A brother is the one person who has a license to kick you when you’re down. That’s kind of their function—to prepare you for life’s hardships. But if you’re lucky and he’s older, he’s also the guy you turn to when you need advice on the opposite sex. No matter his age, a brother’s always willing to step in as your number-one protector, too. But what do you give your bro to show your love? We’ve got a few suggestions ...

Wardrobe emergencies have a habit of occurring when really you’re pressed for time. But we’ve got you covered. Here are quick fixes and solutions to even the biggest wardrobe nightmares, from huge stains to the dreaded broken heel.

I’ve noticed lately that many fashion magazines and blogs are referencing Madonna‘s style from eras past, as they’ve often done. Take, for instance, this mini photo spread from the October 2009 issue of InStyle, in which Madonna’s style influence is evident on three of today’s biggest pop stars—Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears. The only problem is the most recent look from Madonna that is reinterpreted is from 1994, which makes me wonder if anyone takes their fashion cues from her present style. Don’t get me wrong, Madonna is still fashionable, but is she also setting trends like she used to or is she simply following the fashion pack? Check out 10 of her recent looks, decide for yourself, and let me know your verdict in the comments. I’m sure you’ll definitely notice a color theme.

Everyone in the worlds of fashion, costume, culture, society, and celebrity are fair game when it comes to Italian illustrator Alexsandro Palombo, who captures his favorite icons in portraits on his Humor Chic blog. “When I put pencil to paper, I know where I’ll start but I don’t know where I’ll finish,” he writes, but each portrait ends up rather cheeky with a “childlike sweetness,” writes Deidre Woollard on Luxist. I wish I were important enough for Palombo to immortalize in portrait. One day, maybe.

Anyway, Exclusive, Anna Wintour Is Re-Elected Miss Vogue Editor recreates the moment when Condé Nast President Jonathan Newhouse crowned Anna Wintour Miss Vogue editor to everyone’s relief, writes Palombo who attended the secret festivities. Check out other cheeky drawings by Palombo that include Calvin Klein swinging like Tarzan and Queen Elizabeth wearing a fishnet bustier after the jump.

For some reason I’m obsessed with full skirts this season. Maybe it’s because separates seem to be replacing dresses again. I’m not going to question why I’m loving full skirts. I’d rather spend that energy shopping for them. Although the full skirt is only one element of an outfit, wearing one can be just as easy as putting on your favorite LBD. Most styles call for a perfect black T-shirt and black tights, but you can also pair a full skirt with a classic white Oxford shirt or a camisole/cardigan combo. Keep clicking for 14 sweet and chic full skirts.

Let’s face it, very few people have expendable cash to spend on a new fall wardrobe. Instead, most of us are looking for inexpensive ways to update our looks. If you live in a four-season climate, then you should put your money towards a fall jacket or coat because that’s what most people will see anyway. And when early spring comes around, you’ll already be prepared to bust it out again. Keep clicking for 14 fall coats under $50 that will leave you with enough money for hot cocoa.

Real animal skins were mankind’s first wardrobe essentials because we needed to stay warm. But in our modern times there’s no need to go for the real thing because there are so many faux fur and leather options. Now that the technology for making fakes has improved, the days of itchy, flammable-looking faux fur and trash bag-looking faux leather are far behind us. But the reasonable prices have remained. Keep clicking for our favorite guilt-free faux leather and fur outerwear picks.

We haven’t wanted to adorn ourselves with bows (not counting bowties, of course) since we were little girls. But so many designers are currently doing bow accessories in adult and, dare I say, edgy ways that still convey a bit of whimsy. I’m craving the Bronze Bow Brooch (slide 7) and the Forget Me Knot Bow-Tie Ring (slide 2), but I’m sure you’ll love the other bow accessories just as much, so keep clicking.

There was a time when it was considered impolite for a lady to be without gloves in public. I imagine that remembering gloves along with everything else a woman needs for an outing would have been a real pain in the butt. Recently, however, the ladies of “Mad Men” have shown us how chic leather gloves can look with ‘50s and ‘60s style outfits. But really, leather gloves add a little sumthin’ sumthin’ to almost any fall or winter outfit. Keep clicking for inspiration on how to rock long gloves, short gloves, and driving gloves, and, as an added bonus, you can pick up most of the featured items at your local mall.

We’ve already divulged our secrets for wearing over-the-knee boots without looking like a hooker, but we’d like to show you some other options for this footwear that can fit into any woman’s wardrobe. There are flat boots, high heel boots, suede ones, leather ones, and, fortunately, even convertible options. So keep clicking to find the pair that you’ll be dying to purchase and will wear all season long.

High shine for day is in this fall, whether it be via patent, metallics or sequins. While we fully acknowledge that patent leather and its cousin polyurethane can seem a little costumey when done in heavy doses, thankfully, there are a number of patent shoes and accessories in colors other than black, red, and white, which comes off a little cheap at times. Also, keep in mind it’s best to stick to one or two pieces of patent at a time, so you don’t look like Catwoman or sweat yourself to death. Keep clicking for ways to add some patent shine into your wardrobe.

We realize most women don’t have the luxury of wearing just about anything to work like we do. Most have to wear stuffy business attire, like a plain black suit, that can be rather boring. We don’t suggest you challenge your company’s dress code (we know you need that job), but we do have some suggestions for adding a little spice to your work wardrobe. Depending on the dress code, you can adopt patterned tights, colorful heels and flats, sparkly brooches, or unique belts (for a subtle change) into your wardrobe. That way you stay true to your style and HR stays happy. Keep clicking for ways to spice up your workwear.

Rihanna was spotted in NYC wearing this cross-body bag with an armor pad at the shoulder. While this purse really doesn’t gel with our fashion tastes, we do admit that all the attention the shoulder is getting this season from designers and retailers is kind of cool. You can go simple with the trend with an off-the-shoulder “Flashdance”-esque top. Or bold with shoulder-padded jackets and shirts that are reminiscent of the power suits of the ‘80s. Keep clicking for 15 ways to adopt this trend.

Not since the ‘70s have wedge heels been so popular. Thankfully, designers have left the live goldfish out of their creations this time around, but one element all the designers have agreed on is heel height. Some towering wedges even go as high as six inches! That’s rather impractical for the average woman, as are the crazy high prices of the high-end wedges. Luckily, there are many wedge-heeled shoes available now to transition between summer and fall that won’t break the bank. Check out these more budget-friendly options in the slideshow. In case you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, the buying info for these high-end wedges is below.

Sure, the T-shirt is one of the simplest garments, but when it’s been embellished with sequins, embroidery, or some other bits, it becomes the focus of any outfit. It’s time for you to go beyond the basic tee, and we’ve got 11 picks for you.

A.N. Original Jewelry Shop Tiny Silver Whimsical Teapot Necklace, $38, Etsy

I’ve never been a coffee drinker. While I love the smell of roasting beans and brewing pots, my taste buds can’t handle the bitter taste. So, I’m a tea girl through and through. I even had a tea-party birthday when I was about eight years old. Iced black tea got me through late nights studying in high school, and being introduced to chai in college was like meeting my soul mate. While coffee became the cool caffeinated beverage when the rise of Starbucks and other chains brought fancy brews to the masses, tea is entering the spotlight in the realm of fashion accessories. I just hope no one thinks that by wearing this little teapot necklace, I’m declaring myself short and stout.

Not that you’re really thinking about tights at this juncture in the summer—but with fall clothing invading the stores, hey, they are in your not-so-distant future! So, yeah, we all have that black opaque pair—but what if you wanted to get a bit more frisky (pun sort of intended) with your legwear? Well, we’ve got your answer(s). And the first up on this epic crazy-ass cool tights tour is this hand-painted pair from an Israeli textile designer. [Gal Stern]