Depressed by the thought of grey skies, rainy days and slushy streets? Help is at hand with these cute and cosy angora mittens. Reminiscent of the home-spun mittens your granny made you at school, the string that holds them together is not only sweet but very practical too!

The bubble gum pink looks delightful contrasted with a winter wool coat in grey or black and Urban Outfitters offers plenty of options that will work wonderfully with them, whatever your style.

Sure to put a smile on your wind-beaten face this winter, the mittens are also available in pale grey for the less adventurous and retail at the reasonable sum of £16.00.  Get them before I do!

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The Colour Purple: regal, luxurious, jewel toned, and this season’s hottest hue.  Prince must be partying like it’s 1999! Purple is everywhere this winter, predominantly on the red carpet as celebrities have swapped their LBD for a little purple dress. Worn with black and gold accessories, it’s the perfect option for a Christmas party and widely available on the high street. 

Reiss and Jigsaw have the biggest selection and I particularly love their purple coats.  If you’re not sure you can handle that much colour, add drama to black with purple patent platforms, a wool beret, or satin gloves.

Celebrities such as Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, and Emmy Rossum love purple’s pulling power, while Carla Bruni and Michelle Obama rely on its royal, classy connotations.  Add something extra to your own wardrobe with these purple classics:

Mischa Barton is the latest to be seen sporting the classic bowler hat.  Update your look with this natty aubergine number.

Natalie Portman’s purple Lanvin has been interpreted to near-perfection with this considerably cheaper option available at asos.com

Moccassins are huge for AW08.  Channel your inner Serena Van der Woodsen with these knee high beauties.

For casual classics, make a one-stop shop at American Apparel, full to the brim with purple hoodies, dresses and leggings.

Need further convincing?  Listen to Gogol Bordello’s Start Wearing Purple!

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When the weather gets slightly warm and the sun begins to poke its head beyond those cumulus clouds, certain trends begin to shuttle in and out of your wardrobe, with the luckier garments finding their coveted spot in the dominion of the prior season. The tribal/safari look is one that definitely has top billing every spring.

Just Cavalli’s SS08 collection was an ode to the vibrant spectacle of African fashion while batik style prints garnished the wares of Givenchy’s SS07 line to inject the necessary pangs of tribalism for yet another spring season. However, normalcy so has it that once the weather takes a turn for a chillier fall encounter, the tide changes and safari inspired trends are on their last legs. Dashing ever so swiftly from the preying eye of public scrutiny, leopard print dresses greet the fall with an exit.

Well not this fall season. Fashion decree is not the be all and end all so, yes, you will be sighting the odd animal dotted trench prowling about this fall. Blumarine’s AW08 collection set the tone with a grandeur leopard print serving as cover for trenches, frocks and blouses. Even down to their accessories and chaussures, the markings of predatory creatures were no longer in penumbra for the fall. Truth be told, we found Ralph Lauren’s momentary sojourn into animal print in his SS09 line was a bit antiquated and stuffy—not our cup of tea. However, their berets strewn with ornamental feathers and their nimbly looking halfcalf sandal stilettos ($725 at Ralph Lauren) made for a pleasing assortment of accessories in the iconic pattern. And coincidence would so have it that InStyle acknowledged animal−print bags as a “sure bet for [this] fall, permitting you to flood the visual senses in entirety by accessorizing your extremities with a wilderness−like ambiance.

Now we’re not cajoling you to mimic the aesthetic of Blumarine’s head−to−toe embellishment of animal−print—that could potentially be disastrous and you’d have our heads for that. But as contemptuous as it may seem when overdone, animal−prints are fantabulous come winter, spring or fall. Yet the pattern’s overt loudness is partly the reason why the trend hasn’t ventured beyond the joie de vivre that cloaks summer fashions too often. When fall fashion hibernates from color, the mere sight of carroty hues topped with speckles of white, grey, and black can send a passerby into a sensory overload!

The roar of say leopard−print winter boots in the board room or a fashionably tame environ can be pretty imposing so do tailor your daring excursion into animal−prints with a personality check. What suits me? Unless your persona is chuck−full of panache and bravado, avoid entering a plateau of forced frivolity by outfitting yourself in animal−prints that are a far cry from your fashionable leanings. Coyly start out with a diminutive animal−printed clutch paired with a svelte black evening number and tribal−inspired jewelry to match. As confidence builds, then toy with some racy shoes (think the Ralph Lauren’s mentioned above), pants, or blouson tops and before you know it, you’ll be boldly gallivanting about town animal−prints in tow, impervious to and miles ahead of delayed critics.

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Until recently, I’d always associated mac’s with flashers and grannies.  Why? I’m not entirely sure.  Stereotypes aside, I’ve never actually been flashed, and my grandmother is unusually stylish for her age. My preconceived mac-shaped notions were finally quashed on a trip last week to a local charity shop, where I found and fell in love with my very own mac. 

Intrigued by the mac’s apparent ability to make every outfit seem more chic, I decided to give the tried and tested favourite a whirl.  And what a pleasant surprise I was in for!  Not only is it the perfect companion for these increasingly autumnal days, it goes with everything and has a chameleon like quality depending on how you wear it. 

Having chosen a classic style, I prefer to leave mine unbuttoned and fasten the coat with the belt in a tight, decisive knot.  The possibilities, however, are endless…

If you want to invest in a mac that will stand the test of time, your best bet may be a Burberry trench.  Whether you go for the traditional Burberry tartan lined raincoat (as seen top on Holly Golightly fan Blair Waldorf), or for one of their many modern Prorsum reincarnations (see the tiered trench above) - you can’t go wrong.  If a new Burberry is a little (or in my case, a lot) out of your price range, you’ll find second-hand at many of the larger vintage stores in London. 

For something cheap and cheerful, Topshop‘s powder pink trench is sweet and sassy.  While at H&M a tulip skirt and cropped sleeves bring the mac up to date for AW08.  If it’s personality you require look no further than All Saint’s wonderful ‘Galia‘ Mac (above).  A clever take on the classic mac design, the Galia is a deconstructed version sure to become an instant sell-out when it reaches stores next week.

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We all listened when we heard Nancy Sinatra proclaim that ’these boots are made for walking’, but that does not mean to say that we are going to be wearing any walking boots. No Sir, not if Gucci have anything to do with it.

The A/Wo8 footwear collection at Gucci is a 4.1” heeled, boot heaven and this year they have undoubtedly led the high street with their statement style, yet wearable designs.

The luxurious Russian Folklore theme which was explored through the detailed prints and bohemian embroidery down Gucci’s catwalk, is echoed in the tassled designs of the Devendra ankle booties which boast traditional Gucci crest ornaments from the fringed suede.

Furthermore, the inspired just-below-the-knee Babouska boots (though slightly too riddled with gold for my wearing), set off the Gucci fur coat and skinny trousers to perfection.

 
And how about the much sought after over-the-knee, low-heeled Devendra riding boot, perfect for those cold and rainy runaround days..?

The choice is endless. Of course, at over (and in many cases, lots over), $1000, we can’t all afford to go nabbing these babies. If – like us – however you are pining for your very own Devendra flats, head to Russell and Bromley where you can find an imitation suede design (complete with extensively long tassles) for £275.

www.gucci.com

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The nights are drawing in and the days are getting colder, yes ladies it’s time to start pulling your winter wardrobe forward from the recesses of the cupboard. Personally I’ve always been a winter person, and my wardrobe certainly reflects this, in fact I often find myself counting down the weeks until I can pull out my Dior duffle coat, Burberry earmuffs and Louboutin knee high-boots again (it’s not long now – hooray!).

For me winter fashion has always been more sophisticated and stylish than its summer counterpart, you can take more time with the details knowing that you’re not going to end up sweltering under the summer sun in your pencil skirt, make up running down your face with your hair scraped up as high as possible for some extra breeze across your neck. It’s more about the glamorous polished look, dramatic red lips, figure-hugging coat dresses and immaculately coiffed hair.

As a bit of a ski bunny I’ve always been a fan of Moncler, and this season is no different. With their functional yet oh-so-stylish designs which are instantly recognisable, forget the egg-nog latte ladies, as a Moncler coat is the true perfect winter warmer. I’m lusting after this show-stopping shiny nylon jacket which comes with a belt allowing you to retain your curves while keeping cosy.

Need another reason to buy? Their pieces are definitely built to last and your £365 will be well spent as you’ll be seen through many a winter in style.

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I practice under the ‘the bigger, the better’ accessory philosophy. If it isn’t adding at least six pounds, I just don’t want to know. Especially when it comes to necklaces. But I have to admit, it’s starting to become a health hazard. Not just for me, but the poor person standing next to me when I excitedly swing myself , necklace following suit , to talk to them.

So imagine my surprise as I was pouring over the a/w catwalks to see the return of the bow tie? It doesn’t sound as chic as an art deco-inspired chain, but it still packs a whimsical, fairytale punch!

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