Trovata's Spring 09 collection had such an abundance of buffalo check that from across the showroom floor it almost looked like a Commes des Garcon diffusion line. This is meant, of course, as a compliment--we think it's a universally pleasing pattern. Of the buffalo check offerings, our favorite were a pair of trousers (left) that had a similar low-slung silhouette to Catherine Holstein's version over on the other side of the room. Other than that the Trovata collection was full of signature staples; oxford shirt dresses for the girls and blazers for the guys. One fantastic piece up-close was a thin maxi-length shirtdress that the pictures just don't do justice. That's no fault of Trovata; there are some garments that just look like a potato sack until you slip them on and move around a little bit. After all, far more offensive are the garments that only look nice on the hanger. 

This morning we visited the Denise Williamson Showroom for some face time with their Spring 09 offerings. First up was Catherine Holstein's highly anticipated Spring 09 collection which was one of our favorites from New York Fashion Week. She might be known as a cool, pretty girl around town but Holstein's designs go far deeper than that. What was impressive in person was how Holstein balanced so many elements without compromising that classic contemporary feeling. The palette included mustard yellow, indigo, and red, the fabrics ranged from lace to cotton, and the silhouettes went from billowy to pin-straight. There wasn't a piece in the collection we didn't like but if we had to choose our top three favorites it would be a pair of her low-slung trousers, a knit head wrap, and that garden-worthy lace dress. 

Harley Davidson is a grand American tradition full of style inspiration as it goes about its Americana dreams of vim, vigor, and virility but the Hog's stock has been taking a turn for the worse in the past few years.

All of this makes us wonder if Marissa Miller's new Harley Davidson advertisements are designed to help get "it" back up. Though all of it does make us wonder if this helps or hinders Harley's new promotions to help encourage "more women to take life by the handlebars" with We Ride - The Harley-Davidson Guide for Women.

As avid equestrians the fall brings many pleasures from autumnal hacks in the countryside to snuffly horse breath in the crisp air but none is more eagerly anticipated than the end of year horse shows. Britain is currently hosting The Horse of The Year Show or HOYS. The show runs every October and incorporates a full programme of international show jumping, the British National Show Jumping finals and a range of displays and entertainment including the Pony Club Mounted Games for the Prince Philip Cup.

As former Pony Clubbers ourselves we appreciate the the spirit of competition and horsemanship demonstrated by the youngsters that make it to these finals. In our current culture of self obsession, equestrian sports remain a bastion of gentility (and yes inordinate expense), deference and sportsmanship in which the well being of another animal occupies more space than one's own personal wants. The lessons of horse management serve more than their function as they teach a kind of respect for self and beast that we see few other places

But we digress! Due in part to its high standards of competition and its placement at the end of equestrian year, the Show has become a national treasure in the UK, rich in heritage and tradition and is considered to be the most famous horse show in the world. But American equestrian fans should not fret as soon we too will be celebrating our nationals at our very own 125th National Horse Show.

Images of Riders from Barnwell compete in the Prince Philip Cup Pony Club Mounted Games and Katie Price and her horse 'Jordans Glamour Girl' performing Dressage to Music via Getty Sports