Origami Couture Skirt ($26.00)

Rating: Trendy for now… and spring… and maybe next fall but certainly not a classic

Fit: If you’re worried about adding more volume to your bottom half then don’t even bother with this one. But if you have some wiggle room, then this is definitely a more interesting option than the usual full skirts we see at Forever. The thick waistband helps with proportion and the folds are so fun that you’ll just want to twirl like I did in the dressing room.

Versatility: You need something fitted on top. But this can range from a simple tee to a cashmere turtleneck. I haven’t seen the blue version in person but I’d still recommend gray or black. You have enough going on with the architectural folds that you don’t need a bold color.

Trend Factor: Draping is popular for fall, and this is actually a pretty unique take on the trend.

Demographic: Everyone

Open Front Tweed Jacket ($24.80)

Rating: Wear It Forever

Fit: Sydne and I finally made it to a store with the Love 21 Contemporary line and while I was excited to try on some clothes that were not made for 15-year-olds or club skanks (or 15-year-old club skanks? I’m pretty sure those exist in some places), I am a little sad to say a lot of pieces in this more conservative line kinda overdid it on the frump. But we’ll get to those later–this post is about something that I liked and did not frumpy at all. No, this little tweed jacket was cute and sophisticated with its clean lines and 3/4 sleeves. Sure anything with a 3/4 quarter sleeve automatically wins my approval but this jacket totally earned it..

Versatility: This is definitely something you can wear with a nice pair of jeans and flats (my favorite look) or throw on over a LBD for dinner.

Trend Factor: Tweed is one of the reasons I love fall so much.

Demographic: Everyone

Scalloped Fringe Dress ($24.80)

Rating: Trendy for Now

Fit: It’s a shapeless shift, but it works. The hem is short enough to show off your legs and it’s not like those flappers in the ‘20s had defined waists anyway.

Versatility: You can wear a fringe dress more than you’d think. The most obvious is at night with a pair of heels. But I’ve seen girls wear similar styles with flats during the day and under a blazer at a casual dinner. I’d even wear it to the office with black tights, booties and a cardigan.

Trend Factor: Fringe has been all the rage for a while now. And it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. I seriously was drooling over this Monique Lhullier dress when I was at fashion week. What I like about Forever’s dress is it doesn’t look like a costume, thanks to the gray chiffon on top.

Demographic: Everyone

Side Sequin Trim Top ($24.80)

Rating: Wear it forever (or at least till the beads fall off)

Fit: Amidst sequin overload, I discovered this beaded top that looked like it could easily have come from J. Crew, where embellished tees can cost you over $100. Unlike some of the tops I’ve tried at Michelle Obama’s favorite store, Forever 21’s polished beads were light enough that they didn’t weigh down the extremely soft shirt. I’m not promising the beads will stay on, but while they do, they look expensive.

Versatility: Since the shirt is so thin, I wouldn’t recommend wearing it tucked out over a pair of jeans. Luckily, it’s leggings season.

Trend Factor: Both gray and nude are in for fall—as are embellishments. But since the beadwork isn’t so in your face as other sequined tops, this one is more of a classic. Just something a little fancier than your average t-shirt.

Demographic: Everyone

Bellhop Knit Blazer ($22.80)

Rating: Trendy For Now

Fit: I had no idea this was called a Bellhop Blazer. That kind of makes me irrationally hate it which is unfortunate considering how cute it is. It’s trendy, it’s cheap and it nips right at waist to make it superflattering. Given the difficult time I have finding stuff that fits at the waist where it should, this was quite the coup.

Versatility: I haven’t quite figured out the most perfect way to rock the military look. I imagine you could throw this on with a white shirt, a pair of jeans and some boots but that just seems too easy. Soooo if you know anything a little more creative, let me know.

Trend Factor: Everyone hearts military this season. Just ask Victoria Beckham and Beyoncé (if only it were that easy to ask them…).

Demographic: Everyone. Just be aware that this is knit so it will look a little cheaper than whatever those fancy famous people are wearing.

Military Tipped Sweater ($32.00)

Rating: Trendy For Now

Fit: These military inspired cardigans were looking so supercute on the mannequins in the Twelve by Twelve section they were almost sold out. Just one large in gray was left. I was like, “Of course I’ll try a large on” because I thought it was a no-brainer I would love it. I love cardigans, I’m kind of into this military trend happening right now and I love things decked out in gaudy grandma embellishments like the pearl buttons. Turns out there were actually too many pearl buttons that this just wasn’t working for me. But, considering it was all sold out, it must work for someone.

Versatility: Definitely looks better all buttoned up, so pair with jeans or a skirt.

Trendy Factory: The name says it all: Military.

Demographic: Everyone

Ankle Tab Jumpsuit ($27.80)

Rating: Buy It Maybe

Fit: I’m a jumpsuit girl. So as long as it doesn’t have a tapered leg, I’m trying it on. This particular one was incredibly unflattering. But it was quite possibly the most comfortable thing I’ve ever slipped into in a Forever 21 dressing room.

Versatility: If you have $30 to spare on loungewear, buy it! Just don’t wear it out of the house otherwise you might ruin your chances with your neighbor hottie.

Trend Factor: Jumpsuits have been and still are in. Even unflattering jumpsuits are in (sorry designers, I’m just not a fan of those harem onesies).

Demographic: Everyone

Simple Knit Skirt ($7.80)

Rating: Wear it Forever

Fit: With control-top tights or a pair of Spanx underneath, this skirt fits like a flattering glove. If you have thinner legs, you might want to try the shorter version (I couldn’t find it online but I bought it at my local store). If your body is pretty proportional, go with the longer skirt. Black is obvs most flattering but I made my friend buy the navy, too.

Versatility: The spandex lets you wear it a normal high-waist skirt with a blouse or simple tee. But you can also pull the longer version up right below your chest to create a similar look as the sexy leopard combo dress. Since it’s knit, it’s ideal for travel since. Just roll it up in your suitcase and there’s no need to request an iron when you’re at your hotel.

Trend Factor: All you sexy secretary look haters get over it. A fitted pencil skirt is a classic that’s not going anywhere—especially when Mad Men is one of the most stylish shows on TV.

Demographic: Everyone (though I suggest teens go with the shorter length version)

Zip Front Leopard Skirt ($29.00)

Rating: Trendy For Now

Fit: I surprisingly loved this skirt. It doesn’t seem too much like my sort of thing, but I kinda wanted to buy it after trying it on–the colors and leopard print (something I usually HATE) are just so captivating. The only weird thing about it is F21’s insistence that this is a zip front skirt. I much prefer it with the zipper in the back. See, this me wearing it as designed and then wearing it backwards. It’s just so much classier that way.

Versatility: I feel like I say “anywhere!” a lot, but seriously, you can wear this anywhere. A sassy heel at night, a flat during the day, it’s so easy.

Trend Factor: It has the whole animal print thing going on that’s big right now. I’ve never been a huge animal print fan, but I love the way the cool watercolors balance out the fierce leopard print.

Demographic: Everyone

Abstract Print Satin Top ($17.80)

Rating: Buy It Never

Fit: I love, love, love this print. It’s a pity then that the bosom of this top has to have that awful foam padding that is a instant ghettoizer. One day, when Forever 21 contacts us and yells at us for copyright infringement or whatever, I’m just going to ask them one question. What the eff is with all the foam?! They’ll probably just tell me to shut up and stop using their logo but at least I tried.

Versatility: The reason I’m so angry at the foam is this top could have been great with jeans and worked everywhere.

Trend: It’s all about that crazy print.

Demographic: Everyone