The leaves haven’t started falling off the trees yet, but they are cropping up on clothing and accessories. Designers definitely took inspiration from nature this season and are using leaves and flowers to adorn sweaters, skirts, dresses and jewelry. Some are literal interpretations, whereas others are more abstract. Check out the slideshow after the jump and tell us whether this trend is suited to this time of year or does it only work in the spring.

The preppy costumes on Gossip Girl may be the reason why plaid is everywhere this Fall. But retailers have taken the pattern well beyond its uniform and hunter roots. This season you’ll find plaid in pastel hues and muted tones. Although plaid flannel is still a staple, designers are also offering plaid in unexpected fabrics like chiffon and taffeta. So check out the slideshow after the jump to learn how you can wear plaid from your shoulders to your toes.

When I was in high school, I went to a dance with a guy I wasn’t interested in. As my own little act of rebellion, I painted my nails a color called Toad—maybe I was trying to repel him?

Fast forward to last night. I was in the checkout line at an Urban Outfitters, and there was a container full of fall nail polish colors. There was a navy blue, some browns, and the olive green you see above. I decided I needed something to replace the neon shades I’ve been wearing all summer and impulse-bought the olive. Was it a mistake? Tell me if you think green polish is awesome or as repulsive as a toad.

Ignore this girl’s outfit and just focus on the hair. It’s a glorious auburn shade that will go wonderfully with autumn’s olive green, navy blue, and royal purple color palette. [Trender Bender]

Scarves are obviously a necessity during winter, when the temperatures drop to unbearable and every inch of skin needs to be covered. But scarves are also big for fall—called “transition” scarves, these are made of thin fabric, often colorful combinations, and are a little on the boho side. Perfect for when the weather is starting to cool, just a touch. Lauren Conrad recently said she loves to add a colorful thin scarf to an otherwise simple outfit to pull it all together. We like that idea too.

Autumn is my favorite season because, let’s face it, you have more clothing options in the next few months than you do the rest of the year. You can wear more than one layer without perspiring your weight in sweat but you don’t have to bundle up to protect against frostbite. You can wear some of your spring and summer clothes. You can wear some of your winter clothes. And you can start wearing corduroy, aka denim’s more sensitive first cousin and velvet’s more casual brother. Here are 10 items made from corde du roi, or “rope of the king,” as it was known back in the day.

This fall season the cardigan is making a statement. And that statement is: “Anything goes.” Whether stripes, bubble sleeves or silk-trim, the cardigan has definitely been updated. But don’t fret, old standbys—like a simple, over-sized cardigan—still feel current.

Since you’ll be stuffing your feet into boots for six months come November, why not have a little more toe-action with the latest crop of peep-toes, while you can? These shooties, booties and oxfords are sure to make the transition from summer to winter a lot easier, with their supple suede, classic leather and jewel tones. And you don’t even have to switch your bright toenail polish—this season is about breaking rules, after all.