Korean American Kim Halzle, co-founder of the fashion website Runway Rundown, gives us the shopping report on what to buy now (nab them at the sales!), wear now, and still be on trend come spring.

It’s a great time to shop as the New Year sales are in full swing. Be the smartest shopper you can be by buying clearance fall items items that will be on trend for spring 2011. Not sure what the key trends for Spring are? Fret not  — I’ve got 5 must-have trends that you’ll soon be seeing gracing the blogs and red carpets. If you keep these trends in mind for your shopping and styling needs, you are sure to have a fashion forward, on-trend look to start off your new year!

Trend 1:  Floor-Length Skirts

Retire your maxi dress until summer and take on a new, refined yet classic look of a floor-length skirt. With a variety of silhouettes like fit and flare, A-line and even a full skirt that resembles wide leg pants, the options to style this look are endless. I suggest keeping your top fitted and always tuck it into the skirt as to not take away from the grandiose effect of the skirt.

Some inspirations from the runway:

From left: Reem Acra, Carolina Herrera and Lanvin.

Get the look now with these easy buys:

From left: Slinky Maxi Skirt from Forever 21, $19.80; Desert Florals Maxi Skirt from Free People, $98; and Draped Wrap Maxi Skirt from Forever 21, $22.80.

Trend 2:  Wide Leg Pants

This trend will kill two birds with one stone as wide leg pants and ’70s styles are both going to be big for spring. It’s almost impossible to not give off a ’70s vibe when wearing wide leg pants so be prepared to channel your inner hippie. This is  a trend that continues to pop up across the runways from season to season so if you haven’t already, take this spring as your opportunity to invest in a great pair of wide leg pants. I promise you will get your money’s worth from them as it is a trend sure to repeat itself.

Inspiration from the runway:

From left: Marc Jacobs, Monique Lhuillier, Hermes.

Say goodbye to those exaggerated harem-cut pants and welcome a classic look that keeps repeating itself … wide leg pants. You can even rock a spin off of the wide leg pant with a flared trouser. Here are my top picks to buy:

ASOS Tailored Ponti High Waisted Slim Flare Pants, $51.72.

From left: ASOS Tailored Extreme Wide Leg Wool Pant, $72.41; ASOS Tailored Flannel Wide Leg Pant, $36.20.

Sparkle & Fade Wide Leg Chiffon Pant from Urban Outfitters, $54.

Trend 3:  A Pop of Orange

Every season has a few colors that stand out as a trendy tone. However, this spring it is all about orange. Seen on several runway shows for spring, this bright citrus hue is sure to be a huge hit for spring. And what better way to gear up for a warm summer than with a burst of color? Wear it as the only shade  in your ensemble, mix it up in a fun print or color block your outfit with a solid chunk of orange paired with a subdued tone.

Inspiration from the runway:

From left: Halston, Prada, Yves St. Laurent.

Get the look with these pieces available now:

From left: Patterson J. Kincaid dress from REVOLVE, $168; Orange Fringe Bag from Topshop, $60; Richard Nicoll Color block tank from The Outnet, $85.50.

It’s December and winter is finally here! Though it’s still about 70 degrees here in Los Angeles as I write this, it’s bound to get chilly soon so it’s time to stock up on some winter clothes. This season, wear a coat to keep you warm through the cold days. There’s a ton of coats out there and that makes it difficult to choose which one to buy. Here, I breakdown the things you have to consider when choosing a coat.

Length: If you’re looking for something more mature to go with your formal looks, go for something longer, like one that’s down to your knees. Avoid going any longer if you’re not especially tall; you don’t want your coat to wear you. Coats that are too long for your figure make you look even shorter. For more casual outings, keep your coat at hip-length or above. Being only 5’1″ myself, I went for a coat that goes down to my hips, which is a very versatile length to dress up or down.

Color/Pattern: Normally, people go for black or dark gray because they go with virtually every outfit. This is a wise decision, but make sure you have your lint roller ready! If you’re feeling bold, try a sharper color, like red, teal or purple. Looking for something in between? Camel tone is a popular choice. There is also the option of going for a pattern, like houndstooth, tweed or plaid.

Buttons: Buttons are one of the main features of a coat. Double-breasted peacoats are the most common, but there are also single-breasted coats. There can be buttons down the whole front or just the top half. The types of buttons defer as well, such as plain, military or toggle. Buttons are really just a personal preference, so just choose what you like.

Detailing: The different styles of coats are expanding. If you like ruffles, some coats have ruffled bottoms or collars. This also applies to faux fur. Personally, I don’t prefer either because they make coats seem even chunkier, but do take into account that I am petite in size. But if you like them, I say go for it!