Now that the Milan Fall/Winter 2008 collections have come to a close, we’ve compiled our favorite shows, trends, and ways to get these looks at affordable prices. We saw loads of boots on Milan’s runways, at both ends of the spectrum, from booties to long, over-the-knee variations. Cream is predicted to be a very hot color for next fall, in everything from dresses and coats to footwear and handbags. Also spotted was plenty of menswear fabrics – rich tweeds abounded in silhouettes meant for her. Below are our favorite runways shows, with examples of how to buy into the trend.

Show highlights:

Gucci

A brand that is synonymous with sexy (defined during Tom Ford’s heyday), the designer currently at the helm of Gucci, Frida Giannini, has been able to keep up with that image – without having to show an abundance of revealing clothes parade down the runway. Case in point: the current collection, which she dubbed “Gucci boho” , is ripe with Eastern European peasant inspiration refashioned Italian style, into a chic collection of must have clothes, shoes, and handbags. We loved the over- the-knee boots, leather and fur boleros, sleek pants, and patterned dresses reminiscent of a 70s head scarf print. One of our favorite looks from the collection opened the show and channeled the “Gucci boho” motif to perfection. Go for a pair of tight pants, like these Mid-Rise Skinny Ankle Pants, $29.50 combined with a peasant-inspired blouse, like this Smocked Off-Shoulder Top, $24.50 (both, Old Navy). We can’t forget about those boots – which in our opinion make the outfit! Get the look with these Over the Knee Boots, $59.99 at Frederick’s of Hollywood (search “12057”).

Prada

You’ve gotta love lace this fall, as Miuccia Prada indicated in her collection. Her interpretation of the trend was as not to be overly sexy, but a bit retro, a bit revealing, a bit mysterious. The lace color palette ranged from black to cream to beige, light blue and chocolate brown, with even a pop of electric orange thrown into the mix. There were some minimalist, austere looks sans any trace of lace, however we yearned to see what Prada would do next with the see-through fabric. Even a handbag or two got the lace treatment. Not to be missed were the amazing, sculptural heels – unlike anything we’ve ever seen with their fanned out, 3D designs on the toes and heels. Our overall favorite look is this lace-all-over dress which gets right to the core of Prada’s collection. A few lace dresses that we found possessing a similar vibe are the Betsey Johnson Black Gold Gilded Lace Ruffle Dress, $199, and the Alexia Admor Black Lace Asymmetric Tube Dress, $61.99, both from Bluefly.com. For a more casual approach, go for a peek-a-boo top, like this Maya Tan Linen-Blend Copper Threaded Lace T-Shirt, $99.99, also Bluefly.com.

Giorgio Armani

If Giorgio Armani expresses that velvet is what he’s into for the fall, then we most-definitely agree to follow in the plushy fabric trend stated by this effortlessly chic Italian. His looks were pretty and put together, all with eveningwear in mind and barely a nod to his famously softened, deconstructed suiting could be found. Moody blues, greys, and blacks dominate the color palette, however we were refreshed to see the inclusion of floral prints in this collection. We loved the prim velvet pencil skirts and the flowing, wide leg velvet pants from the show. It’s incredibly easy to get these foundation pieces at a price that won’t break the bank – for example we found the Isaac Mizrahi for Target Rayon Velvet Palazzo Pants in Ebony for $8.74 at Amazon.com, and the east5th Velvet Pant, $24.99 - $29.99 at JC Penney. For a velvet skirt, we really like the Isaac Mizrahi for Target Rayon Velvet Pencil Skirt in Ebony, $17.49 at Amazon.com.

Emilio Pucci

Knits, prints, jackets, and fur brought a wintry mix to the runway at Emilio Pucci, that harkened back to the label’s heritage as a line of ski-wear. A darker, richer palette of Pucci’s signature prints were found on dresses, tops, coats, jacket linings, and skirts. Our favorite, of course was the dresses – this season there wasn’t one consistent dress shape by Pucci designer Matthew Williamson – he put down the runway long, ethereal filmy gowns, to metallic minis, skintight numbers, and even modified babydoll and puffed out silhouettes. Our favorite look is this colorful mini dress paired with a car coat and Marilyn Mason-esque boots. To get the look first you’ve gotta get the dress. We recommend the Wink Ruffle Wrap Dress in Teal, ($134.99, WinkNYC) or the Rabbit Rabbit Pucci Print Dress for $35.99 at BeallsFlorida.com. For a more modest approach, go for a top instead, like this Madison Marcus Print V Neck Top, $145.99 also at Wink NYC. Pair it with a lightweight black jacket or cardigan, like this Autumn Cashmere Cotton Black Cotton Long Grandfather Cardigan for $77 at Bluefly, and your good to go!

--Julia DiNardo