Wardrobe update
catwalk,christopher kane,backstage
Backstage at Christopher Kane
By Tracey Lea Sayer
Psych yourself up for the new season. Follow our guide for an instant wardrobe update
Image: Leather at Christopher Kane, autumn/winter 2007
Hot pink
Stella McCartney,trend,catwalk
Stella McCartney, catwalk
Every season there\'s a new colour that catches the zeitgeist, and this autumn/winter is no exception. Hot pink screamed its way down the catwalk at Dior, Stella McCartney, Lanvin and Paul Smith. Lipstick shades of fuchsia, neon and puce may not be for the faint-hearted, but they will certainly brighten up a grey day. Wear a hot-pink dress with black opaques and scraped-back hair. Modern and bold - try it, you might just like it
Image: Hot pink at Stella McCartney, autumn/winter 2007
The kimono coat
coat,trend,catwalk
Yves Saint Laurent coat
Coats are making a real statement this autumn/winter. Step forward the kimono coat. Stefano Pilati\'s beautiful collection for Yves Saint Laurent perfectly captured the new softness in tailoring. Rounded shoulders, warm, textured fabrics and soft, muted colours are all perfect to update your wardrobe and take you through to autumn/winter
Image: The kimono coat at Yves Saint Laurent, autumn/winter 2007
Oversized knitwear
Stella McCartney,catwalk,knitwear
Stella McCartney, catwalk
Stella McCartney\'s oversized cardi is high on my list of autumn/winter buys. It is not only my favourite colour - grey - but it is boyish, boxy and bad (ie, good). There is something about a slouchy cardi or an oversized jumper that is instantly comforting. The cardi is finally cool. I can die a happy lady
Image: Oversized, boyish knits at Stella McCartney, autumn/winter 2007
Grown-up glamour
Gucci,gown,catwalk
Gucci, catwalk
Sexy sirens of the silver screen inspired the Italians at Milan Fashion Week. Gucci\'s vampish long black gowns were cinched at the waist with ornate belts, while Roberto Cavalli\'s high-voltage numbers were very Studio 54. So - long is OK again for evening? What a relief after a season of spray-on micro-minis. Only Posh Spice will be crying into her cocktail
Image: Gucci floor-skimming gown, autumn/winter 2007
Ladylike
ladylike,Marc Jacobs,catwalk
Marc Jacobs, catwalk
Ladies always know how to dress. Silky blouses, wide-leg trousers and pencil skirts re-emerged for autumn; add matching accessories into the mix and your ladylike look is complete. Hats, neckscarves and gloves all finished off the elegant image at Marc Jacobs. Try adding these accessories to your high-street buys for an instant wardrobe update
Image: Ladylike tailoring at Marc Jacobs, autumn/winter 2007
Quilting
ungaro,quilting,catwalk
Ungaro, catwalk
Padded jackets are the season\'s answer to the weekend coat. Puffa-style jackets in shiny nylons and luxurious silks were seen at Burberry, Emanuel Ungaro and MaxMara. The key to pulling them off is to clasp in long coats at the waist and to wear shorter jackets with skinny bottoms
Image: Quilted jackets at Emanuel Ungaro, autumn/winter 2007
Leather
leather,catwalk,christopher kane
Christopher Kane, catwalk
Leather is a tricky one. This season it has been updated and is finally on the right side of cool. Christopher Kane\'s sharp leather dresses and Burberry\'s muted leather macs have upped leather in the style stakes. Every so often something that has been bad becomes good again. Try letting your inner biker chick out - she might be born to be wild
Image: Christopher Kane leather dress, autumn/winter 2007
All in the detail
catwalk,chloe
Chloé, catwalk
Dresses embellished to within an inch of their lives marched down the runways. Paulo Melim Andersson\'s first collection for Chloé saw gorgeous shifts that were decorated with jewels and giant sequins. Alberta Ferretti, Marios Schwab and Nicole Farhi all followed suit with beautiful dresses. The key to carrying off this look is to keep the shape of the dress as simple as possible and let the bling sing
Image: Fine detailing at Chloé, autumn/winter 2007
The midi-pencil skirt
skirt,louis vuitton,catwalk
Louis Vuitton, catwalk
The only skirt to invest in this season is straight and should fall below the knee. Chloé, Louis Vuitton and Topshop Unique all dropped their hems a few inches, which is a relief after a season of micro-minis. Remember to give yourself a waistline with this look - it\'s all about the hourglass
Image: Midi-pencil skirts at Louis Vuitton, autumn/winter 2007
The tux jacket
tuxedo,catwalk,d&g
D&G catwalk
The tux is the perfect solution for day to night. It never dates, has a rock \'n\' roll vibe and is sexy as hell. It ticks all the right boxes. Wear it with jeans and ankle boots for an androgynous look or over a cocktail dress with killer heels and become a femme fatale for the night
Image: Tuxedo chic at D&G, autumn/winter 2007
