Winter seems to always sneak up on us  –  is your closet stocked with this season’s on-trend necessities? With so many stylish trends and looks to choose from, the task of narrowing down what to buy and what to pass on by can be daunting.

Want to know what will be in our closet this year?  We’ve pared the season’s trends down to our top five faves to give you a lust-worthy, and essential, list to shop from.  Included in this Style Seen Daily trend report:  Faux fur, leopard, gold, over the knee boots, and red lips.

#1 THE MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY:  Faux Fur

Model Iwona Lis in outfit provided by Los Cerritos Center. Foreign Exchange Faux fur vest: $44.

It’s a fur thing, and a sure thing—this holiday you can’t go wrong with decking out in faux fur.  Gain some instant style cred when you choose fur-trimmed boots, handbags or jackets.  We’ve taken note of the way this trend is spreading like wildfire with celebrities — Kim Kardashian likes to layer on her blonde faux vest when traveling, and Olivia Palmero broke out her faux vest early in chilly NYC — a sleek black version she layered over black skinnys and a dark sweater.   Don’t think California is exempt from this cozy look—as the weather cools here in L.A. we’ll see even more of this hot look around town.

Can’t decide which fur is fur you?

While shopping for our favorite faux-fur, we decided to go with a vest from Foreign Exchange in Los Cerritos Center that looked that it cost much more than it’s affordable sticker price of $44.

Pick a blend and style that fits your personality—are you wild and wooly with an edge?  Pick a longer haired multi-hued vest.  Are you Jackie O’s refined elegance?  Look for shorter haired single-tone cropped jackets.

#2 THE MUST-HAVE PRINT:  Leopard

Model Camila Poindexter. Outfit provided by Ann Taylor, Westside Pavilion. Ann Taylor Leopard Skirt: $118.

Here kitty, kitty….this fall, a little leopard makes your look large on style. Don’t try to tame this wild animal, 2010 is the year to feed your inner feline.  Grab that racy printed heel, or cinch that waist with a touch of cat-like couture—and know you’re not alone.  This fall we’ve seen Angelina Jolie is wrapping up in a stealth leopard trench, Victoria Beckham’s been carrying her kitty on her arm in a chain-strapped handbag, and Keira Knightly tied on a purr-fect printed scarf.

We spotted some decadent leopard looks at Ann Taylor at Westside Pavilion (model is wearing a-line leopard skirt, Ann Taylor, Westside Pavilion, $118).

Pick a lady-like pencil skirt, pumps or cute cardigan, or step out in a printed sheath, or ballet flats—just call a cat a cat, and say that leopard is topping your list for winter.

#3 THE MUST-HAVE COLOR:  Gold

Model Ashley Jeuong. Outfit provided by Love Culture, Santa Monica Place. Love Culture Gold tube dress $19.

The old adage is being redefined—all that glitters is gold this season.  Get your glitz-fix this holiday with this old-school glamour inducing metallic.  Start with jewelry, yes, but then get creative and look to lamé for new inspiration.  Gold-plated blazers, skirts, handbags and headbands are ruling the runways this winter, with glinting new takes on trend-forward pieces.

We recently caught Heidi Klum donning a sequined golden stunner during Milan Fashion Week, and Hilary Swank looking ravishing in bustier version at the London Film Festival.

When we hit the aisles and took a quick peek inside Love Culture at the new Santa Monica Place, we fell in love with their collection of gold tops and accessories.  Our faves that tipped the scales–everything from sequined tunics to gold and rhinestoned cuff bracelets, all for $20 and under.

#4  THE MUST-HAVE BOOT: Over-The-Knee

Model Michelle Marie. Dress provided by Foreign Exchange, Santa Monica Place. ALDO boots, Westside Pavilion, $130.

Over-the-knee boots are so fashion-forward they may make you question your style identity — “is over-the-knee for me?”  The answer is yes—the brave, the bashful and somewhere in between–even you can wear them.  So buck up, skivvy into some skinnys and get to shopping, because these boots aren’t optional.  Get right in a longer riding-boot flat version, or saddle up to sexy suede stilettos, but don’t dare to say that model Claudia Schiffer, and “Gossip Girl” star Taylor Momsen, don’t know where it’s at—they both started the fall wearing boots up to there with boldness.

ALDO in Westside Pavilion is our favorite haunt these days for these leg elongating lookers, (model is wearing knee high leather boots, Aldo, Westside Pavilion, $130).

Aldo carries knee high boots with prices ranging from $60 – $250 and when paired with tights and dresses, leggings and chunky sweaters, or your favorite slimming denim, will raise the roof.

#5 THE MUST-HAVE LIPS:  Red

Style Seen Daily Founder Crystal Fambrini.

Finally—what’s the accessory that compliments everything else you’ll buy this season?  Your sassy, bright red lips.  Pucker up and find the shade that lights up your complexion, and complements your hair and eye color.  If you have pink undertones to your skin, pick rowdy raspberry inspired reds, or blue-based plums.  If your skin is any shade of olive, choose brazen brown-reds or bubbly poppy hues.

If color matching makes you cringe, take a trip over to M.A.C at Westside Pavilion and ask one of their color experts to choose a true red for you.  This universally flattering neutral red is easy to fall for—it looks great on every face.  M.A.C’s color-rich lipsticks are $14.50 each.

D&G reveals new collections & spokesperson

Eva Mendes, Naomi Watts, Kate Hudson, Freida Pinto, Claudia Schiffer, Eva Herzigova, Sheryl Crow, Lindsay Lohan, Fergie, Naomi Campbell and Scarlett Johansson all made their way to Dolce and Gabbana’s front row in Milan for fashion week. This line up is the biggest Milan has had in years, all for their fall-winter 2009-2010 collection.

D&G revealed that Johansson will be the company’s new spokesperson for cosmetics.

Lohan and Fergie at Dolce and Gabbana Milian Show.

This D&G ’09 collection was explained to be inspired by surrealist art with desire to push limits.

Dolce and Gabbana Milan Runway 2009.

Everything had a slim silhouette at the bottom and more elaborate from the waist up and was full of details from decorated headbands, ruffled stocking seams and puffed sleeves were widely shown.  

Dolce and Gabbana Milan Runway 2009.

 Furs of all colors made up a big part of the looks.   

Dolce and Gabbana Milan Runway 2009.

Dolce and Gabbana also added an iconic fashion theme to the show paying homage to Marylin Monroe. 

Marylin Monroe inspired collection at the Dolce and Gabbana Milan Runway 2009.

Gowns with Monroe’s smiling face adorned the models down the runway and it seemed that the new makeup ad campaign face, Johansson, who was dressed a light green silk dress with cap sleeves, could not keep her eyes off those styles. Johansson, a reddish-brunette at the moment, was done up in the campaign to look like Monroe with bright red lipstick and white blond hair.

Dolce and Gabbana Make Up Campaign with Scarlett Johansson.

The UK Telegraph reported on Johansson’s shoot saying, “I’m kind of buxom. I love red lipstick and I love a good lip. I was working with Pat McGrath, the British make-up artist, and she was so funny. Everyone kept saying, ‘Get Pat off the set. Scarlett’s smiling too much.” 

“She is beautiful, and she has beautiful skin,” Stefano Gabbana said of 24-year-old Johansson. He added that she embodied the concept of beauty for young people today.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana revealing their new cosmetics spokesperson, Scarlett Johansson.

Backstage at the show, several beautiful male models all joined together to hit the runway in their black and white themed well tailored suits, Dolce and Gabbana still seem to dominate the market for European style suits.

Backstage in Milan at the Dolce and Gabbana Milan Runway 2009.

Look for the new line of make up in stores just weeks from now and the new collection heavy with metallics and also whimsical romantic looks has already hit the flagship retail locations.