NEW YORK -- Trend-spotting was fun and easy at the recently concluded Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

In womenswear, the general direction for next fall and winter veers toward more, more, more -- more sportswear than last fall, more volume in skirts and more bulk and detail in jacket shoulders to visually balance the continuing emphasis on waist-accentuating pants and skirts.

Skinny suits and shorter jackets were prevalent in menswear collections. Meanwhile, men-inspired suits and other looks for women were more abundant, but they were always feminine and sensual with lace-trimmed or ruffled blouses.

Lurex-like threading in bronze and especially silver were in many fabrics. There also was an abundance of chiffon in women's eveningwear, more use of satin in women's daywear and even menswear, a major emphasis on floral and artistic prints and continued design inspiration from the '40s and '60s.

Here are 10 other key trends you're likely to see translated from runway to reality come autumn:

• Feathers: Many collections incorporated this avian attribute, from long pheasant feathers on hats to layers of shiny coq feathers and sections of fluffy ostrich feathers on gowns and cocktail dresses.

• Copper: Metallics have been hot year-round for several seasons, but now we're seeing the use of this warmer metallic. It was especially popular in evening and special-occasion looks for women.

• Wide-leg trousers: Women can't get enough of this silhouette, and designers served up lots more. Watch for them in gorgeous plaids as suit components. Many styles come with high waists, and most hems come within millimeters of the floor.

• Dusters: Floor-sweeping coats and sweaters were a popular silhouette for men as well as women. Some styles were shorter in the front for an edgier look. Some sported double-breasted button stances, others featured hoods. But what they all shared was a dramatic look when in motion.

• Mantles: These women's coats are more sophisticated styles constructed to be worn off the shoulder. They look great with eveningwear because of the way they frame the face and upper body.

• Tuxedo jackets: Long or short, black or navy, this piece was ubiquitous for men and women. It was shown with traditional tuxedo pants and re-imagined with jumpsuits and skirts for women and with black denim for men.

• Velvet jackets: They've seen renewed popularity in recent seasons and add a luxe look to dark denim jeans. Designers sent out plenty of options for men and women, including styles in textured and embroidered velvets.

• Vests: Most designers chose to call them waistcoats, but we know them better simply as vests. There were casual and dressy styles for men and women in dark neutrals and fairly conservative prints.

• Oversized cableknits: Whether you're talking about a crewneck, shrug or scarf, the key words are big and chunky. Thanks to fabric innovations, it's easier than ever to find cableknits that are warm and soft rather than hot and stuffy. Black and cream are universally flattering, but consider a piece in a hot trend color such as gray, purple, fuchsia, chartreuse or teal.

• Hats: It's the biggest accessory story of the season, especially for women. Designers embellished fedoras, cloches and other styles with feathers, bows, rosettes, jewels, netting and lots of color. The key word was whimsical, and the way to wear these styles was always at a jaunty angle.