Top 5 NY Fashion Week Hits

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is always theatrical, energized, crowded, exuberant ... and never dull. Inevitably, there are both hits and misses at Bryant Park Tents, and that's part of the fun. Here's a rundown of some of our favorite trends from the week. And for the flip side, don't forget to take a look at the worst of the week!

Parties with a cause: It wouldn't be Fashion Week without some great parties, although admittedly some were cancelled this season due to the economy. Our favorites, like Morellato's packed store opening near Bryant Park, helped raise money for charity while everyone was having a good time. That's worth a toast!

Organic materials: They're easy to find these days at the supermarket and the drugstore, and now organics are becoming commonplace for clothing as well. Two of our favorite emerging lines, Bodkin and Organic (yes, the name says it all), pay as much attention to materials as execution, and designers like Behnaz Serafpour and Carlos Miele are using organic and recycled fabrics as well. Let's hope this trend continues to grow. (We also hope the fad among the chicest fashion editors — to take their show notes in a special Mrs. John L. Strong "fashion file" notebook made from 100 percent recycled paper — continues too: They are beautiful and save trees to boot.)

Lots of leggings: Whether punked up in a black leathery finish or splattered with a colorful print, leggings were everywhere this Fashion Week ... and that's fine with us, since they look good on pretty much every body type and are an affordable way to pick up a hot trend.

Gift bags that give back: From Miss Sixty's umbrellas for the nonprofit charity: water to the sustainably-grown chocolate handed out at the Mara Hoffman show, the best gift bags of the week were as much about support as swag.

Classy classics: This fall there will be lots of crisp and dependable wardrobe staples in the stores, often at non-astronomical prices. Some favorites from the week include Tommy Hilfiger's navy and beige coats and the steely gray pencil skirt from Abaete.

All photos courtesy of Ali Goldstein for Tonic.