PHOTO CREDIT: Fame Pictures via GumGum.

ROME, IT — Julia Roberts was on location in Rome filming Eat, Pray, Love on August 31 2009. Roberts sported two fall trends at once — a skinny belt and a short-sleeve cardigan. We will focus on short-sleeve to 3/4 sleeve cardigans for now, and we will feature skinny belts elsewhere.

Short-sleeve cardigans can be worn in a number of ways, but they are most suitable for layering (just like J. Roberts did). Our sources offer variety of styles:

Vince Short Sleeve Cardigan with Leather Tie Belt $206.50, was $295 via shopbop.com.

Short-sleeve belted cardigan $74.99, was $90 via Banana Republic.

Qi Cashmere Rouched Kimono Cardigan in Ivory $225 via Couture Candy.

Military style jackets with frogging embroidery, which were the staple of Michael Jackson’s concert wardrobe and were commonly used as officer’s uniform in many armies around 18th century through early 20th century, became one of the hottest trends in 2009.

The style was brought back by Christophe Decarnin for Balmain Spring 2009 Collection and re-interpreted by many other designers for Spring and Fall 2009. The trend was further fueled by Michael Jackson untimely passing away, which created real demand for military style he loved so much.

Photo above shows Jackson’s military style jackets that he wore at different times: (front row, L to R): Hollywood Walk of Fame Black Sequin Jacket; Red sequined jacket; Sequined jacket from the Victory Tour; (back row, L to R): Black Faux Leather Jacket worn to a 1998 press conference regarding plans for proposed theme park Majestic Kingdom; Military Jacket worn to the 26th Annual NAACP Image Awards; Black and Red Military Jacket; Red Sequin Jacket worn during the making of “What More Can I Give;” Black and Gold Jacket worn at a 1993 press conference with Nelson Mandela; Silver Sequin Jacket from the Victory Tour.

While Balmain jackets are extremely expensive finding limited audience including celebrities, we wanted to present less expensive alternatives. So here’s what we dug up:

AKA New York Admirals Jacket $227.50, was $325 via shopbop.com

BB Dakota Lombard Jacket $75 via Boutique To You.

ABS Black Bandleader Jacket with Gold Trim $341 via chickdowntown.com.