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There's nothing logical about women's ready-to-wear fashion. For example, styles set for fall 2011 were on the runway in February when designers were already knee-deep in the production of 2012 coats. At the exact same time, 2013 fall coat designs were already sprawled across sketchpads. Sound weird? Not so much. It takes time to figure out what fashionistas like you want to see in a coat design, so when you try to figure out what to wear with your black dress pants, you'll always have more than one answer.
Mellow Yellow
You've got flair and love making an entrance. Choosing a Michael Kors jacket in hot yellow is going to make your black dress pants proud. Kors channeled the hot and heavy 1960s when he put the dramatic, mid-thigh-length yellow tent coat on his runway for spring 2011. Adopt a 1960s vibe when you pair your black dress paints with a vividly colored coat. If you can manage a sexy, sparkly halter in black and yellow stripes beneath it, plenty of people will applaud the coat's removal.
Italian Stallion
Pucci style shows always amaze and when the venerable design house turned models loose during fall 2011 preview week, the theme was "sexy glamazons" with a touch of Tyrolean flavor. Sound freaky? Girl, get in touch with your inner stylist. Your black dress pants couldn't find a better playmate than Pucci's "luscious astrakhan" coat stitched of pieced longhair fur and crocodile patches. This outrageously stylish multi-textile coat won hearts and fashion editors' ink. Paired with your black dress pants, it's a match made in fashion heaven.
Ode to Organics
If your black dress pants happen to be made of an organic fabric like linen, wool or silk, follow Mother Nature's advice and pair them with an organic coat. The folks at Rodarte made organics a priority when putting together their 2011 collection, but the design that captured coat fans' hearts is a long, lean, waist-flattering, flared coat crafted of bouclé wool. The coat, produced in both dark and light hues, dramatically skims the floor. It's so trendy, your black dress pants would plead to be seen with this coat if they could talk.
It's a Guy Thing
Every year or so, designers must suffer girly-girl overdose after playing with too many laces and ruffles, so they start producing masculine jackets, military coats and loose wraps. Michael Kors didn't just send the vivid-yellow A-line coat down the runway for Spring 2011, he followed it up with a breathtaking military coat for fall. Wear this salute-worthy style over your black dress pants for an occasion that requires dignity and respect, and you'll be seen as a trendsetter.
Serious Stylin'
Even if you don't follow celebrity stylists, you probably know the name Rachel Zoe. She's become more than just a wardrobe general; she designs, too. Browse her fall 2011 look book and you're sure to stop at her earthy, traffic-stopping cape. The complexity of this lush brown cape hogs the limelight, and it's so affordable, you couldn't pick a better style partner than your black dress pants. After all, they do more to keep your wardrobe budget in line than any coat on the market.
