Perfect for fall weather in New Orleans is a patchwork cardigan in camel wool and mohair with pony-hair insets, $2,200; and matching virgin wool and mohair cap-sleeve mock turtleneck sweater, $480, both by Escada, from Saks Fifth Avenue (301 Canal St., Canal Place, 524-2200).

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Sporty and elegant at the same time are leather "football" shoulder handbags in shades of wine or black and beige with white topstitching, top zipper closures, a rubber "sole" and circle embellishments on the front by Alaluna, $195 each, from Saks Fifth Avenue (301 Canal St., Canal Place, 524-2200).

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Line up your wardrobe options with an array of boots (left to right): Claret-colored leather side-zip calf boots with white topstitching, a tapered square toe and leather-covered contoured wedge heels by Kenneth Cole, $225; and smooth brown leather tapered square-toe calf boot with cutouts and leather twist accents, a medium heel and side zipper by Via Spiga, $315, both from Ballin's Ltd. (721 Dante St., 866-4367). Oxblood leather accents cast an interesting contrast against light red distressed suede in a tapered-toe high heel boot with a western cut at the top and a zipper in the back by Peter Kent, $120.99; and chocolate brown corduroy knee-high "granny" boots with an ornamental front lace and an easy side zipper and a contoured wooden wedge high heel and a sharp toe by Sky, $156.99, both from United Apparel Liquidators Inc. (3780 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-7030). Distressed camel suede knee boots with a frayed design on the side with a side zipper, spike high heel and sharply tapered toe by Charles David, $335; deep rouge crocodile calf boots with sharp toe and a side zipper by Donald J. Pliner, $320; and chocolate smooth leather contoured knee boots with a side zipper, pointed toe and low spike heel by Charles David, $310; all three from Mira Bella (115 Metairie Road, Suite C, Metairie, 828-3888).

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Rust-to-beige stripes are unforgettable in a moleskin pantsuit with a double-breasted jacket with inset bell sleeves and a wide collar by Diane von Furstenberg, $390; and matching pants with a side zipper, $195, from Total Woman (3964 Magazine St., 891-3964; 736 E. Boston St., Covington, 892-9460).

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Elaborately carved wooden wedge mule with an artisitic ball in the heel and black suede open-toe uppers by Nativewear Designs, $42, from 360 Trading (3143 Ponce de Leon St., 944-9360).

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Handmade purse featuring dark silk with peacock feather design on the bottom, bordered by gold silk and blue beading with wire handles embellished with semi-precious stones by DAS, $98, from La Doux (207 W. Harrison Ave., 482-1535).

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Shake out an impressive image with tooled suede teamed with rust knit in a spaghetti-strap tank with long suede fringe by Bette Paige, $75.99; over medium-wash blue jeans with suede laces on the side leg seams and around the pockets by Crystal, $79.99; both from Prima Donna's Closet (4409 Chestnut St., Metairie, 885-3327; 1218 St. Charles Ave., 525-3327; Plus Sizes, 1206 St. Charles Ave., 522-3327).

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Bringing all eyes to your waist is a cinch with intriguing designs such as (left) a distressed chocolate leather belt with a turquoise mosaic buckle, $170, and brown leather belt with decorative top stitching and a stone cross-section buckle with a gold and faux-pearl embellishment, $128; both from Mira Bella (115 Metairie Road, Suite C, Metairie, 828-3888).

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No woman can go out without the perfect vessel to hold her stuff and these options offer high fashion as well as a carrying case: (top) Dark chocolate suede zipper top "hobo" shoulder bag with silver buckle on one side and long fringe on the other by Donald J. Pliner, $240, from Mira Bella (115 Metairie Road, Suite C, Metairie, 828-3888); a sweet chocolate-brown leather handbag with a closed cut-out accent on the front, a snap closure and a rawhide and painted ceramic tube beads decorating the front by Christopher Kon, $160; or a calf-skin and Italian leather blended in a rectangular shoulder bag with a front zipper pocket and chocolate wrapped-edge strap by Francesco Biasia, $204; both from Il Negozio (3607 Magazine St., 269-0130).

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A lined, rust cotton scoop-neck top has an elegant gold-and-black circle design on the front and ribbon trim on the tapered, cuffless sleeves by Blue Sky Design Co., $42, from 360 Trading (3143 Ponce de Leon St., 944-9360).

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Wild, wonderful and ready to go, whether you're dressing for a casual occasion or something more classy is a denim jacket trimmed in wolf fur, $195, from Ballin's Ltd. (721 Dante St., 866-4367).

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Elastane and spandex give this beige zip-front cardigan with ribbed sleeves and collar and shirring on the front, $130, from Ballin's Ltd. (721 Dante St., 866-4367).

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Silk chiffon in a purple and gray floral pattern looks lovely when gathered in wide bands at the waist and embroidered at the neck and cuffs of this sheer blouse by William B, $298. It goes nicely with a subtly textured swirl pattern in the purple-gray low rise slacks, also by William B, $238, both from Il Negozio (3607 Magazine St., 269-0130).

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Basic black never looked so good as it does with a soft wool and cashmere cowl turtleneck pullover with short dolman sleeves by Rick Owens, $230; over a sheer, textured silk overskirt that dances over a taffeta self-slip with an uneven hem by Gunex, $478; both from Weinstein's (4011 Magazine St., 895-6278).

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Perfect for a frisky fall day is a sweater coat lined with fur around the collar and front opening by Bentley Arbuckle, $160, from Pret-A-Porter (4866 Magazine St., 899-5905).

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Birds never looked so good as you will in this cashmere sweater (it's so soft on your skin that you'll want to live in it) embellished around the collar with long feather plumes by Angelica-Val, $165, from Ballin's Ltd. (721 Dante St., 866-4367).

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Never limit yourself to just one pair, go for a half dozen or so (left to right): Tortoise croc patent leather square-toe ankle boot with a strap and gold buckle on one side and a rectangular high heel by Wild Rose, $99, from Valentine Shoe Gallery (6601 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 780-0023). Black leather low-calf, all-weather, flat-soled boot with sleek silver flap buckle and a side zipper by Phyllis Poland, $248, from Ballin's Ltd. (721 Dante St., 866-4367). Extra-fancy western-style calf-high "Daisy Duke" boots in red and black leather with riveted insets and turquoise trim (also available in other color combinations) by Frye, $288, from Il Negozio (3607 Magazine St., 269-0130). Blue denim western style, square-toe boot with medium heel by Vacation, $89, from Valentine Shoe Gallery (6601 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 780-0023). Dark-chocolate brown leather knee-high boots (also available in black) with a triangle-shaped heel, middle seam and sharp toe by Espace, $385, from Total Woman (3964 Magazine St., 891-3964; 736 E. Boston St., Covington, 892-9460). A diagonal gold zipper on a smooth leather high ankle boot with a pointed toe and spike heel by Michel Perry, $138. 99, from United Apparel Liquidators Inc. (3780 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-7030).

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Geometry never looked so good as in this optic double-knit sweater dress with a black ribbed inset drop waist and turtle neck, $190, from Nicole Miller (200 Metairie Road, Metairie, 828-1925).

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Make the fashion hounds howl with delight in a black silk ribbed sweater with fox-fur cuffs, $210; matched with a tweed fitted skirt with horizontal zippers along the left front, $245; both from Nicole Miller (200 Metairie Road, Metairie, 828-1925).

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You'll ride the range of high fashion with a sleeveless, wide-ribbed, exaggerated turtleneck sweater, $XXX; coupled with a cow-skin skirt with a ribbed knit around the bottom, both by Dolce & Gabbana, from Saks Fifth Avenue (301 Canal St., Canal Place, 524-2200).

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Get fashionably rolling with woven rattan ribbons on an open-toe mule with an intriguing wheel cylinder heel by Ananias, $54; both from 360 Trading (3143 Ponce de Leon St., 944-9360).

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Vintage fabric in a light brown fitted jacket is styled into a cross-over lapel and collar and a angled front as well as pockets, $1,175, worn over low-rise suit-cut slacks with a rich texture, $450, both by Rick Owens; all from Weinstein's (4011 Magazine St., 895-6278).

Photo by Romney Photography

THE ARTISTS:

Hair styling: Craig Orr and Salvador Marciante for Salvador Joseph's Salon

Makeup: Glenn Moseley

Models: Hope Breland for Romney Photography and Joy Suzanne Grazer

Photography: Romney Photography

FASHION RESOURCES:

Ballin's Ltd. 721 Dante St., 866-4367

Glenn Moseley (makeup artist) By appointment, 400-0018

Il Negozio 3607 Magazine St., 269-0130

Joy Suzanne Grazer (model) By appointment, 739-4195; http://pages.ivillage.com/joygrazer

La Doux 207 W. Harrison Ave., 482-1535

Mira Bella 115 Metairie Road, Suite C, Metairie, 828-3888

Nicole Miller 200 Metairie Road, Metairie, 828-1925

Paris Parker Salon Spa 4900 Prytania St.; The Saulet, 1400 Annunciation St., Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie; 4900 Hwy. 22, Mandeville; (888) 990-2468; www.parisparker.com

Pret-A-Porter 4866 Magazine St., 899-5905

Prima Donna's Closet 4409 Chastant St., Metairie, 885-3327; 1218 St. Charles Ave., 525-3327; Plus Sizes, 1206 St. Charles Ave., 522-3327

Romney Photography By appointment, 366-1808

Saks Fifth Avenue 301 Canal St., Canal Place, 524-2200

Salvador Joseph's Salon 5918 Magazine St., 895-5505

360 Trading 3143 Ponce de Leon St., 944-9360

Total Woman 3964 Magazine St., 891-3964; 736 E. Boston St., Covington, 892-9460

United Apparel Liquidators Inc. 3780 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-7030

Valentine Shoe Gallery 6601 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 780-0023