Back to school was never a dreaded time of year for me. Having a structured timetable, conquering new equations and essays and of course, having a new wardrobe to prance around in didn't hurt either. Year after year, come June, I would smirk at my former excitable self and was certain I would never be ready for summer to end. Predictably, and somewhat reluctantly, by mid- August I was ready for crunchy leaves and long sleeves. Since graduation, the thrill of new classes and old friends has since become a fond memory, but the anticipation of the fall season remains. This eagerness for autumn is also a major presence in the fashion world as the pre-fall and autumn/winter collections always receive the most hype and often spark a new direction in fashion that can be seen echoed in spring/ summer collections. September is Vogue's biggest and most fussed-over issue, and whatever Ms. Wintour places importance on is clearly something of which to take note.

Perhaps because summer is by far the most casual season for dress, with hot weather staples like flip-flops, raggedy cut-offs and cotton tanks, the new fall season brings a refreshing breath of muchneeded sophistication. For the fall 2010 season, designers have taken this notion up a notch and classic, clean and ladylike collections ruled the runway. Take Louis Vuitton's prim and trim, ready-to-wear collection for example: strikingly beautiful, healthier-looking models bounced down the runway with clean makeup, high, full ponytails, circle skirts and ultra-femme gloves that evoked an air of elegance recently lost in seasons of shredded tees and combat boots. Reintroducing the classic Speedy bag, first presented in the 1930s, summed up the collection's nostalgic yet timeless pieces.

Christian Dior, always one to consider a woman's body and the silhouette to best compliment it, created an ultra-feminine collection for the season filled with gorgeous, flowy dresses and ruffles galore. Dior's love of glamour was also evident this season with fur and leather details as a trim on collars, sleeves and hems.

Overall, the silhouette this season has shifted as well. Gone are the body-con bandage dresses and hot pants. In replacement, longer skirts, traditional button ups and minimalist cuts encourage a (skinbaring) less-is-more attitude. As the shape pendulum swings one way, the textile pendulum swings another; luxe fabrics like leather, fur and lace had starring roles in many collections. Unlike seasons past, fall 2010 brought these fabrics into everyday pieces, such as a leather t-shirt at Celine and a ladylike lacy knee-length skirt at Dries Van Noten.

Yet another nod to the return of classic style is the comeback of the suit. Beautifully tailored in wool, flannel, brocade or silk, suits with pants or a skirt were fall staples for fashion heavy hitters like Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors and Balmain.

Runway to real way? Kick off your Havianas and slip into a pair of driving loafers, or for the truly trendy (and dedicated), a pair of chunky-heeled, bow detailed pumps (goodbye, stripper-like stilettos.) Cover up with a luxurious cardigan, a fur vest, or a classic trench. Ditch the destroyed jeans and opt for some slim slacks. Skip the turquoise eyeliner and swish on a '60s style cat-eye with a thin line of black liquid liner. Looking like a lady has never been so charming.