Hello new season style! (From Halesowen News)

Hello new season style!

7:00am Saturday 15th September 2012 in NewsXtra

Tap into the latest looks for autumn. Lisa Haynes rounds up the coolest trends for the upcoming season.

 

Our spring/summer wardrobes barely got an airing but, good news for those who calculate cost-per-wear, autumn is already upon us.

This is the season that really delivers on value thanks to the British climate. Unlike the shorts and sandals we've barely worn, a winter coat and ankle boots are often sported on a daily basis.

So wrap up warm with the hottest shapes, colours and prints of the season. Whether you're a country girl or city sister, there's a trend to suit every wardrobe.

These fresh looks give chilly days and dark nights major appeal.

Gothic blooms

Style greenhouses have been working overtime for autumn. The print typically associated with summer has been extended to this season with a moodier, darker edge. Avoid pretty pastels and pale backdrops, these winter blooms thrive with a gothic colour palette. Rich reds, pink and purple florals looks dramatic and seductive set against black or blue. Cultivate your wardrobe with feminine silhouettes like dresses, skirts and tops or give your look extra edge with trousers and blazers.

Military moment

Stand to attention, military is having a moment. Do away with London guard-style visions of bright red and brassy buttons, this season's trend is an army-inspired palette of khaki, brown and black. If camouflage jackets are a step too far, try a sleek winter coat with double breasted button fastenings. Stay muted for daytime and add flashes of metallics for evening to give this utilitarian look added luxe factor.

Purple reign

Look to the Quality Street favourite for inspiration, purple is the colour of the season. Bold shades of indigo, amethyst and violet ruled the autumn/winter catwalks. Wear top-to-toe for an extreme look or pick out one statement piece like a winter coat or dress to pack a purple punch. If the colour feels too bold, turn down the tone with more of an autumnal berry shade or experiment with accessories. A bright purple clutch or shoes will transform a tired LBD for party season.

Country bumpkin

Form a countryside alliance with this season's rural fashion trend. Look to your grandfather's closet for a steer on the Downton Abbey direction; all heritage tweeds, plaids and checks in an earthy colour palette. There are various ways to work the look, ranging from Horse & Hound equestrian to Town & Country chic. Just add corduroy, chunky knits, an all-weather coat and basset hound to complete the look.

Leather love

Not just for jackets, leather dominates entire wardrobes this season. Dresses, tops, skirts and trousers - nothing has escaped the glossy leather takeover. Classic black will deliver gothic glamour but if you want something softer, try berry shades of plum or burgundy to stand out from the traditionalists. Keep the silhouette clean and powerful - this material takes no prisoners when it comes to excess fuss and accessories.

Baroque belles

Minimalists, take cover. The baroque trend is all about extreme adornment, luxury accessories and lavish details. Think gem-encrusted collars, metallic brocades and lavish embroidery that wouldn't look out of place in The Queen's wardrobe. Try mixing up fabrics and finishes to keep the look modern but stay within the same colour palette to avoid any costume dramas. If you're considering accessories, think deliciously decadent, never dainty.

Get the look

Kelly Brook shines at the GQ Awards in her designer Rachel Gilbert embellished dress. Sparkle for a fraction of the price with Topshop's sequin stripe shift dress, £75 (www.topshop.com).

Buy it now

Autumn's almost arrived so it's time to become reacquainted with hosiery. Make the cover-up process more fun with Fashion Week-favourite Giles Deacon's new Gold collection of eye-catching tights, available from September 7, priced £7.99 each.

Fashion flash

:: Fashion fix

Seems sewing lessons might be in order... Under 30s are the biggest culprits of 'throwaway fashion', preferring to splurge on new items rather than mend old clothing. The art of fixing damaged clothing appears to be dying out with less than one in 10 (9%) of men and women under 30 admitting to repairing items, according to a MyVoucherCodes.co.uk study. In contrast, a third (32%) of those aged between 30-50 claimed they fix clothing themselves, with figures rising to 55% for those over the age of 50.

:: Recessionista alert

Tired old suit in the wardrobe? Bring any unwanted suit into a Mind charity shop or Austin Reed store and receive a £50 Austin Reed suit voucher throughout September. The Suit Swap campaign culminates in a celebrity auction where you can bid for Plan B's suit alongside other donated celebrity suits, with proceeds going to the mental health charity. Visit www.austinreed.co.uk or www.mind.org.uk for more details.