Erin Featherston’s dainty, girly clothes have always been pretty — but often felt like human-sized doll clothes, they were so very, very precious.

But if her fresh-feeling Fall ’10 collection is any indication, the designer has officially stepped out of the Barbie mansion.

The tight, breezy collection — which was inspired by 60s singer Nico –  featured prairie-inspired dresses worn with sharp boyfriend blazers and chunky-heeled long boots (a look that feels very 70s Malibu), metallic and velvet short-and-tight party dresses and day-tonight dresses with gathered bodices and easy skirts that hit a few inches below the knee (the new cool length? Hope so.).

The color palette was muted, with pops of color, including bright, rich orange, which lent the requisite ’60s vibe. Very grown-up choices, indeed.

Photos: Looks from Erin Featherston’s Fall 2010 collection, courtesy of Style.com