12 Fashion Trends That Are Here to Stay

From the moment Levi Strauss invented the first pair of blue jeans back in 1853, boots and jeans have been a natural combination. Practical and comfortable, rugged yet stylish, boot cut jeans look great in the country or the city. And maybe best of all, the flattering line makes everyone's legs look just a little bit longer.

Name another item in your closet that goes with pants or skirts, and can take you from a morning meeting to last call at your favorite pub. Whether you go longer or shorter, tapered or boxy, the classic lines of a well-cut blazer are a definite must-have for any women's wardrobe.

From loose and comfy hand-knit fisherman's styles to sleek and form-fitting silk or cotton, turtlenecks stand alone or pair nicely with a jacket or another sweater. For warmth and flattering style, turtleneck sweaters are timeless.

When you think of a femme fatale in film -- from Lauren Bacall to Angelina Jolie -- chances are they've worn a classic pencil skirt. Slim, short and often black, the pencil skirt makes the most of feminine curves and is just plain sexy, especially when paired with high heels.

First worn by European sailors in the 18th Century and then adopted by the U.S. Navy, the pea coat's original style hasn't changed much through the years. Traditionally made of heavy wool or napped twill, usually in a deep navy blue, pea coats offer warmth and practicality in a timeless design.

The question is: where can't you wear skinny jeans? With a sheer top and your highest heels, skinny jeans can take you out on the town. Or tuck them into boots and you're set for Saturday shopping. Forget the myth that skinny jeans are just for skinny girls -- with a good fit and the right top or jacket, any woman can take advantage of this lean silhouette.

So popular it's almost become a cliché, the little black dress -- or some variation of it -- is a staple of many women's wardrobes. And why not? With a blazer and medium heels, it's perfect for the office. But whip off the jacket, add higher heels and a bit more bling, and you're ready for the evening. For sheer fashion mileage, you can't beat the little black dress.

Another fashion staple borrowed from our male friends, the denim jacket looks great on women, too. It was originally intended as durable work wear, but the freshest looks pair denim jackets with skirts, long or short. Like man-tailored shirts and baseball caps, women took denim jackets and added our own feminine fashion flair.

Forget perfume and pearls. If you want to feel glamorous and sexy, put on a pair of black pumps with stiletto heels. These fashion icons take some practice to wear -- remember when you tottered around in your mom's shoes? -- but they're very flattering to legs. And many women wouldn't feel dressed up without them.

When Mary Tyler Moore wore form-fitting cropped pants on the Dick Van Dyke Show in the early 1960's, she caused a fashion sensation. Back then they were called capris, after the Italian island of Capri. The style fell out of favor for a few decades but never went away, and now they've been rediscovered. Dressier than shorts, cropped pants are a great warm-weather fashion that's here to stay.