While everyone else is poring over Oscars’ best and worst dressed (I’m I the only one giving the fabulous Ms. Kruger a thumbs up?), I’m bringing you my best of New York fashion week. Several weeks late, I know, but as they say, better late…

By the time I begun wading through the NYFW slideshows, I became distracted by the shiny objects and endless parade of sequins, glitter and saturated color a la London Fashion Week. Jolly good—but back to New York. There were catwalks full of collegiate sweaters, chunky layers and furry hoods to sort through.

Predictably, the looks I flagged tenuously straddled the line between Things I Could Pull Off and Things I Wish I Could Pull Off. It was another season of adoring Peter Som and his rich, fully fleshed-out looks, another round of playing favorites with colors (black, always, and many shades of orange and cerulean) and once again, that underwhelmed feeling from the hyped collections. I liked a few pieces from Richard Chai LOVE; maybe I just didn’t “get” the rest.

I do love the pure artistry, though. What would fashion be without it? (RIP, McQueen.) Rodarte, always striving to fill the highly selective niche, fell short this time around. So Marc Jacobs’ declaration of the death of innovation is on target; there are only so many new tricks you can pull out of the hat, and fashion is a business after all (cue Michael Kors).

These looks are decidedly safe…but no less sumptuous. Screw spring and summer. I’ll happily forego the bathing suit and floppy hat and skip straight to gray woolen tights, kilts and knee-high duck boots.

From left: Peter Som, Anna Sui, Elie Tahari, Tommy Hilfiger, Milly, Proenza Schouler