Whether you’re headed to Fashion Week as a reporter, blogger or just to get a head-start on your spring wardrobe, there are some necessities and “emergency kit” items anyone would need for a week full of fashion shows. Here are our essential picks for New York Fashion Week veterans and newbies.

Camera

Needless to say, Fashion Week is a feast for the eyes. Beautiful clothes, styles and people will be overflowing from the runway. Having a good digital camera on hand is a must. Several fashion industry celebrity bloggers told Harper’s Bazaar that a camera is among their top three Fashion Week essentials.

Notebook

You’ll need to take notes and sketches to keep track of the shows, celebrities and designs. Many new designers are debuting this year. Venus Williams will be at Fashion Week fresh from the Olympics to show her new athletic-wear line, EleVen. Katie Holmes will also be debuting a new line, Holmes & Yang. Taking good notes will keep everything straight for your blogs and tweets.

Comfortable Shoes

Two things Fashion Week has a lot of: models and walking. Of course you don’t want to sacrifice style at these events, but staying comfortable will get you through those long hours of fashion. With numerous shows taking place all day, a good pair of shoes or sandals will save you a lot of pain and stress.

Coffee

Chances are you won’t be getting much sleep this week. With non-stop runway shows and fabulous parties by this year’s official sponsor, SKYY Vodka, there will be too much to do. Equipping yourself with a strong cup of coffee might be a lifesaver. Good thing there is a Starbucks on practically every corner in New York.

Schedule

With sometimes 15 shows a day, it’s important to know which ones are a priority to you and what times they start because, realistically, you will not be able to see them all. Make a schedule. This Spring 2013 Fashion Week is also hosting the 9th annual Style Awards at the Lincoln Center. This is the first time the awards will be broadcast in primetime on the Style Network on September 13.

Music and Books

Having something to do during downtime is a good idea. Keep your iPod or a favorite book handy. Anything to keep you occupied and help alleviate any stress. Remember, there are large amounts of people at every turn. According to Vogue, jewelry designer, Eddie Borgo, lists, “Edie: American Girl” by Jean Stein and George Plimpton as his Fashion Week read. Designer Prabal Gurung said, “Nothing like a great song to serve as a mental break from pre-show prep.”

Keeping these necessities on hand will help you look like a pro at this year’s Mercedez-Benz New York Fashion Week. You should be worry-free (for the most part) and able to enjoy the fashion, celebrities and events while expressing and celebrating your own style and originality. Like fashion blogger Garance Doré told Harper’s Bazaar, “Everybody should feel free to experiment, especially during fashion week. It’s a celebration of creativity!”

A good first impression is crucial. If it looks like you put some effort into your outfit, he translates that into, “she cares and wants to be here.”

Read on for a few fall outfits for classic first date scenarios. After you slip your foot into that cute ankle bootie, it’s up to you to seal the deal with that irresistible personality

Coffee or Lunch

Bag | Jeans | Oversized Sweater | Retro Sunglasses | Ankle Boots

For this casual date, aim for comfy-cute! Try an oversized sweater with a pair of dark skinny jeans and ankle boots. Add flair with a pair of cute sunglasses, a shoulder bag and accessories. It says, “Yup, I look this great without even trying trying.”

Dinner and Movie

Oversized Sunglasses | Blazer | Blouse | Jeans | Ballet Flats | Clutch

The movie keeps this date fairly casual. Be prepared for a burger joint or low-key place so leave the heels at home (note: if you’re going somewhere nice or just doing dinner, opt for heels). Try dark skinny jeans, a slightly sexy blouse, and flats. Grab your sunnies, a dressy bag, and make him swoon!

Drinks

Shoulder Bag |Mary Jane Heels |LBD | Blazer | Cat Eye Sunglasses

A cocktail date requires a certain amount of sophistication, so play dress-up. Keep in mind it’s a first date so you don’t want to reveal too much. Try a fitted black dress and cute cropped jacket with understated heels. Throw on a pair of sunglasses and grab a clutch and you’re ready to go!

Outdoor Festival

Wayfarer Sunglasses | Faux Fur Vest | Jeans | Sweater | Bag | Riding Boots

Dressing for this fun first date is sometimes tough due to Mother Nature’s unpredictability. Whether you’re going apple picking or to a beer-fest, for fall, try a pair of coloured, skinny jeans or cords and boots. Add a long-sleeved tee or sweater (depending on the weather) and a fabulous faux fur vest. Don’t forget your wayfarer sunglasses and bag!

Author’s Bio

Guest author, Maggie, is a fashion-crazed writer living in Indianapolis. Maggie loves staying active, shopping (duh), traveling, and trying new restaurants.

Leather and Laces:

This year from fall to winter will prove to tie up the holidays. Leather with restrictive laces will be all the rage. High boots with full laces from toe to top will be desired by fashionistas everywhere. Modest corsets with embellished laces will hug the fashion trendy and keep them warm all season.

Colour, colour, and more colour:

From soft lavender to a bright yellow, colours will drape the rainbow of fashion across the runways. Every colour from a soft pastel to a modest earth tone and even fun and funky bright pinks, greens and yellows will show personal style as they are paired with leopard and snake prints.

Fun and funky designs are promised for the fashion masses. We have already seen the released Missoni zig zags get snatched by all the hipsters that want to express their quirky and fun personalities this season. Pastel patch-worked outfits and more fun patterns are still promised to come.

Textures:

From faux fur, to lace, and leather. This year will pair the hard and the soft to create a look as versatile as the woman wearing it. Softer cottons, silk, and lace will have accents of studs, leather, and even latex. Diamonds, chrome, and beads are going to be accessorizing these interesting trends for the fall and winter months.

Hairstyles:

Fashion isn’t always about clothing and accessories. This year comes with a variety of hairstyles to compliment the new fashions and bring fun to the streets. From ponytails to curls this year’s theme seems to be longer hairstyles. Braided looks are going to be seen from the streets to the office and even the runways. With so many different styles to create in braids and ties, the possibilities are only limited to your creativity.

Updo’s of all types were also seen in the flashes of the fashion show cameras. From tighter, sleeker, more elegant buns to fun and loose top buns, the updo is going to be hot this year. With a different do for every occasion it will be as individual as the outfit it’s complimenting.

Bangs will be making a comeback this year also. As well as the middle part. Expect to see classic style in the streets as simplicity takes over the style. Easy to maintain and yet stylish, these do’s will keep the busy woman on track while keeping her in style.

Regardless of your personality, lifestyle or budget, this year’s trends will be comfortable, fun and frisky. With an emphasis on simplicity, functionality and ease, Fall/Winter 2011 will offer plenty of personality and holiday joys.

Author’s Bio

Music teacher Genevieve Armstrong loves traditional songs from many countries, and uses the www.christmassongs.org website to find a wide variety of Christmas lyrics and new ideas for choir performances.

Yesterday’s much anticipated Alexander Wang fall 2011 ready-to-wear collection at New York Fashion Week came just a day after the designer won the GQ prize for best new menswear in America. At the womenswear show, a slew of dewy faced no-nonsense models were the embodiment of casual chic as they stomped out Wang’s vision of fusion sportswear. By exaggerating and deconstructing traditional elements of formal dress such as tuxedo jackets, cummerbunds and bib dress shirts and then going on to layer them with foreign elements such as fur trim and billowing poncho cuts, Wang gave a decadent yet rebellious and wonderfully wearable take on formal wear. The calculated use of silks, sheers, furs and knits created depth throughout the collection and the limited colour palette of camel, shades of grey and black re-established a sense of classicism. Workable zippers and loose streamers rendered garments transient, adding volume and movement to even the most simple pieces. The cherry on top were Wang’s tongue in cheek accessories, which included fur lined goggles (a take on bunny earmuffs and eye protection all in one?) and dainty metallic heeled slippers.

Alexander Wang’s fall collection was a refreshing burst of juxtapositions in the safe bubble of ready-to-wear; hard and soft, masculine and feminine, old and new. Redefining what it means to be elegant and feminine, Wang once again reminded us of the beauty in both tradition as  well as the unexpected. With clothes like this, even the most summer happy fashionistas will be looking forward to channeling their inner Earharts this fall!

Author’s Bio

Kaja Jorgensen is a partner in The Traum Groupe, a Toronto based graphic communications agency with an emphasis on fashion and visual storytelling. She studied fashion communication at Ryerson’s School of Fashion.