The 80's revival, via the equestrian look which dominated the New York runways made it. Miguel Adrover's Arab-inspired equestrian theme, Ralph Lauren's modernized wrap-around saddlebag belt and high riding boots and Michael Kor's posh country equestrian chic are now available for the taking.

"It's really all about the details," says Jaqui Lividini, senior vice president of fashion merchandising and communications for Saks Fifth Avenue, which has made Haberdashery/Equestrian one of the four theme categories in their fall/winter 2001 collection (the others are Urbanite, Modern Vintage, and Go For Broke).

Accents like bits, saddle closures, and a preponderance of menswear patterns like herringbone and tweed give pieces from even the most modern designer a fox hunt feeling.

Crisp white shirts, perfectly tailored jackets and plentiful turtlenecks made a great case for the power of this clean, graceful look - the epitome of which was Lauren's white-on-white jacket and jodhpur combination. Very upwardly mobile.

At Third Avenue and Lexington, Bloomingdale's fall fashion for 2001 is defined by duality: hard vs. soft, masculine vs. feminine, strong vs. chic. The objective for every woman this season is to create a wardrobe perfectly balanced with these elements and what Bloomingdale's like's to call Strong Chic.

Kal Ruttenstein, Senior Vice President for Fashion Direction says: "We believe Fall 2001 will combine power and elegance, creating a new kind of refined style. The elements are all there. On the 'strong' side, the menswear, uniform and equestrian trends salute the woman who is in control of her own destiny. On the 'soft' side a profusion of chiffon, lace, embroidery and fur will speak to the same woman's love of fantasy and romance. From New York to Milan the runways were filled with dualities. Heart and mind. Masculine and feminine. Reserved and rebellious. The real trick is in creating the right balance, the perfect synthesis of strength and chic."

The designers expressed this duality throughout their collections, which can be easily added to any woman's wardrobe. The must have items of this fall season can create the strong chic look in any wardrobe and Bloomingdale's advises on the following for your fall fashion statement.

Strong coats in varying styles were in many runway shows. Pea coats, officer jackets, and vests represent the sense of strength defined by this fall. Strong details like belts, zipper, and buckles and colors like dark blue and olive green help enhance the strong chic theme.

Fur helped bring the strong coats to life, yet it also stood on its own. A luxe fur item such as a vest or a scarf is essential to your strong chic fall wardrobe.

In keeping with the duality of this season, babydoll dresses add a sense of femininity to this season. The Babydoll dress, in soft pinks and chiffon and lace, characterize the softer elements of Fall 2001.

However, if babydoll dresses are not your thing, then you could try a new menswear-inspired suit. The menswear suit, while masculine at heart, can be layered with more feminine pieces the help create the look of duality.

The inspiration of menswear and masculinity does not stop with suits; it continues into evening wear through tuxedo separates. This new introduction into evening wear had been updated, though, with details like zippers, jabots, and ruffles. This masculine element accompanies the chic minidress in various colors and styles to balance the duality created by the tuxedo.