Watching all those gorgeous confections of fashion come down the runways at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week, a girl doesn’t want to wait until September to start stocking up on the trends, but why buy for fall when you have to dress yourself now? Lucky for us all, many fall 2011 looks can be worn throughout the spring and summer, and we’ve honed in on the looks it’s okay to invest in now, since you can wear them all year long. Take a look at the most wearable fall 2011 trends.

Top Fall Fashion Trends

Orange: The Must-Have Hue
Red and orange were all over the runways in September at spring 2011 fashion shows. For fall 2011, designers merged the two trends to form one of the season’s hottest colors: emberglow. It’s a bright reddish orange hue that looks fantastic at any time, on any skin tone and in any season.

Cotton-Modal Boatneck Tee, $24.50, Lands’ End

The Office Staple
Good news: one of fall’s hottest trends is something you probably already own– a pencil skirt! In their fall collections, designers paired pencil skirts in neutral tones with tops and accessories in bold hues (like emberglow), which is something you’re probably already doing. So keep up the good work, because when it comes to pencil skirts, you can’t have too much of a good thing.

Charter 1 Pencil Skirt, $59, Macy’s

The Menswear-inspired Trend
“Tux Lux” is the phrase used to describe the pants and jackets that made their way down the New York runways this February, but the look has been spotted on the streets this season, too. Retailers such as Express, Zara and BCBG are filling boutiques with menswear-inspired suits already, and since they’ll still be in for fall, it’s a good idea to invest in one now.

Paige Tuxedo Trim Wool Pants, $60, Nordstrom

The Trendiest Way to Show Some Skin
Good news if you like to stay covered up while you dress up: Fall’s sexiest new party outfit involves a long-sleeve top, a neckline of your choosing and a long skirt—with a sexy slit up the front so you can walk easily and flaunt your sexy legs. But why wait until fall? A maxi dress with an up-to-there slit can be worn as early as spring. Add a jacket for fall and you’ve got an outfit that lasts from season to season.

Embellished Slinky Maxi Dress, $99, Asos

The Perfect Print
If Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg put the same print out on the runway, then you know it’s a real trend, with a capital T, so why not start wearing it immediately? If the head-to-toe patterned look isn’t your thing, try a polka-dot blouse or scarf to put a playful—and trendy!—spin on your everyday outfit.

INC International Concepts Polka Dot Dress, $60, Macy’s

The Swoon-worthy Fabric
It’s no big news that lace is hella sexy. But this fall it becomes polished, too—which means you’ve got a stellar new answer to the classic work-then-out weekday outfit conundrum. Another great thing about lace? It’s breathable and perfect for the warmer months. Invest now in a chic white lace top and come September, you won’t have to worry about what to wear on a first date or big day at the office.

Lace Tee, $40, Victoria’s Secret

The Wardrobe Workhorse
Give your go-to black pants a well-deserved rest as there’s a pretty new office uniform, ready to roll. More designers than we could count turned out ’70s-inspired day dresses reminiscent of Nine to Five. But these flowy and bright fabrics are picture-perfect for spring and summer, so pluck them from the racks now to get maximum use out of these ladylike dresses.

Giani Bini “Dawn” Dress, $82.80, Dillard’s

The Attention-Getter
We saw this look on the runway and filed it away as an easy way to make winter’s dark layers look fresh and fun, but you can also show your enthusiasm for spring by wearing bright skinny pants throughout the year for a playful alternative to jeans or shorts.

Cycle Casual Pants, $59, YOOX