As you're gearing up to go shopping for new things to wear in this upcoming fall season, it's important to know not just what items are in style but also what terrible trends should be shunned. Check out these best and worst fall fashions to make sure that your closet is simultaneously ready for cold weather and for a stylish season.

Worst Fall Fashions
1. Overwhelming amounts of brown. Yes, shades of brown are awesome to wear in autumn, but too much of a good thing can leave you looking dull.
2. Crazy prints on accessories and leggings. A busy pattern is unprofessional and immature (meaning that these pieces are useless in the workplace) and also distracting from the rest of your outfit.
3. Chokingly high necklines. Shirts and blouses that are buttoned all the way up to your neck can be flattering, but when paired with a poufy bow and excess fabric they can hurt instead of help your look.
4. Sequins. A holdover from summer fashions, while sequins are fun, finding someplace to wear sparkly clothes is the difficult part and you're probably better off spending your trendy expense account on more useable, practical items.
5. Bell sleeves. A bit of flounce is fashionable, but sleeves that are too big can add pounds and width to your entire body and ruin your look.

Best Fall Fashions
Short Coats
Just because summer is over doesn't mean you have to hide your midriff you worked so hard on. With versatile short coats like this gorgeous Semantiks 'Binary Blend' Belted Jacket, you can stay warm and chic without having to hide your fantastic shape. Dare to sport even shorter coats like these cropped jackets from Ann Taylor when the weather is warmer for an even trendier fashion statement this fall.

High Waists
Once reserved for nerds, high-waisted pants are a fall favorite in casual and nighttime wear. Once paired with an adorable ruffled blouse (another fall pick) and a pair of heels, your confidence will hike up as high as your pants. The trend is also nice on pencil skirts as well. Make sure to pick a gorgeous belt to show off your new silhouette!

Dramatic Makeup
You might be a fall fashionista, but while magazines and models are touting black and near-black lipstick and raccoon eyes as the next big thing, chances are you aren't interested in being mistaken for a zombie. However, dramatic eyes and bold lips are very fresh for fall, so if you're scared about going 180 degrees from your summer makeup, try slightly darkening your makeup with Fresh's Imperial Bedroom Face Palette. If you're sincerely interested in crossing way over to the dark side, try utilizing colors that aren't solid black, like a lipstick in wine.

Booties
This half shoe, half boot form of footwear is fantastically fashionable this year, so make sure your feet are covered and pick up a pair or two of booties. At the very least, you'll want a standard pair that you can wear with almost anything, like these Guess Peep-Toe Booties in black. Also consider shopping for a standout pair of booties that will draw even more attention to your tootsies, like these adorable Jessica Simpson Hamin Booties.

Plaids
Whether you're going back to school or just headed to work as usual, plaid is a classic and beautiful pattern that just screams fall. Whether you're looking to purchase a new plaid jacket for the upcoming chilly weather or a plaid backpack for your kids, plaids of all types are lovely and bold on just about everyone. Look for modern, wide plaids that are full of unexpected colors, like this Brushstroke Plaid Skirt.

Menswear Inspired Items
Who says tuxedos can only be worn by guys? Be a bit versatile and check out the amazing details on this season's most unique trend: menswear for women. From fitted vests in all types of fabrics to tuxedo inspired outfits like this Tuxedo Blazer, getting into what guys usually wear can be a welcome treat for those bored with ho-hum, expected fashions.

Cardigans
When shopping for a cardigan this season, don't expect to be underwhelmed by a bunch of sweaters that look like they belong on Mr. Rogers. Paired by themselves or with a tank top for layering purposes, this fall's cardigans are hip, comfortable, and wonderfully designed, offering the wearer a unique way to express themselves with bold patterns and prints, like the wide stripes on this long cardigan.

Patent Leather Accessories
Be prepared to shine brightly this fall with the tasty trend of patent leather making its way into every accessory imaginable, from bags, to belts of all widths, to boots, to headbands that adorably keep your hair in place. Because of its glossy appearance, patent leather accessories look especially pretty in bright, bold colors, a great example being these red patent leather bow flats.

Wide Legged Jeans
No fall collection can be complete without new denim pieces, and this year's stylish choices don't disappoint. Instead of the previous trend of super skinny jeans, this year's fall trend focuses on jeans that have wide legs and that are high-waisted, such as these funky ones. With bellbottom legs and a dark wash, you'll feel simultaneously retro and stylishly in-the-moment.

Tights and Leggings
Tights and leggings are excellent ways to keep legs warm underneath short skirts during cooler weather, but beware covering your gams in neon and metallic colors when entering professional environments. To make the most of the leggings and tights trend, stick with pretty patterns like these fishnet tights and calm colors like black, brown, and grey unless you're just going out on the town, which is when it's a great idea to break out a colorful bottom. If you're bold, why not try the newest trend of slick leggings?

Beanies
One of the more nostalgic fall fashion trends this season is the infamous beanie. Usually reserved for only kids and men, the beanie is such a useful and adorable piece that it's great to know that it's being acknowledged as fashionable this season. Wear a slouchy style and you can be sassy and effortless at the same time. You won't have same hat as everyone else with this beanie, which has built-in headphones for your iPod. Either way, have fun with this and the rest of the season's fabulous trends!

Want more hot picks for fall? Check out our Back to School Event!