And you simply must have a pair in a vibrant color - mustard, ruby red, maybe even deep purple. (Because black is so, well ... you already own black boots anyway, right?)

As it turns out, booties look terrific with a variety of toppings, from wide-legged trousers and skinny jeans to mini-dresses and pencil skirts.

Interestingly, this particular trend is anything but new. In the early 1960s, designers were trotting out what they called a "cocktail boot" - an ancestor to the 21st century's bootie.

What else is hot this season? Here's our fall fashion shopping list. Go ahead - play favorites!

Going gray: Gray is the new black. OK, not really. But it is the most popular of the fall neutrals, from houndstooth to brocade.

Patents pending: Actually, don't wait for a patent. Shiny shoes, belts and handbags are ready for the wearing.

Oh, shirts! White shirts are white-hot and anything but basic. Look for details, such as tucking, ruffles, double cuffs and dotted Swiss fabric.

Clutch situation: Already have a big bag? Time to add an oversized clutch. Very chic, very modern, even though it's one trend that's very vintage.

In the trenches: Dig through the closet and resurrect that trench coat you bought apres college. It's back! Or look for a 2007 update.

So, there's the list. But shopping isn't shopping without snapping up some other stylish finds.

What else is hot out there? We checked with three stores in the Sacramento area to find out.

Karen Sanders, women's buyer for Polo Ralph Lauren in Pavilions, says she's seeing the clothing-investment dollar going toward leather.

"Designers are in love with leather this season, and most of it feels like butter," she says. "This one purchase can bring sexy back to your wardrobe."

Her personal pick: "A great jacket," she says.

Maybe paired with a fun fashion jean.

"Wide leg is the freshest look," Sanders adds. "However, skinny jeans pair perfectly with fall's oversized sweaters and capes."

It's a classic. (Women traditionally spend the most on tops, about $35 million last year, and bottoms, about $25 million, according to the NPD Group, which tracks consumer spending.)

Lucky for us, shopping advice at most stores is free.

Boutique owner Robin Lyle's downtown store boasts a clientele eager for direction when navigating seasonal updates.

"They're used to us editing the trends and styles for them when they come to shop," Lyle says. The things she says have attracted the most interest include:

Knits: From jackets to pants to skirts and coat sweaters, knits are stretchy, comfy and travel-friendly.

Colors: Richer shades of cranberry, cobalt and burnt orange go well with the fall neutrals (see "gray," above). Metallics are still making a statement in scarves and sweaters.

Meanwhile, because of the emphasis on legs (See "bootie," above), Sacramento's Serendipity Boutique adds textured tights and shift dresses to its list of must-haves.

Of course, on the national fashion scene, not much is different.

Just ask Finola Hughes, host of the Style Network's "How Do I Look?" (which launches its new season Monday). In fact, some of the styles will have some staying power, she says. Read: spring 2008.

"The thing that will carry through are accents of color," Hughes says in a recent phone interview from Los Angeles. "I love a dove gray dress worn with a yellow belt or purple shoes."

Her take on the bootie: to either trod a traditional path in black or brown, or "use the boot as your 'bright,' in red or kelly green patent leather."

As for outerwear, she likes the trench coat - timely but not trendy.