After a decade of navy blue, burnt sienna and forest green, finally, and emphatically, black is the new black. Other autumn trends include cowgirl shirts, knee high boots, and leather - lots and lots of leather.

To document the 2001 fall fashion tenor, the Current combed the area. Here's what we found dangling from the hangers of some of Hoboken's hottest boutiques.

CALAMITY JANE - Peper is overflowing with cowgirl-inspired blouses for fall. This red shirt by Rouge goes for $126.

LEATHER BOUND - "Leather is always big for the fall," said Maria DeCeglie, a Peper employee. And along with Western-inspired apparel, Peper is stocking lots of leather products this fall. Imported from Italy are Goffredo Fantini knee-high boots ($348) and Fantini ankle-boots ($329); a black hip-hugging belt by Bambina ($89); and a leather bag by Ozero ($374).

KEN DOLL - Peper also stocks a line of men's clothes. Our mannequin is wearing a Diesel jacket ($119) and a Parke and Ronen red plaid shirt ($91). "Red is also really big for the fall," Maria DeCeglie said.

I HEART YOU - Down To Earth is peddling black leather studded pants by the always wacky and whimsical designer Betsy Johnson ($353).

ACADEMIC CHIC - Just because you're not a Medieval literature professor at a venerable Ivy-league institution, doesn't mean you can't dress like one. Down to Earth is selling quaint corduroy blazers with leather elbow patches by Tibi. ($153).

THE WEDDING SIGNER - Just because you're not a wedding singer, doesn't mean you can't dress like one. Down to Earth is also stocking ruffled Tuxedo-inspired blouses like this red and pink Tibi original ($133).

FOOT FETISH - Desiree Pesce, the co-owner of Air Studios, has garnered quite a collection of sexy and stylish shoes, including pumps by Jill Stuart and high heeled boots by the Dallas-based designer William Reid. The fabulous footwear runs between $300 and $400.

DENIM FRENZY - Air Studios, the chic boutique on First Street, is a great place to glean high fashion's pulse. For instance, donning Alicia Lawhon's denim military jacket ($220), a DeConstructed Denim skirt ($192), a Shoshanna (of Jerry Seinfeld's former girlfriend-fame) turtleneck sweater ($139), and a William Reid Bag, this mannequin looks hipper than the hippest East Village hipster.

DETAILED DESIGNS - "When stocking my store, I always stay a away from trendy items," explained Pesce. "And I pay close attention to detail." Pesce pointed out the sleeve detail on Jared Gold's olive green sweatshirt (left, $139). Gold, an up and coming Los Angeles designer, is also the author of the right-hand mannequin's ensemble (shirt, $84; and skirt, $192).