Q & A

For semi-precious earrings with a good size drop and necessary ‘bling' factor, try Pascal (www.pascal-jewellery.com) whose prices range from £495 - £685. Claudia Martin (claudiamartinjewellery.com) designs lovely bespoke pieces to order and Kiki McDonough is great if you're looking for a specialist item. I would definitely check out Missoma (www.missoma.com) for a great selection of gold plated pieces within budget. 

Gaia Geddes, Executive Fashion & Jewellery Editor

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fashion advice | jewellery | missoma

No! Skinny jeans are far too popular - it's true that they're no longer a ‘fad' - and with some great high street options available they've become more of a staple that anyone can wear. Try J Brand at Topshop or look out for Acne's upcoming collaboration with Lanvin for SS08.

Dee Walsh, Contributing Fashion Assistant

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acne | Autumn Winter 2008/09 | jeans | lanvin

I would never suggest wearing all-over lace for work - it's definitely more of a night time look. For daytime you can get away with subtle lace detailing however - wear in the panelling of a jacket or dress for a great new season working look - also great for when you're out and about at events.

Emily Thin, Fashion Assistant

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Autumn Winter 2008/09 | lace

New season costume jewellery is definitly my must-have autumn accessory. It's great for transforming a simple black dress from day to evening - with minimum effort. On the catwalk Balenciaga, Tom Binns and especially Prada with their faux jewels on cloth all had great statement pieces. 

Nathalie Riddle, Junior Fashion Editor

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accessories | jewellery

Ankle length trousers are a great new season staple. Keep warm by wearing with a pair of ankle boots - YSL and Alaia have a great selection for autumn. It's probably best to avoid wearing tights with them however, to minimise unwanted static friction!

Vanessa Coyle, Senior Fashion Editor

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Autumn Winter 2008/09 | trousers

The thought of trawling shops mid summer to find an urgent dream outfit, makes even the most stalwart fashionista weak at the knees. Which is where the luxury internet sites prove their worth, shop from the calm of your home and have your purchase delivered the next day (or even the same day in some cases). Try Matches Fashion or Net-a-Porter for the best designer options, ranging from Donna Karen's elegant silhouettes to colourful summery designs from Matthew Williamson. Since both have recently started their summer sales perhaps leaving your shopping until the last moment wasn't such a bad thing...

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fashion advice | Matches | shopping

Brights are indeed a major player for Spring Summer.  Versace, Lanvin and YSL all had glorious splashes of colour on the catwalk; yellow, emerald green, cobalt blue and fuchsia seemed the hues of choice.  However, if you want to invest in some coloured pieces, accessories are the most obvious. The bolder the better, bags should be large and slouchy, shoes should be high and patent.  The best way to coordinate a coloured look  is to limit it to two colours. By day, a neutral toned outfit will be jazzed up by a big coloured slouchy bag and tan shoes, or add tan or natural snakeskin accessories to a bright outfit, more than that and you will look like an 80's throwback.  Evening is when too much colour is more of a plus than at any other time.  Again stick to two colours but this time leave neutrals well alone - match a red dress and bag and add a splash of fuchsia in the shoes.  Contrasting colours here are best - you will certainly stand out from the crowd, but for all the right reasons.

Gaia Geddes, Executive Fashion & Jewellery Editor

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lanvin | versace | YSL

City shorts are still around for summer although the more directional shorts shapes this year are more 70s in silhouette. Add heels and some layered sporty racer vests to your old shorts and they will look fine or pair them with a more on-trend top such as a floral top from Balenciaga or Thakoon.

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Balenciaga | fashion advice

It's all about proportion. Longer blazers - like the ones shown on Stella McCartney's spring catwalk - look better with short dresses or trousers. But they can work with a pencil skirt too - you just need to find the right length and the taller you are the easier it will be to carry it off.

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blazer | fashion advice | pencil skirt

Marc Jacobs always has one of the best turnouts for his shows. This season (A/W 08) everyone from Carine Roitfeld to Debbie Harry and Victoria Beckham attended the show. But it was Selma Blair (sitting next to Victoria Beckham) who really shone in a black embellished dress, jewelled heels and a snakeskin clutch.  The launch of the new Halston collection was also one of the hottest tickets for A/W 08. Celebrities young and old came together in homage (and hopeful expectation) of a master and an iconic label. Liza Minnelli was spotted whooping and cheering in the front row wearing (you guessed it) a vintage pillar-box red Halston dress. Sitting alongside her was the movie mogul, Harvey Weinstein and the ever elegant Georgina Chapman, wearing Marchesa. New York always has a good turnout of well-dressed, polished celebs and this season was no exception.

Watch the Halston show here 

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fashion advice | halston | Marc Jacobs | Spring/Summer 2008