Tasteful Russian Dressing

The Look: The Russians are coming! One of the great looks for fall is right out of “Doctor Zhivago”: velvet Cossack tunics with leather belts worn over leggings. Add a cap for the full effect.

How to Do It Big: New York designer Ralph Lauren went all out in his fall collection for women, giving each style its own Russian name. “Sophie,” a tunic of brown velvet with a burgundy silk lining, $996, is pictured here. Lauren paired it with a paisley scarf, $110. The wide leather belt with brass buckle is $58. Beneath it all, textured leggings in a cotton-wool blend, $31. The cap is $75. Everything is at the Polo Ralph Lauren boutique in Beverly Hills.

Total: $1,270.

How to Do It Budget: The velvet turtleneck tunic by Fraise pictured here--$155 at Harrari, citywide, and Wrights in Manhattan Beach--has a definite Russian flavor. The Tapemeasure leggings in burgundy velvet are $66 at Robinsons-May. The leather belt by L. Chessler is $20 at Nordstrom. The $55 scarf by Nick & Nora is at American Rag, Los Angeles. The cap by Parkhurst is $30 at I. Magnin.

Total: $326