It's time for back-to-school shopping fever! Before you hit the stores, study up with our cheat sheet. It's your guide to the hottest trends and how to wear them — leggings, the red-hot layered look, skinny jeans, mini skirts and more. It's all right here in the latest edition of The Trend Report!

FreePeople.com

Layer it on
Study up, because the trendiest look for fall involves lots of layering! To do it right, start with leggings, which you'll wear with everything. You can tuck them into scrunched up socks and wear them with pumps, or go sleek and wear boots. Add a skirt or shorts, and pair them with a tee shirt or blouse plus a sweater or cardigan. That's your base. You get extra credit for throwing a tunic or dress into the mix.

Trend tip: Go for lots of lightweight layers instead of heavy, bulky pieces, which will just make you look like you gained 10 pounds... and that's a definite fashion "don't".

HotTopic.com

Take a short cut   
The trendy length is short, short and even shorter in mini skirts and shorts! We love them in stuffy, low-key menswear plaids and in super-bright tartans that have a bit of a British twist. In shorts, the cuffed trouser short is a great style, and as for minis, just grab a denim mini and a version of the "mini kilt" and you'll be ahead of the curve.

Trend tip: Layer up those legs — both shorts and mini skirts look extra cool with leggings or tights (rather than bare legs.)

Sass & Bide at IntermixOnline.com

Get the skinny
Believe it or not, skinny jeans are getting even skinnier. The slimmest (8" to 10" around at the hem) can double as leggings for that long, lean look. This fall skinny jeans get lots of star treatment with great attention to detail. We love to see them with zippered or snap treatments — so chic! Also look for darker, "dressier" washes that are right in step with fall's luxe mood.

Trend tip: Red-hot brands to watch: Sass & Bide, JBrand, Nobody, Anlo, Made in Heaven, Three Girls Running, Acne... stay tuned for more!

As U Wish at Nordstrom.com

Frock it up
There are so many ways to wear a great dress! We love the return of the little mod shift dress, which you can make new and totally you with tights and a pair of great boots and sunglasses. Pretty, romantic peasant style dresses in solids or florals prints are must-haves for advanced layering techniques. And easy tunics worn with a wide belt are a great dress choice as well. So frock it up!

Trend tip: Don't pack away all your summer dresses just yet. Take a second look and see if any of them will work as fall-into-winter layers when worn over a long-sleeved tee or slim sweater.

Chloe at BergdorfGoodman.com

Knit to please
You'll love the new sweater dressing trend when cool fall days roll around! This season you'll find a glorious range of knit tops, sweaters, tunics, dresses and more, which are meant to layer with everything. Go for solids in chunky, textured (but lightweight) knits for a luxe look. Or go for a cool "preppy grunge" vibe with a knit piece in wide, two-colored, horizontal stripes.

Trend tip: Instead of a fall jacket, opt for a chic knit cape instead. It's super cute and super trendy... A+!

Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more about Gordon, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America and across the world.

firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to http://www.firstview.com/ for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.

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