Fall has finally arrived, and we are so ready to get into all that was displayed on the runway.

I know that I am always talking about following your own sense of style. I am a designer and I know that my designs will not appeal to everyone. No matter how hard I try, I can not hit every little nook and fashion fetish that may exist out there. Even if it is nothing but pure ignorance of that underground Ukapatamian grunge club look.

But I know that no matter who you are, there are a few things that have to have to complete the look that you are hunting and this year in the ready to wear arena you will be able to find it.

No matter what the fashion guru’s say, the fashion compass is all over the place when it comes to style types. There are sweet designs for girly girls and sleek 80’s punk designs for the more adventurous and some of everything else in between. As we make the transition from the hip hop bling dominated style era to the rock n roll influence, there is a wide range of style choices that bridge the gap.

The colors that are looming are purple haze shades, black and bold popping colors in the mid range in hue. Don’t mistake bold for bright because you will miss the mark in that something is just not quite right about her look today kind of way. No one will be able to put their finger on it, but it will be a distraction from your look.

Due to the economics in the US, cheap chic has now hit the road and the more substantial buys are becoming more prominent. Even Walmart is upgrading because of it. So as the “it bag” becomes more and more of an obvious accessory (it is getting bigger and bigger and more expensive) take the time to select wisely. Yes Juicy Couture is hot right now and some of their designs are cute as all get out but will the hundreds that you spend for one of them be worth anything to you next year. So get an “it bag” that is appealing to you in more than a fad sort of way. Price is one thing; cost and value are completely different creatures.

Speaking of economics and cost versus value versus price, one of the most appealing thins to have is a good credit rating and an unadulterated identity. Make sure that you are protecting these assets while you are shopping online and in person and don’t let what happened to me happen to you.

Stolen identity is something that is terrible and the ramifications are so devastating that it makes it almost impossible to have normal transactions that we generally take for granted (i.e., buying groceries). Other than the things that they tell you on the site and write ups about protecting your identity let me give you some real word advice.

First, get to know the people in your bank. They are a symbiotic part of your financial health. They can be a first defense if someone comes into the bank posing as you. If they know you and recognize you than they can have the person arrested right there as they try to pose as you. Then there is some thief off the street and their attempt to get you is over. Drive through is convenient but not the best.

The thing is that most times the thieves do not even know who you are nor do they care. They just think of you like an old junker car that they are going to ride into the ground until they can find another to dismiss you for. Then leave you high and dry to pay for their recklessness and trying to pull all your pieces back together.

Don’t sign the back of credit cards. Write ask for ID on the signature line. Forgery can look just as real as the real thing. Don’t give them a heads up on what it should look like.

For goodness sake, don’t have “friends” and friends of friends over for a party and not extra secure your extra checks and other important things. Don’t leave your purse or wallet in your room unsecured, put it in a cabinet or drawer in the main room of the party. People will not steal in the presence of others. It is definitely a behind the scenes type of deal.

Even though you may feel that no one would steal your identity because in your opinion you don’t have enough for them to take anything from you. You are so wrong! They find shady people in organizations to allow them to use your information to get you into new debt and get involved in some very shady deals that you would never even consider doing for yourself.

So in your quest to be fashionable and styled to the nines make sure that you are truly being an aware consumer and protecting what you have taken for granted more than anything else in your life. The fact that you are you and no one else could be that.

In this case, imitation is not in any sense of the word flattery! Shop well and stay financially happy!

Fashion designer Elle Bowman keeps Blast Magazine readers looking fabulous with her style columns. She is the owner and head designer of NOESLLA.