Unlike other chains like Brooklyn Industries, Urban Outfitters or Gap, if an item sells well at American Apparel, chances are it will continue to appear on the shelves for years.

Debuting two summers ago, the overwhelmingly popular Cotton Spandex Jersey Bandeau Dress has created a sea of multicolored extras from Feist's "1,2,3,4" music video. Still featured as the first dress listed on the website, it can be seen on at least three girls at any one time in any neighborhood, from the the East Village to the Upper East Side. Sold for $36 and in 19 different shades, the dress can be worn in at least 15 different ways (even as a shirt and a skirt). The dilemna: Does one buy the $36 wonder dress, or back off because everyone and their mom, younger sister and cousin in England own it.

If you do decide to go through with the purchase, here are some tips for wearing it:

1. Strapless- Top-heavy girls, be careful with this one. Unless you like to attract attention, avoid publicly exposing yourself by wearing a V-neck short sleeve shirt underneath the dress. You get the style without the embarrassment.

2. The Skirt- If you like the skirt look (which can be suitable for a casual work environment), buy the dress a size larger than you normally would. You'll regret eating lunch otherwise.

3. The Shirt- To be honest, even in a large those curvier than a size 6 may have trouble wearing this style. But no one's missing much … the fabric bunches up underneath the arms in a less than comfortable way. Sometimes a dress should stay a dress.

-- Jacqueline Wasilczyk

Spring = nice weather, nice weather = spending time outside. Thus, if my mathematical computations are correct, you will need new sunglasses. Sunglasses that give a big, plastic jolt of bold color is the new trend everybody is talking about, perfect to complement your Yves Klein jeans.

The coolest designs we've seen so far are from Karen Walker (above, available at Den) and Henrik Vibskov (available at Oak). Not to say your Ray-Bans are out of style; they're not. I'm just suggesting you add a little color to your collection.   

It's spring! Well, almost, as I don't consider 42 degrees as spring weather. Regardless, it's time to stock up on the new season's trends.

First up, ombre, a dip-dyeing method that creates fun color-bleeding effects. The look is showing up on pieces by designers Diane von Furstenberg, Badgley Mischka and ADAM (pictured above).

Floral print dresses will also be spilling onto the sidewalks soon. If the runway versions by Balenciaga and Dries Van Noten are too pricey, try out Zara. The Spanish retail chain has embraced floral prints this season, which will look great with another big trend for spring, oversized blazers. The sharp, masculine cut of the blazers provide an interesting contrast to feminine floral prints.

For more of the season's trends, check out our "Spring's Top 5 Trends" feature.      

Once again this Fashion Week, girly and fanciful were replaced by dark and sexy. Jill Stuart's vintage couture aesthetic took on a decidedly French noir feel this season, full of satiny looks and long slimming silhouettes. The show was held at the grand New York Public Library, but you can find her clothing at her less austere Soho boutique.

When you think about booties it may conjure up the little knitted numbers Aunt Suzy made for you before you could spit out the words "fashion faux pas" or maybe those old house slippers gathering dustballs underneath your bed. Withhold the "fashion don't" for just a sec, because I'm talking about the booties with the dreamy heel and leather detailing minus the Minnetonka fringe (no offense to our hippie contingent) and Ugg label. You've probably heard them called ankle boots, but isn't bootie a better word? Check out my favorite booties for the season and be sure to pick up those cutesy lace Shirley Temple ankle socks to go with them. (BCB Girls $133.95, Frye Boots $251.95, Miss Sixty $253.95 and Lumiani $219.95)

(Photos Courtesy Zappos Shoes)

1. Two words: Nintendo and fashion! See the debut of the collection designed by Torrel this Thursday at Nintendo World (video, above).

2. Who wouldn't want to attend a Sexy Clothing Swap? Exchange your old latex dominatrix suit for a French maid number this Sunday at Madame X.

3. Don't miss your chance to parlez with the genius behind Hermès at the French Institute tonight.

4. Want some good excuses to avoid holiday gift buying this year or a view into the world of American consumerism? Check out the free screening of Reverend Billy's new documentary "What Would Jesus Buy."

5. Catch up on the latest eco-fashion trends at a panel discussion at F.I.T. on Wednesday.

(Video Courtesy of Nintendo)

Name: Michelle
Lives: Hazlet, New Jersey
Occupation: Librarian

Chunky knits are a hot item this season. Where did you get your sweater? I got the sweater from Charlotte Russe.

Where else do you usually shop? I got these pants from a thrift store and the turtleneck from Old Navy, but I also like shopping at Hot Topic and H&M.

Do you have any favorite hang out spots? Not many lately, but I do like concert venues and music stores like the Vintage Vinyl Record Store.

Don't mind me as I wax poetic about 80s rap and fashion, but I gotta tell ya, Run-D.M.C., Slick Rick, gold chains and Adidas zip-up jackets will forever hold a soft spot in my heart. As with every generation, fashion will always reinterpret old trends and the gold chain has been a hot number on everyone's fashion must-have list this year. While Rev Run, D.M.C. and Jam Master Jay sported a single heavy chain usually decorated with some kind of luxury car medallion (photo, above), the ladies of today are gushing for the layers of multiple smaller chains (photos, below) easily worn with any ensemble. Check out Dirty Librarian Chains and Crunchy Jewels (great names, btw) who are some of my favorite gold chain designers.

(Photos Courtesy of Urbnet, Dirtylibrarianchains and Crunchyjewels)

Lately, I've been obsessing over capes, wraps and, dare I say it, ponchos--basically anything that makes you look like a superhero, in the above case, a romantic, vintage heroine with cupid-like abilities. There's also been recent buzz surrounding the superhero--just take a peak at the NBC hit series HEROES, and Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, the theme for the anticipated Costume Party of the Year and fashion exhibition in May. Having Halloween in the air has also encouraged me to consider the classic cape in a Little Red Riding Hood ensemble or a medieval sorceress costume (two severely under-played costumes!).

But whether or not you buy into all this hype, the cape does function as a warm shield from the chilly weather. This Ashely capelet from Delias (above, left) may be an interesting addition to the trendsetter's wardrobe. For the hipster wardrobe, Urban Outfitters is selling this Lux cape (above, right) at their stores and online. Demure ladies looking to easily blend the cape into their winter wardrobes should go with this cape from Marc by Marc Jacobs (above, bottom) through eLuxury.

(Photos Courtesy of Delias, Urban Outfitters and eLuxury.

Fall is here … kind of! As I write this it is 81 degrees outside. But that doesn't mean you can't start dressing yourself in autumn's finest. As a toast to the season, I've compiled nine hot items from local boutiques that will help you look so NOW ... and by now, I mean circa 1976. Hey, you need something to look good with that new pair of high-waisted jeans. So check out the hip hats, vintage boots, soft leather handbags and Prada's new knee-high socks, all in our Must-Have Fall Accessories guide.

Ramone Demi Bag from Hayden-Harnett.

Dunway women's fedora from Still Life.