The 8 Greats by Suzy Buckley

With a sense of style and a sense of humor a woman can get through just about anything. Or it certainly seems that way watching funny, fabulous Molly Kagan (Debra Messing) navigate the shark-infested waters of Hollywood in The Starter Wife: a show about fresh starts, friends, flings, and of course, fashion. Fan of Molly Kagan's laid-back L.A. glamour? Shop Molly-inspired styles below:

"No need to get divorced and dive into a new career to nail down a starter wife’s fabulous style. Add these eight great staples to your closet and you’ll be as effortlessly chic as Molly and friends, from morning carpools to after-dark cocktails."
© usanetwork.com

Tonight Wife Begins Again as Debra Messing returns to USA Network as Molly Kagan in the new original series, The Starter Wife, recipient of 10 Emmy Award nominations and a win for Judy Davis. Let's see what stylist Suzy Buckley has in store for us:

1. Ruffles
You gotta love ruffles—perhaps the most inoffensive fashion detail ever created. Not only do they nod to my childhood (isn’t a baby pink dress with tiered ruffles every five-year-old’s answer to the LBD?), they add volume where I need it and beautifully camouflage the areas I’d like to forget. This season, fashion’s softly gathered and layered details range from subtle to in-your-face, and exist on arms, wrists, décolletages, shoes, pants, as well as body-covering, torso-to-the-floor tiers. When worn correctly, ruffles can add an element of dressy elegance to an otherwise casual piece and/or gracefully draw the eye exactly where the wearer desires.

Geren Ford Georgette Ruffle Top
We're flirty and fun in ruffled Geren Ford. Silk-georgette top with windowpane jacquard pattern throughout and layered ruffle trim at scoop neck and back. 3" slit at sides and seam detail at bust and back. Cap sleeves. Sheer. 26" long, measured from center back. 100% silk. Dry clean. Imported.


Joie Dominica 3/4 Sleeve Ruffle Blouse
We can easily build any look around our Joie top. Silk blouse with 10-button closure at front and ruffle trim at wide neck and placket. Smocked banding at bottom hem and cuffs. 3/4 raglan sleeves. 22" long, measured from center back. 100% silk. Dry clean. Imported.

2. Bow Necks
Although they may seem a bit school marm or 18th-century classical music composer, pretty shirts with neck bows and knots are saturating the fall runways. All Mozart comparisons aside, I think this fashionable detail adds unexpected formality drizzled with a touch of whimsy. Perhaps the look is a bit fancy for some, but—when paired with a pencil skirt and punky ankle boots or skinny jeans and cowboy boots—I find it to be worlds away from resembling nerdy secretary garb.


Moschino Cheap and Chic Sleeveless Bubble Top with Bow
Polka dots show off this ladylike silhouette's playful side. Polka-dot silk-chiffon top with tie and single-button closure at neck. Elastic banding at bottom hem. Sleeveless. Camisole lining. 23" long, measured from center back. Shell: 100% silk. Lining: 100% polyester. Dry clean. Made in Italy.


DKNY Print 3/4 Sleeve Blouse with Bow
An updated take on a retro-ladylike style, courtesy of DKNY. Print stretch-silk top with tie at neck and 4-button closure at bust. Single-button closure and ruching at cuffs. 3/4 sleeves. 25" long, measured from center back. 92% silk/8% elastane. Dry clean. Imported.

3. Oversized Necklaces
Bare necks often look naked this season, so when I’m not wrapping mine up in a bow or scarf, I throw on a large, sophisticated, statement-making necklace and start collecting compliments. I never forget that the bolder my necklace, the subtler my outfit must be to keep eyeballs on the glamorous pièce de résistance. Many of this season’s highly structured U- and V-shaped numbers are multi-strand, and range from extreme, almost breast-plate designs to layered chains stringing opaque stones such as jade, onyx, tiger’s eye and topaz. When a necklace is particularly out-of-this-world, I wear it sparingly so as not to bore friends and colleagues.


Lee Angel Jewelry Lyla Multi Strand Mesh & Crystal Necklace
FREE SHIPPING As perfect with a tank and dark denim as it is with an evening dress. 7-strand, tiered chain necklace with crystal rings and metal-mesh beads at 3 strands. Ring-and-toggle clasp. 21" long. Made in the U.S.A.


tuleste market Lucite Choker
FREE SHIPPING Art Deco influenced but with a decidedly contemporary sensibility. Multi-strand cord choker with two-tone lucite pendant. Hook-and-eye clasp. Adjustable length. 18" long.

4. The Long Dress
Lest there be any doubt that dress hems are tied to the economy, note this season’s ubiquitous long dress. Indeed, our skirt lengths (and, alas, our finances) are taking quite a nose dive. The good news? We can skip a few days of shaving, lay off the self tanner and choose from racks and racks of ankle- and floor-length stunners. While fall’s long frocks leave much to the imagination, they’re turning heads with inspiring prints, bold hues and dramatic fabrics. Whether cut with princess-like empire-waists or sleek, figure-hugging tailoring, this season’s silhouettes embody the feminine mystique better than ever.


Rachel Pally Long Eva Dress
FREE SHIPPING Ballroom elegance and bedroom allure, courtesy of Rachel Pally. V-neck jersey dress with ruching at bust and empire waist. Crescent insert at front. Unfinished edge at bottom hem and cuffs. Long sleeves. 58" long, measured from center back. 92% modal/8% spandex. Dry clean. Made in the U.S.A.


T-Bags Print Long Knot Front Dress
FREE SHIPPING Each and every day is a walk on the beach in T-Bags. Print jersey dress with knot detail at bust and ruching at back. Unfinished edge at bottom hem. Elastic banding at cuffs. Long sleeves. Lined. 56" long, measured from shoulder. 100% rayon. Dry clean. Made in the U.S.A.

5. Fringe
We urbanites aren’t always so keen on exploring our inner John Waynes or Annie Oakelys, but—like it or not—good ol’ Western-style, American cowboy-influenced fringe is all the rage this fall. And it’s not so bad. I love the idea of looking a bit rugged, carefree and outdoorsy once in a while, even though I wouldn’t know a cattle drive from a zip drive. Happily, this trend’s varying hues (Nervous about this trend? Stick to basic black) and rich textures nicely complement the personal styles of even the most urban of uptown girls and guys.


KORS Michael Kors Montreal Fringe Flat Boot
FREE SHIPPING We're hippie chic with a short skirt and oversized top. Suede boot with tiered fringe at 16" shaft. Suede tie at front and zipper closure at side. 1" covered wedge heel. Rubber sole. Imported. This item cannot be gift-boxed.


Love Quotes Hand Knotted Fringe Scarf
FREE SHIPPING The sky's our limit in an airy Love Quotes scarf. Woven scarf with fringe at ends. 3' wide by 6' long. 50% linen/50% viscose. Dry clean. Imported

6. Plaid
Plaid hasn’t been this prevalent since the days of Pearl Jam…but this season’s version is a much, much more modern take on the late ‘80s grunge variety. Forget flannel: This fall, the fashion world’s most recurring print strikes an ideal balance between preppy and sporty: Bold, tartan/madras patterns nod to one of my favorite trends while retaining an air of classic individuality. Now as accepted (and gorgeous!) on ballgowns and cocktail dresses as it is kilts and long shorts, it’s clear plaid is the new floral…and we all know Eddie Vedder and Kurt Cobain would never go there.


Beckerman Madeline Loose Pocket Plaid Tee
FREE SHIPPING This playful plaid is no doubt a must-have for any It girl. Plaid woven top with crew neck and double patch pockets at bust. Thick pintuck at yoke and 2" cuff at short sleeves. Semi-sheer. 26" long, measured from center back. 74% viscose/26% wool. Dry clean. Made in the U.S.A.


MK2K Sleevless Plaid Dress
FREE SHIPPING We're the picture of perky, plaid perfection in MK2K. Plaid woven dress with fold-over collar and banding at wide neck. Ruching at waist and inverted pleat at skirt. Hidden zipper at back. Sleeveless. 28" long, measured from center back. 87% cotton/10% polyester/3% acrylic. Dry clean. Imported

7. Oversized Knits
When I can’t curl up in a blanket and just stay home, a comfy oversized sweater is the next best thing. This trend is truly magnificent: I can hide myself on a “fat day” and still look like I’m at the height of fashion! This season’s extra-large cable knits and off-the-shoulder cashmere sweaters look almost sculptural. Thick, chunky pieces frame the face as well as they warm the body, and add a romantic, bundled-up flair to fall’s looser, mid-thigh-and knee-length skirts. Since attention is redirected to my legs, I like to dress them in pretty, textured tights or sexy stiletto-heeled ankle boots.


C&C California Helena Cardigan
FREE SHIPPING Dramatic meets laid-back in this standout piece from C&C. Cable-knit cardigan with shawl collar and ribbed banding at edges. Long sleeves. 41" long, measured from center back. 86% cotton/14% acrylic. Dry clean. Imported.


Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Giant Cozy Cardigan
FREE SHIPPING What we'd always hoped to find in dad's closet is finally ours, thanks to Twelfth Street. Oversized cardigan with shawl collar and 4-button closure at front. Patch pockets at hip. Ribbed banding at bottom hem and cuffs. Long sleeves. 28" long, measured from center back. 35% viscose/29% lambswool/20% nylon/8% cashmere/8% angora. Dry clean. Imported.

8. Military
It feels like military chic has been in-style for season after season after season, with no end in sight: Just like the war! Whether it’s an homage to our modern wartime or just a fabulous way to add a touch of boxy, well-tailored edge to any look, designers continue to borrow plenty of fall inspiration from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. I love the sharp, stiff collars, big shiny buttons, zippers and appliqués that infuse my day and nighttime ensembles with an air of rugged formality, and never fail to make passersby stand at attention.


Nili Lotan Double Breasted Trench
FREE SHIPPING We'll take ourselves seriously in nautical details. Double-breasted twill trench coat with notched collar. 4-button closure and 4-button detail at front. Belt at waist and storm flap at shoulders. 11" vent at back. Button-tab detail at cuffs. Long sleeves. Lined. 34" long, measured from center back. Self: 100% virgin wool. Lining: 100% rayon. Combo lining: 100% polyester. Dry clean. Made in the U.S.A


Alice + Olivia Military Trench with Self Tie
FREE SHIPPING Alice + Olivia understands the importance of a signature coat. Brushed-felt trench with 5-button closure at front and self-belt tie at waist. Contrast backing at tie. Button-flap pockets at bust and hip and button-tab epaulet at shoulders. 3-button closure at cuffs. Long sleeves. Lined. 32" long, measured from center back. Shell: 40% wool/30% viscose/30% polyester. Lining: 95% silk/5% spandex. Dry clean. Imported.