Fashion Week got off to a bit of a soggy start this year - perhaps reflecting the somber mood in the retail markets - yet while the weather definitely improved (yay Fall in NYC!), man of the looks this year stuck to shades of grey. Indeed, the spring collections, much like their fall counterparts earlier in the recession, were all about back to basics: what's going to sell. Forgive my cynicism (and my snobbery) but you know fashion week has been taken down a notch when there's a McCafe in the tents. But beyond all this, the huslte and bustle of boys wearing headsets and girls wearing stilettos was still in abundance, and one can't help but smile at the craziness of it all as you're herded from one line to the next, and from one dimly lit room full of models to the next.

Some highlights included the colorful Loden Dager show, one of the few collections featuring bright, popping pieces that will definitely put a bit of spring in your wardrobe. On the other end of the spectrum, Rag & Bone showed a uniform-themed collection filled with greys, khakis and denim that shows their continuing commitment to classic, slim, clean, tailoring. Major cost-cutting props must go to Shipley & Halmos who opted to show four short films in place of a show (that recession rears its ugly head again), and debuted some sharp, if a bit simple, color-block knits and boyish looking suits. My pick of the week would have to be Michael Bastian, whose cavalier, simple, flattering collection made me want to hop the next flight to Buenos Aires. His jaunty, youthful style combined with impeccable materials and details confirm all reports that he is the designer to watch in menswear.

And that's Fashion Week, folks! Here's to a stylish fall and spring.