Flying Feathers

If you want to look fashionable next fall, follow the flock.

Feathers were a surprising trend on Tuesday at New York Fashion Week, showing up on coats, dresses and hats. In tough economic times, perhaps feathers seem a little less showy than fur.

It's only the most literal bird influence, though. Look for colors next fall called goldfinch, cardinal and peacock, and some ornithology-inspired prints from Carolina Herrera.

Fashionably feathered models walked the runway Tuesday at Badgley Mishka, Monique Lhuillier and J. Mendel. Feathers were used as hair accessories for the Marc by Marc Jacobs line, and earlier in the week they were prominent at Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Proenza Schouler.

Monique Lhuillier dress