So where are some of these hidden spots for style? Here is a list of the top most unexpectedly fashionable cities (in no particular order of surprising-ness).

Lisbon Fashion Week in Cascais, Portugal

Lisbon Fashion Week
Cascais, Portugal
An eclectic range of haute couture can be found on the runway in Cascais, with particularly daring designers taking risks with your average cocktail dresses, and men’s outerwear. My favorites this year were the outrageous taffeta shoulder embellishments and extreme equestrian trends.

Cape Town Fashion Week
Cape Town, South Africa
One of the premiere ‘new world’ fashion weeks, Cape Town doesn’t see the same amount of international publicity but has long been a favorite haunt for fashion’s elite.  More than just  women’s swimwear (which is a natural strength with extreme heat and deserts nearby),

Chile Fashion Week
Santiago, Chile
Are you noticing a trend among this  list? A great deal of cities happen to be in warmer climates. Somehow you don’t find much high fashion coverage where layers of fabric are always necessary. Much of the exotic, beach-y trends translate well around the world, but you will still find some particularly daring designers taking big risks in Chile.

Tunis Fashion Week
Tunis, Tunisia
Chic, sexy looks can be found in Tunisa – the designers here aren’t afraid to show some skin. Bikinis galore! Tunis is the largest city at just 1.2 million people, but small as the country might be, their fashion week packs a powerful, sensual punch.

Lakme Fashion Week
Mumbai, India
A big change from the skimpy collections found in other locales, Mumbai’s runway is a lovely mix of conservatively styled high fashion. Socialites flock to the front row for Fashion Week, soaking it up and taking home plenty of inspiration to spice up their own closets.

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There are so many reasons to appreciate a floor length print dress such as this gorgeous Bluemarine creation on the Milan runway. And yet, I don’t usually find myself adding many dresses like this to my closet. In part this might be because Toronto summers don’t usually last long enough to justify such indulgences, and of course there’s the fact that I’m not usually lounging at fancy parties in Mexico where such attire would be chic and necessary.

Image: Newscom

Indeed, I’m usually a t-shirt and jeans girl – the occassional mini-skirt might come out during an evening up to no good around town…but this isn’t quite the right choice for dancing the night away to indie dance pop.

All this might change this summer though, since a dress like this – which eschews the typical bold flower print – might win me over and cause more delightful palettes to appear on the scene.

The five reasons I love this style of dress so much? Well here they are.

Flattery gets you everywhere. I can’t think of a body type that wouldn’t look delicious in this dress. Pear shaped? No problem, the flowing bottom will camouflage your derriere. Small up top? Observe how womanly this pin-thin model looks. Though a more buxom chest might need additional support, it’s safe to say this is a winner you could share with friends.

‘Yes’ to accessories. Such a deep cut V is daring you to accent your cleavage with a short chunky piece or long delicate gold. No doubt the outfit would look positively incomplete without a bracelet or two as well.

Hello, peep-toe. Give me sexy pumps with jewels and slinky straps. This isn’t the time for boring heels…liven things up with shoes you never dreamed you could wear. Onlookers will only see a taste of your fabulous feet. (book your pedicure now..!)

To the back, to the back. I’m all for showing a little leg, but this silhouette has the added benefit of accentuating your waist and a strong, muscular back . Most women forget just how sexy a female neck and back can truly be…but let me tell you ladies, he’ll appreciate what you’re flaunting here.

Bring on the sun…my final reason is a plea for summer to get here faster. I’m tired of Uggs and scarves and slushy streets. Having this dress hanging around is a reminder that warm days are around the corner!

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Pam Hogg Fashion Show - Newscom

London fashion designer, Pam Hogg captivates with a distinctive funky rubberwear punk look. The girls in her show have a powerful almost androgynous ‘cyborg’ appeal – made fun by the technicolor florescent stripes and accents. The overall aesthetic immediately catches your attention and it’s really no wonder that Pam is making waves across Europe.

But how can you incorporate skin tight brights and multi-color fur into your wardrobe? Well, this is not a fashion statement that should be approached by the faint of heart. Here are the top ten reasons you might want to reconsider taking Pam Hogg’s approach to fashion too seriously and might want to merely look to her for subtle inspiration.

1. If the thought of incorporating rubber into a daywear outfit (or for that matter, evening attire) leaves you panicked and feeling claustrophobic.

2. When you look at the models, you think that they must have just partied too hard the night before; there’s no way these makeup decisions were intentional.

Pam Hogg Fashion Show - Newscom

3. Neutrals, neutrals, and more neutrals account for 90% of your style choices.

4. A high heel for you is anything more than a ballet flat. You will not survive in these “big girl shoes” without some dedicated practice.

5. You don’t have a stylist. Or a hairstylist. Or a makeup artist. Or…

6. The number of fashion shows where you have been in the front row can be counted on one hand.

7. You work in any job that requires you to be in front of clients that would assume Sass & Bide is a new kind of spice when you use it in a sentence.

8. The reality TV show based on your life doesn’t start filming until 2010. Or ever.

9. No one has tried to make you go to rehab.

10. Unfortunately, your hair just isn’t long enough to pull off the bedhead updo every day.

Pam Hogg Fashion Show - Newscom

It is probably safe to say at least one of those answers rung in as a ‘no’ for you – but if not, I suggest you give Pam Hogg’s designs a try. Of course, if you are still coveting the look, but know better when it comes to your own personal style, then I suggest checking out some of Forever 21’s neon accessories to ease yourself in.

Neon Bangle - Forever21

Neon Splatter Clutch

Lacquered Hoop Earrings

Product Images: Forever21.com

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This year’s NYFW was a spectacular affair. Lots of glamour, beautiful colors and interesting statements. Thankfully, there are still models strutting down the runway in London and Madrid (the city that famously banned emaciated models from participating in fashion shows). Here are some of my favorite picks and how I suggest you apply the fabulous fundamentals of each look to your own wardrobe.

Nicole Farhi Autumn Winter 2009 - Newscom

Skinny belts and pencil skirts are very chic. It is essential that you pair such a potentially lumpy sweater with slimming accents and colors on your bottom half if you are ever going to pull this off. Notice the vertical lines on the skirt and how neatly cinched the belt is right at her waist. It’s hard to make wool look so elegant, but this is balanced quite nicely.

Erdem Autumn/Winter 2009 - Newscom

Bold jewel tones beat out light pastels. What a statement these colors make. I don’t think I like the three quarter sleeves with an (almost) empire waist, but the combination of royal blue and gold, along with hints of ruby red in the fabric collar is rather delightful. As far as her makeup, the lipstick is divine, but I don’t suggest you try such a washed out look in your own bathroom.

Twenty8Twelve by Sienna and Savannah Miller - Newscom

Black tights and booties aren’t going anywhere just yet. The ankle boot trend has been around long enough that you should be rather comfortable with the idea by now. However I do understand if it still feels a little outside your comfort zone. The black tights and flowing brown mini dress are a nice relaxed combination for the laid back party girl.

Twenty8Twelve by Sienna and Savannah Miller - Newscom

Knits and scarves and khaki, oh my! Though all three elements in combination evoke something of a fashionista in the wilderness, each item would do well in any closet. The knit beret is a classic piece that will go in and out of style frequently enough that I suggest investing the time and money finding one you really love. Scarves were knotted as if for a cowboy last season and now we have this interesting configuration. It works, I suppose. But for safety sake I say focus on the hat.

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Anyway…

You might be wondering how to keep up with all the fabulous style moments you’re missing by not being in New York among the fashion elite. You could wait for next month’s fashion magazines to hit the stand, but where would be the fun in that?

Here are my top eight online resources for fashion week recaps, mishaps and up to the minute information:

Fashion Week Daily
Video, soundbytes, photos and more. This is a a fantastic resource for quickly catching up on the latest news before your boss notices you aren’t hard at work on that report due this afternoon.

Youtube
More videos! So many videos! You will almost feel like it’s you there holding up your Flip Mino camcorder to capture every moment dripping with style.

Hot Mama Daily
My Splendicity colleague, Tracy Hopkins, is making me all jealous by snapping “I’m right here!” pics and recapping her front row coverage. I’m considering just showing up on her doorstep next year for fashion week and pretending we discussed it, no big deal…(”What..you don’t remember? You said it was okay…”)

Just Jared
If you’re more interested in the celebrities buzzing around New York than the actual runway action, Just Jared is on the scene. Nary a catwalk in sight, this is all about the paparazzi shots and who in Hollywood dared to make the trek to New York in…brrrrrr…winter.

Fashion Week News
Fashion week coverage from around the world – this is their topic, all year round, always. Makes sense that it should be a top destination for soaking up all the details you missed by not being there.

All About The Pretty
Beautimous indeed! Backstage videos, realistic synopses – this is the kind of coverage that would never be used in a mainstream publication, but is the reason why fashionable girls all around are oh so grateful for the internet.

Image: Newscom

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