By Amanda Barnett, Guest Fashion Blogger

Now that the leaves are turning from green to gold, it’s time to let the gloves come off–or if you live in Northeast Wisconsin like myself, it’s time to put them on–but how about an elbow-length mustard yellow style?  That’s right, this fall in 2009, the theme for fashion seems to be risk-taking.  And why not now? 

Just one year ago we elected our country’s first African-American to the highest office in the land with the hope of change.  Bravery or blind faith?  I believe it was a little bit of both, and that spirit has carried over into fall fashion.  While the air gets crisp, the trunks open up and we review our favorite fall sweaters and jackets.  But this year, there’s a new accessory waiting to liven up our same ho-hum sweater sets that we’ve been loving for years. 

Say OMG to OTK.  Over-the-knee boots are fall’s best friend and definitely have that “WOW!” factor.  But really?…Boots up to there that see the light of day?  Aren’t those reserved for Twilight fans and She-ra?  A recent google search for OTK turned up the new thigh high in every color (except white of course, you know Labor Day), and I was pleasantly surprised to find most were flats or wedges…quite the must here in Green Bay!   I’ve fallen on my face a time or two refusing to relinquish my heeled faux-uggs in the snow!  But even in flats in the safest shade of fall brown, OTK’s are a tad risque, non?  But again I say, why not? 

We all tend to hibernate when it starts to get colder outside.  So take comfort in knowing when you do step out for that rare winter date night (or to my favorite place to dress up, Target) that you’re well-heeled and most importantly, leaving caution to the wind.  My husband always says that to achieve something you’ve never had, you must try something you never have.  Now I’m not sure what you’ll gain from grocery shopping in OTK’s, but I will take a lesson from fall fashion and step outside my comfort level.  I’m planning on volunteering at the House of Hope, strutting my stuff in a fashion show, and serh gut, even taking German! 

This fall, you can find me chasing the falling leaves in my fiercest modern day superwoman boots (the flats of course!).  Let’s muster up a little more of that courage we showed last November, get out there and live a little more risque.

Check out some fresh styles from the runway below!

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