. The designer's collection had a decidedly '70s aesthetic with flared-bottom pants, billowy blouses and platform wedges. Even the color scheme--navy, bold orange and gold and plenty of brown--exuded a '70s feel.

Standout pieces included a navy mid-calf length a-line skirt with an orange-and-ivory sunburst pattern, as well as a rich camel leather mid-calf skirt topped with a bright pumpkin blouse.

Front Row Roll Call: Kanye West, Anna Wintour.

Nanette Lepore's collection also had a vintage feel. High-waisted retro bikinis in colorful floral patterns shared the runway with a glittery gold mini-shirtdress that had a decidedly disco feel. A long, flowing light pink embellished dress looked so comfy and airy--perfect for afternoon cocktails on a hot summer day.

Front Row Roll Call: Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Kristin Chenoweth, Aida Turturro, Stanley Tucci, Natasha Bedingfield.

See all the looks in our New York Fashion Week gallery.

Tory Burch (sold locally at boutiques such as Vermillion in North Hills) is managing to keep her brand growing, despite the economic slowdown. Here's a great Q-and-A with Tory in the Wall Street Journal about how the company has navigated the downturn and what it has done to keep the business strong, despite overall slower consumer spending.

It's hard to believe it's almost time to start thinking about jackets. But I had an e-mail recently from the manager of the Uniquities store in Chapel Hill, Katie Underhill, who had all the scoop on what's hot and new in jackets.

Among them: Military-style jackets, including one from Tory Burch (btw, new to the store for fall) that is quite stunning, quite different. It's a brown leather jacket, aptly called the Sgt. Pepper Jacket (shown here), which sells for $839. According to Underhill, the jacket is chic and on-trend. "It's also very subtle and feminine so you won't feel like you just stepped off a battlefield," she wrote in the e-mail.

Another stunner: A wool military-style peacoat (also by Tory Burch) with gold star buttons on the front and on the sleeves, which are gathered at the shoulders to add a touch of femininity. It's called the Callum (my nephew's name!) and sells for $547.

(Photo courtesy of Uniquities)

If you shop some of the higher-end stores enough, you'll know that this isn't a sale that comes around often.

So if you've been lusting after one of those new colorful Bottega Veneta handbags or a dainty knot clutch (to the right), now's your chance to jump. Vermillion has Bottega bags and shoes on sale 30 percent off today through Saturday.

Also look for what's become a local fave, Tory Burch shoes and bags, on sale 20 percent off at the North Hills store.