"[Every fall] growing up, my mom would take us all shopping and we'd get a whole new wardrobe," says boutique owner Lindsay Buscher with a nostalgic smile.

The brains and buyer behind Georgetown's Urban Chic beams when she looks back at memories of the fall season and the "new start" it symbolizes—and if you're not also a little excited, you should be.

What's not to love? Rich colors, layering, fun textures, and sweat-free days. You don't have to be in school to appreciate the joys of "Back to School"-season fashion.

On Tap spoke with many of the area's gear gurus for a sneak peek at what's in store for fall fashions, and ladies and gentlemen, get your composition books ready 'cause you're gonna need to start taking notes.

INDIAN—ERR, BOHEMIAN SUMMER
Can't get enough of the fun, flowy skirts and blouses from the spring and summer? Not to worry—look for the bohemian craze to continue through fall, although colors will take a turn down the color gradient in favor of darker hues.

Kathy Atkinson of All About Jane notes that the fall's hippie-like threads are "richer" and have more detailing. Chocolate brown, magenta or wine, and rich azure are among the revamped shades we found on the fall racks. Don't be surprised to find pieces elaborately embroidered, beaded -- like one top at Jane that makes use of Indian beads, a fun twist on the decorative craze -- or accented by metallic threads or warm gold sequins.

And if you can't afford a new $100 Boho-chic skirt, then just pair your summer one with a foliage-toned long sleeve top, or a darker sweater set.

LOVING LACE
Now that Madonna's busy studying the Kabalah, someone's got to keep her fashionable past alive. Yes, it's true ladies: lace is back.

If you're ready to embrace it, head to Georgetown's new vintage outpost, Annie Creamcheese, for a fun collection of throwback fashions, including see-through long-sleeve lace blouses and pillowy Victorian-style tops. Owner/president Garrett Bauman says that it's common for customers to see some of the store's garish garb on the hanger and laugh, "But the trick to vintage is to try it on," he urges. You might surprise both yourself and your friends with your one-of-a-kind find.

Annie Creamcheese keeps its eye on the fads and, while priding itself on presenting D.C. with the very best selection of high-quality vintage apparel, always seems to have several pieces that are fun takes on the trend.

Other stores in the area will present more contemporary Victorian-influenced items, including Up Against the Wall and Commander Salamander. A buyer from these stores said patrons can expect to see "lace, velvet, and filagree detailing" popping up on their racks and around town. High-collar blouses are in for sure, says Buscher, and Sugar's Tobi Macey loves the "romantic ruffle blouses" and "puffed sleeves" she's seen at the buyers' shows.

RIDE 'EM
If you prefer a more laid-back look, start polishing those boots up because Western is in. At Commander Salamander, On Tap saw a great line of fitted Western-style long-sleeve plaid button-down shirts with fun sequin detailing that perfectly wed the cowboy and the cowgirl. Pair one of these tops with a pair of slim-fit jeans tucked into boots, and you've got the look completed.

Maybe you're not into commitments and you'd rather mix up styles. Go for a pair of cowboy boots—styles now are more feminine than the chunky lugs of yore—or the old standby: the cowboy hat.

Similarly, pants are fit for the rodeo this season as well. The "gaucho," or baggy, style that began to emerge in spring and summer styles is still big in the fall. Cropped pants with flowing lines—slightly form-fitting up top with varying degrees of flared bottoms—take you from hot to cold weather in just two steps: 1) take off strappy sandals; 2) put on sexy boots.

GO FOR GOLD
Slouchy hobo bags brought gold to the forefront this past season, and look for the metallic glow to continue enlightening fall's fashions. While metallics as a whole are part of the fad, gold will have the highest value this autumn. Macey says that even leathers are going for the gold this fall.

Atkinson says "handbags are more metallics" this season for sure, and she plans to carry clutches in the shiny tones.

Mauro Farinelli, one half of Arlington's new Denim Bar, informs us that "your more trendy denim follows the fashions," and denims are getting dressed up, too, with metal threads for a bit of extra heat in the cooler months to come.

COLOR CUES
Beyond the glittery gleams of periodic elements, what colors are hot depends on who you talk to, and on your own personal style. Buscher sees "lots of plums, hunter greens" incorporated into the season's various styles. She also, along with Atkinson, says black is back—for both casual/work attire and evening wear. Macey indicates that browns and "earthy" hues will be popular. Navy is also big, as seen in Paper Denim's navy blue felt military jacket, carried at Urban Chic and several other area stores.

BELT AND CINCH?
If you don't remember the "Saturday Night Live" GAP parody from years ago, all you need to know is "Just belt it, and cinch it!" served as a huge reminder of everything that was so, so wrong with the '80s for much of the population.

But time heals all wounds and the world comes full circle, and here we are in 2005, faced once more with the "belt and cinch." Only this time, it's cooler. Slouchier. Not as cinched. Belts are increasingly an outfit's finishing touch, particularly as shirt hemlines continue to drop (store owners surveyed indicated everything from tanks to sweaters is long this season -- even better for layering). Fall is no different; keep your eyes out for thick belts, thin belts, sequined belts, and yep...braided belts. While you can tighten around your natural waist, I recommend letting it fall slightly lower and letting it sit asymmetrically. That way it gives that "I just threw all this together" illusion.

BEADY EYES
Big beads are still, well, big. Look for stores to carry more of the same, including the Hawaiian kukui nut chains that you're being monstrously overcharged for (a Hawaiian friend assures me they retail at just $2 on the islands, so make sure your vacationing best buddy brings back a suitcase full!).

Layering is also still big in the fall -- it's not just for shirts and sweaters anymore! Match a delicate chain or two or five with a thicker, chunkier strand and you'll start getting the idea. Be creative.
And I bite my nails as I write this: charms are back too. This time, however, you might want to just buy all the pendants at once and: a) save yourself the embarrassment of a sparse necklace or bracelet; and b) save yourself the embarrassment of believing the trend will actually last long enough for you to amass a whole chain of charms.

DENIM IS A "DO"
In case you haven't noticed, blue jeans are dominating the top of the charts and show no signs of fading out. Lately, there's been a profusion of designer jean companies, as well as an increase in the type of occasions and places one can wear said jeans to (unless, of course, you're trying to get into Zanzibar or one of "those" type spots where denim will never be acceptable -- petition, anyone?). Heck, there's even a whole store in the area devoted to denim: Denim Bar.

Fall's jeans are more of the same: blue and denim. But newer options include embroidered detailing, metallic accents and threading, even more holes—um, "weathering" than ever, higher waists for those opposed to plumber's butt (thank God!), and straight-leg and even tapered-leg cuts. Says Farinelli, "even the GAP is pushing" straight-leg jeans.

JUST FOR MEN
I know, you probably didn't make it to this point, fellas, but hopefully the subhead caught your eye and lured you in to the part you really need to read. Ready?

Men are more into fashion than ever. Blame it on that adorable Ashton Kutcher, or maybe on Carson Kressley. Or maybe on the shopping envy men have bottled up for so many years.

Since men's fashions change much less than women's, what you guys need to know about this fall's trends is fairly simple:

-Jeans are almost always a good way to go. If you need to dress them up, pair 'em with your best fresh dogs (shoes, kids) and a simple sweater or hip dress shirt.

-Belts are hot. And there are more styles than ever to choose from—huge belt buckles, studded, preppy fabric, plain leather...you name it. Belt buckles are hot. Check out Commander Salamander's collection of punkish accents.

-Neckties can be fun. And if you read any of the women's section, you'll know that '80s trends are still popular. Guess what? The same is true for guys' gear. Those thin, woven ties are back with a vengeance, as are supersized neckties. At a local appearance, Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" recently wore a seafoam green number with seahorses embroidered on it -- if that's not '80s prep, I don't know what is. Find a fun selection at Annie Creamcheese.

-Soften up. Farinelli says newer clothing styles for men emphasize a "soft hand," meaning they're all the better for the ladies to touch. Tees and denim alike are using pre-washed fabrics that are as nice to wear as they are to be "appreciated" by those of the female persuasion. If you wear it....

Farinelli says he's proud of what guys in the area have done with themselves; "Guys in general have really stepped up to the plate in D.C. at a rate that's much more drastic than their counterparts." So keep up the good work, fellas -- this dude knows what he's talking about, so when he gives you a compliment, you take it.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
So, my dear trendspotters, there you have it. We've given you some colors, cuts and collections to keep on the radar. And remember, the beauty of fashion is that it's often possible to assemble clothes already in your collection in a new way that follows the styles. Buy just a few new items that you can pair with existing pieces in your closet and you'll fool those not-so-savvy go-for-broke shoppers.
And if you're not ready to take the charge card out of its leather home yet, you can always do like All About Jane's owner; "My mom always wanted me to wait until school started to see what the other kids were wearing," says Atkinson, a tone of playful annoyance in her voice remaining after all these years. I never liked waiting either -- thanks, Mom.