We’ve been sent some weird stuff at Fashionista, but never have we ever been more perplexed by an accessory than we are by the legwarmer-sock-boot cover product known as “Bella Legs.”

The package arrived Monday; we’re still gaping at it Wednesday. They’re essentially legwarmers that widen at the bottom to fit over your boots (though they don’t fit over my Frye boots) or heels. The kicker though, is the wide variety of styles.

We’ve got an awful Burberry plaid knock-off, white cable knit, black lace, ruffled chiffon, rhinestoned fleur de lis, and the worst possible phrase we may ever utter on this blog: black, glitter, ruched faux fur with drawstrings. (Let’s not pretend I didn’t just run around the office pretending to be the Yeti.)

But seriously, they’re supposed to turn “one great looking pair of boots into an amazing collection of boots.” Not that there’s anything wrong with high socks or legwarmers; we love them a la Marni or Marc by MJ, but a) why can’t this look be acheived with regular socks or legwarmers? and b) sometimes less, as in just one pair of boots, is more.

So it’s not the newsiest of days in the fashion world, but even if we were slammed, I would have to find time to write about the book that just arrived at the office.

We get lots of random press releases, etc around here, but children’s books with a fashion angle…not so much. Until today.

I opened the package to find Tales from Brooks Brothers: Introducing Henry’s Unsuitable Adventure. The premise is a little bit Mannequin meets From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, except creepier and for little kids.

Children’s books are all about the message like learning to share or making new friends. Apparently this one is about indoctrinating the youth of America with a love of Brooks Brothers.

Please, please tell us this is not true. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz in Vogue? No. Just no. There is so much talent in young Hollywood that Vogue has yet to include. On the plus side, Abby has definitively decided she will be dressing as Ash (already a front-runner) for her “Dress as Your Most Loathed Celebrity”-themed Halloween/Birthday party.

In this morning’s WWD writer Jacob Bernstein poses an interesting question about whether or not fashion’s intense global exposure takes away a bit of the mystique that made it so interesting for so long.

It’s certainly a valid point. But not one that I think that I can come down on one side or the other on. Certainly, part of what drew me into the world of fashion and magazines as a kid growing up in Indiana was the apparent exclusivity of the club. Well, that along with the beautiful people wearing the beautiful clothes in the beautiful photographs.

But these are different times. Obviously (and thankfully, considering how I earn my living) there’s the internet. But the article also cites reality television (Project Runway, The Rachel Zoe Project, ANTM), documentaries like Valentino: The Last Emperor and The September Issue, and even the photography of Terry Richardson and Juergen Teller as giving the world an actual look in on our little world. Kate Betts said, “Fashion used to be a much smaller and more insulated business,Then it became more of a global business and now it’s in many respects a part of the entertainment business.”

This picture landed in my inbox because of the Bally bag Kate Hudson’s holding - which is cute - but I’m writing about it because of the kid.

It’s from the set of a shoot for Harper’s Bazaar (I swear we’re not trying to belabor our Bazaar feelings; it just keeps coming up) in which she’s modeling not just the latest fashion, but also her five-year-old son, Ryder.

The kid looks adorable, but it’s jarring to see him voluntarily put in front of the camera when so many people - famous people - complain about media attention toward their children. It’s something we touched on last year when Natalia Vodianova dragged her entire clan into the pages of Vogue and something we thought about again when Angela Lindvall posed with her kids in British Vogue and then gave her son a starring role in her Gap ad.

Is it okay because it’s a controlled environment, unlike the paparazzi on the sidewalk? Because they’re still kids either way, and they’re not the ones choosing to model, their parents just happen to be really, really pretty. Are we nuts? Or would you, too, prefer your fashion editorials without a side of child?

Today could end up being a very big day at Condé Nast. And likely not in good way. I fear that as I type, there may be a slew of people getting their pink slips. But one headline I really wasn’t expecting to see this morning was that the company was launching a dating site.

What the what? According to Vogue UK, Condé Nast International has launched TrulyMadlyDating.com and it’s linked in to Glamour, GQ, and even Vogue’s websites. (There’s an option on the profile sign up that names them as partner sites.)

The article states that the site is meant to “unite glamorous girls with fashion-conscious GQ-reading boys to create matches made in style heaven.” I have a ton of friends in and out of the fashion and magazine business who have had tremendous success with internet dating. But I’m sorry, our industry is really the last place I’m looking to for set-ups. I love the mix of people that I get to work with, but c’mon I don’t really think of it as the go-to place for straight men, not that those are the only pairings that the site can offer up…just the ones I would be in the market for.

Also, really Condé? This is how you’re diving into the internet business in a big way? I simply don’t understand this use of resources or what on earth it has to do with your core business. If someone else can explain it to me, please do.

Dear Los Angeles,

You know I love you. I do. I miss living in your sunny confines sometimes, though my heart has always resided firmly in New York.

But, seriously, you’ve got to stop trying to make Fashion Week happen. It’s not going to happen. We’ve questioned your motives on this front before and we won’t stop until you wise up.

To be honest, I thought we were done with this mess when IMG and the Factor brothers finally dissolved that poorly attended (and mouthful to say) Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios. I was wrong, and here’s the schedule. I know, it’s simply blowing your mind, right?

As any fashion lover knows, dressing fashionably and dressing for the opposite sex are usually two very different things.

It’s a long debated argument, just who exactly to dress for, one we’ve even covered a few times, but today’s story in the Daily Mail got us thinking; while broad shoulders and draped bodices are hot trends for AW09, wearing say, a poof-sleeved, leather Louis Vuitton-shaped dress on a Friday night, isn’t the best way to rope in the dude at the bar.

Not that we expect that to be your number one concern, we just wonder how you balance your love of runway fashion with your social life. You probably don’t forego baggy Marc dresses or shredded Current/Elliots or massive Marni platforms just because the girl in low slung jeans and a white tank looks at you like you’re nuts or the guy you’re dating says, “You look like a cake topper,” - (true story) - but you also must shy away from being too fashion forward at some point.

The disconnect between fashionable and sexy can be frustrating, so how do you make it work?

Remember this Alexander Wang dress?

Its evolution started with a runway debut on Aline Weber last September, hopped right to a V Magazine party that same week on Anja Rubik, and quickly became the new Prada lace, popping up in every single editorial until even Topshop attempted to rip it off, disastrously, and everyone who’d bought it finally tucked the piece away into the back of their closet.

But we hear Tyra Banks rocks it on the season premiere of America’s Next Top Model.

What does this mean? Well, we’ll finally see it on a womanly body, which could give those squiggles a whole new dimension. But more importantly, it means Tyra might start incorporating relevant fashion into the show (though yes, a year behind). Maybe she can put the models in Prada’s epic SS09 sandals in the second episode and see if they fare any better than the originals?

In other Bravo-related news, apparently there’s this show that Andy Cohen hosts on Thursday at midnight called Watch What Happens Live.

Considering the obscene amount of television that I watch and that a large chunk of it airs on Bravo, I’m rather embarrassed that I didn’t know about its existence until just now.

Here’s the lineup for tonight: the hilarious and adorable Brad from RZP, Lisa from Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Barney Frank. Yep, you read that right.

(A very random ad for Gatwick Airport via Copyranter)

Everyone’s talking about Tavi.

The thirteen-year-old StyleRookie (or not) covers Dasha Zhukova’s first POP. She’s also inside, and on one of the promotional images of Katie Grand’s second LOVE.

Damien Hirst’s illustration (at left) made us gasp, while Grand’s editorial made us “Aw”; while we worship the ground Katie walks on, now we’re actually excited to see what Dasha’s done.

Which do you prefer?

Meet Miss Lanvin.

Franz Porcelain’s just sent us a peek of their new collection of thirteen dolls, made in collaboration with the house and Alber. They say, “While Elbaz has revitalized the fashion house, he, like Lanvin, still appreciates tradition. Part of that tradition includes a strong affection for dolls.”

A friend emailed to say she was skipping coffee and heading straight to Prada this morning to pre-order the thigh high boots I mentioned in my second of what will now be three posts on the matter.

I might wax rhapsodic about them, but I can’t actually afford them while she, corporate lawyer with perfectly long legs can both buy and wear them — the question is where? Underneath her slacks?

Most everyone we (as in at Fashionista) know functions in a world in which anything goes, in fact, the crazier the better. But we often forget about people in the corporate world who actually wear, gasp, suits to work everyday. And we wonder how they get their fashion kicks.

If we worked in a proper office we imagine, unrealistically, that we’d wear Vivienne Westwood suits and round toe black Louboutins, but we’ve been to midtown and it doesn’t look like that. Yet we know a love of fashion isn’t restricted to those working in it. So basically, in an attempt to reach outside our bubble, we’re wondering what you wear in your office if you’re into fashion enough to be reading this site.

Vanity Fair’s August issue featured an in depth look at Harvard University’s financial unraveling.

I read it on the plane back from LA, wide-eyed that the school’s endowment bled $18 billion (half their total endowment) in four months. So now, when I read that Harvard’s started their own clothing line with Wearwolf Group, I wonder if they’re trying to save their great institution through fashion.

Harvard Yard launches for 2010 in department stores and boutiques across the country with both men’s and women’s wear. We’re not talking crimson sweatshirts stamped with the white Harvard brand, but khaki pants and dress coats, striped knits and plaid jackets to emulate the Harvard prep lifestyle. In fact, there’s not a school logo in sight, just subtle spots of crimson outlining zippers and button holes.

The best part is, one of the key players tellsWWD that they’re hoping to attract “fans of the university,” not just alumni. Two hundred and twenty-five dollar pants will attract few fans, but wouldn’t it be brilliant if this is what saved their doomed science building?

I’ve been trying to catch up on the men’s shows before Paris hits and it’s always interesting to scroll through everything at once.

I’m clicking through the boring suits with contrast lapels and short shorts that won’t work on any guy who hasn’t been to the gym every day for the past month and I’m noticing what might be the oddest trend ever: Socks.

My inner fashion demon, the ones from way back, like second grade, have always told me that socks and sandals are the biggest, most absolute NO ever.

But now, post-hours on men.Style.com, I learn that Stefano Pilati thinks they’re OK, Dean and Dan think they’re grand and even Consuelo Castiglioni over at Marni channeled “Grandpa with his pants down” when she decided that loafers paired with knee-highs and boxer shorts make an acceptable outfit.

And now my fashion compass is all sorts of off.

—KYLE HAYES

Given our Gossip Girl obsession, I felt the need to weigh in on the situation that is NYC Prep, fashion news or not.

While I anxiously await Daily Intel’s highly specific (and sure to be hilarious) recap, I’ll just share a few quick thoughts.

I was obviously expecting an abundance of egregious behavior and inflated egos from these privileged youth…they were worse than expected. It was kind of nauseating to watch. Fictional romps on GG = good. Real kids acting like a-holes, not so much. Note: PC, sir, you are no Chuck Bass.

Plus, I was less than impressed by the clothing—which is supposed to be one of their “things”, yes? Personal shoppers do not a stylish girl (or boy) make. And Sebastian, really with the hair? We think Rolando could give you some serious advice.

Blair, Chuck, Serena, and even Little J would be so disappointed.

Fashion quote of the show for sure was from Jessie’s friend, Zoe: “I wear clothes that are less than $20 sometimes.” I don’t even have words…

Are these kids giving their private school counterparts across the country a bad name? Or just our fair city of New York? I, for one, have never been more proud of my public school diploma.

Yet, I know I will still watch every episode of this silly show. What does that say about me? Are you with me? Or are you a more culturally sound person?

Michelle Trachtenberg’s danced around the fashion crowd for a bit now without actually attaching her name to anything (except for her stint as one of the faces for Candie’s at Kohl’s which she’d probably like us to forget.)

But now she’s throwing a party for Guess.

They’re re-opening their Soho flagship store at the end of July and Georgina Sparks, along with Marie Claire, will host the bash.

Which of course makes us wonder, will Michelle grace an upcoming cover of Marie Claire or join forces with Guess’ sultry models?

It also makes us wonder what went wrong in the world of Gossip Girls-turned-campaign faces. We’re still not over Leighton for Reebok or Ed for K Swiss, and Michelle for Guess is just as disturbing. They all have faces worthy of high fashion campaigns and Michelle and Leighton both have curves we’d love to see in runway clothes.

Make us proud Blake.

Let me just say that I love Elle, lots. It is one of the few American fashion mags that I actually read cover to cover every month.

I’m a huge fan of EIC Robbie Myers and Creative Director Joe Zee.

That said, I’m somewhat perplexed by their June cover girl, Megan Fox. One of these things is not like the other one. Granted, the girl is beautiful and the Alexei Hay shots I’ve seen look equally so.

GQ, sure I get it. But does starring in two Transformers movies plus being smoking hot really warrant an Elle cover? Not so much in this girl’s opinion.