A is for... animal magnetism
This season is all about feline prints.
Leopard spots prowled the autumn collection catwalks of Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Moschino, marking their territory on every thing from dresses and coats to handbags and shoes.
They are more wearable than you might imagine, but if you don't have the confidence to emulate the catwalk's all-over look, stick to one animal print item per outfit.
B is for... brocade
Don't let your grandmother's penchant for brocade curtains put you off. This is one of the most unexpectedly glamorous trends this season and oozes luxury.
Featured heavily by Christophe Decarnin, designer du jour, on the Balmain catwalks, you just know this trend is going to take off.
Wear in muted tones by day, but vamp it up with metallic threads by night. Granny's home decor will never look the same!
C is for... camel
Inspiring many designers, the humble camel has supplied the colour for winter. Exuding elegance and chic, the colour is best worn in luxurious fabrics.
Opt for coats and trousers in cashmere, wool and suede. Tipped as the item of the season, a camel coat is an investment worth making.
D is for... dramatic accessories
If you can't get to grips with the melodrama of the season - there's lashings of leather, ornate prints and vampy make-up - accessories can inject a little theatricality.
Leather gloves, retro secretary spectacles and bowler hats all work.
But if you're after the wow factor pay tribute to the fantastical head pieces seen at Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier with an overthetop piece of your own.
Crowns and tiaras of any size, shape and colour will work.
E is for... easy rider
Bikers have been subtly influencing fashion for some time. Levi's brought grungy biker boots to the fashion-conscious in the early Nineties, while Kate Moss, famous for kick-starting trends, has been a huge fan for years.
Now, the biker look has gone full throttle - from leather trousers to quilted jackets a la Peter Fonda in Easy Rider.
Accessorise with a Harley. Failing that, pile on the attitude.
F is for... figure-hugging fashion
Apparently, it's time to grow up. Not convinced? You will be when you see how fashion has interpreted grown-up minimalism. Simple, elegant and chic, minimalism is all about clean lines, unfussy designs, great fabrics and effortlessness.
They may not be instant attention-grabbers, but these clothes are cut so well they can't help but make you look chic. Remember, less is more.
G is for... golden touch
Recession? Double-dip? We think not. Designers clearly have faith in the economy and are once again indulging in opulence.
So throw caution to the wind and spoil yourself with a metallic, lamé or sequined number and party the night away.
H is for... Highland fling
Doesn't it sound like fun? Designers such as Pringle of Scotland and Marc Jacobs pay tribute to the great outdoors with check , plaid, tweed, corduroy and mohair.
Topping the list are Highland-inspired kilts. Yes, you can get away with it, but be wary of length - the school-girl mini is not a good look. Team with grungy calf-length boots for day and glitzy ankle boots by night.
I is for... ice cool
Forget brash, brightly coloured plastic bangles, this season's jewellery is cool and muted - much like the weather.
Think frosted pearls and clear crystals. The High Street is doing great affordable versions. Soften the look with chunky knits.
J is for... jewelled embellishments
How do you bite back at an economic crisis? Why, stick jewels on everything, of course. From handbags to shoes and dresses to cardigans, adding a bit of bling gives an instant boost to any item.
You can even do it yourself, but if you don't have time, just buy these..
K is for... kitten heels
Fashion. Fickle? Never!
But yes, it came as quite a surprise to us all when kitten heels, the previous epitome of un-cool, were given a new lease of life last season and then continued to be popular for autumn/ winter - Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs are just some of the designers backing the trend.
If comfort is high on your agenda, these are the shoes for you.
L is for... low hemlines
Shock, horror! The mini-skirt is out. Those wi th a dislike of barely-there hemlines will be pleased to hear that longer lengths are back.
Floor-sweeping skirts and maxi dresses are leading the way this season. Wear with a belted knit for a totally on-trend finish.
M is for... masculine tailoring
Fed up with hard-to-wear harem pants? It is about time they got the heave-ho.
This season, trousers are going back to basics. High-waisted and wide-legged, they are naturally leg-lengthening, ever so smart and eternally classic.
Perfect for office and play, they are a must for every wardrobe.
N is for... nostalgia
Calling all Charlie's Angels fans, the Seventies are back! But before you cower in horror, you can pick how far you want to follow it.
For the nervous, invest in a simple, vintage school-style satchel, for the girly, go for a widebrimmed hat and, for the brave, try clogs and platform shoes.
O is for... over-the-knee boots
Seen on the Burberry catwalk, this is definitely a trend only for the daring. Stick to dark colours and don't spend a fortune on a pair.
My top tip? Play down the rest of your outfit to avoid attracting the wrong kind of attention.
P is for... prim and proper
Perhaps it is a backlash against the current ladette culture. Or maybe the ever-growing obsession with TV's Mad Men, but this season there is a definite fascination with Fifties femininity, elegance and grace.
Think nipped-in waists, full skirts, twin sets and afternoon tea. Betty Draper would be proud.
Q is for... quilting
Quilted fabrics are the epitome of comfort. And since fashion is embracing the great outdoors this season, quilted jackets and gilets are back.
Take a leaf out of Gianfranco Ferre's book and don a quilted fur coat or go down the literal route, like Louise Gray who used an actual quilted blanket. If that sounds extreme, a simple Barbour jacket will suffice.
R is for... romantic lace
Girly girls will be thrilled by this season's love affair with lace. Miu Miu went for pretty in pink, while Antonio Berardi tried downright revealing. Go mad with as much of the fabric as you want, but if you're a little shy try these Topshop booties to kick-start the trend.
S is for... shearling jackets
Shearling jackets are a winter wardrobe essential. Paying homage to the world of Aviation and Tom Cruise in his Top Gun days, they are not only perfect for all occasions, but will keep you feeling cosy all winter long. Wear with a skirt and sturdy boots by day and a glitzy dress come night.
T is for... trekking in style
OK, so not actual trekking. Why would you want a pair of real hiking boots when you can totter around in a pair of heeled ones?
This is fashion and fashion favours the absurd... and what's more bizarre than heeled hiking boots?
But then again, they are quite fabulous.
U is for... under wraps
There are no surprises here; winter always brings knitwear. This season they come to you in a refreshingly comfortable form: oversized, chunky, long and layered. Jumper dresses, wraps, Nordic knits, snoods and cardigans can be worn as separates or all together. There's no way you'll be cold this winter.
V is for... velvet
Remember the Eighties when crushed velvet was all the rage? There is a reason why it was called 'the decade style forgot'.
Well, this season, the masterminds at Givenchy, PPQ and Marios Schwab have given it a whole new lease of life.
Unexpectedly glam.
W is for... wings
The cape. No, not the comic superhero kind; the ultra- chic fashion type.
Avoid latex and snap up a sumptuous woollen cape for ultimate style cred this season. With the added bonus that they are incredibly cosy and comfortable, there's no way you can lose. Sidekick optional.
X is for... extra strong colour
Designers must have been determined to have fun this season because they've gone totally off-piste.
Forget your normal autumnal navy, grey and black, it's now all extra strong colour - and the brighter, the better.
Wear as colour blocks or contrast differing shades of the same colour to nail the look. Here's hoping we've found the antidote to the dreaded winter blues.
Y is for... Yeti chic
Karl Lagerfeld may have taken things a bit far when he sent his model s down the Chanel catwalk dressed head to toe in faux fur - you really don't need to leave your house looking like a throwback from the Ice Ages.
Instead, add a touch of faux fur to your repertoire, whether it be a coat, a gilet, a pair of fur-covered boots or a bag and you will soon find that looking cool this season will keep you surprisingly warm.
Z is for... zany prints
Just when you think you have got the hang of the simplicity of the season, we throw a spanner in the works.
Floral, geometric, abstract ... prints are big business this winter - and the crazier the better.
Clash your patterns and contrast your colours but be sure to take a long, hard look in the mirror before leaving the house.
This season is all about feline prints.
Leopard spots prowled the autumn collection catwalks of Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Moschino, marking their territory on every thing from dresses and coats to handbags and shoes.
They are more wearable than you might imagine, but if you don't have the confidence to emulate the catwalk's all-over look, stick to one animal print item per outfit.
B is for... brocade
Don't let your grandmother's penchant for brocade curtains put you off. This is one of the most unexpectedly glamorous trends this season and oozes luxury.
Featured heavily by Christophe Decarnin, designer du jour, on the Balmain catwalks, you just know this trend is going to take off.
Wear in muted tones by day, but vamp it up with metallic threads by night. Granny's home decor will never look the same!
C is for... camel
Inspiring many designers, the humble camel has supplied the colour for winter. Exuding elegance and chic, the colour is best worn in luxurious fabrics.
Opt for coats and trousers in cashmere, wool and suede. Tipped as the item of the season, a camel coat is an investment worth making.
D is for... dramatic accessories
If you can't get to grips with the melodrama of the season - there's lashings of leather, ornate prints and vampy make-up - accessories can inject a little theatricality.
Leather gloves, retro secretary spectacles and bowler hats all work.
But if you're after the wow factor pay tribute to the fantastical head pieces seen at Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier with an overthetop piece of your own.
Crowns and tiaras of any size, shape and colour will work.
E is for... easy rider
Bikers have been subtly influencing fashion for some time. Levi's brought grungy biker boots to the fashion-conscious in the early Nineties, while Kate Moss, famous for kick-starting trends, has been a huge fan for years.
Now, the biker look has gone full throttle - from leather trousers to quilted jackets a la Peter Fonda in Easy Rider.
Accessorise with a Harley. Failing that, pile on the attitude.
F is for... figure-hugging fashion
Apparently, it's time to grow up. Not convinced? You will be when you see how fashion has interpreted grown-up minimalism. Simple, elegant and chic, minimalism is all about clean lines, unfussy designs, great fabrics and effortlessness.
They may not be instant attention-grabbers, but these clothes are cut so well they can't help but make you look chic. Remember, less is more.
G is for... golden touch
Recession? Double-dip? We think not. Designers clearly have faith in the economy and are once again indulging in opulence.
So throw caution to the wind and spoil yourself with a metallic, lamé or sequined number and party the night away.
H is for... Highland fling
Doesn't it sound like fun? Designers such as Pringle of Scotland and Marc Jacobs pay tribute to the great outdoors with check , plaid, tweed, corduroy and mohair.
Topping the list are Highland-inspired kilts. Yes, you can get away with it, but be wary of length - the school-girl mini is not a good look. Team with grungy calf-length boots for day and glitzy ankle boots by night.
I is for... ice cool
Forget brash, brightly coloured plastic bangles, this season's jewellery is cool and muted - much like the weather.
Think frosted pearls and clear crystals. The High Street is doing great affordable versions. Soften the look with chunky knits.
J is for... jewelled embellishments
How do you bite back at an economic crisis? Why, stick jewels on everything, of course. From handbags to shoes and dresses to cardigans, adding a bit of bling gives an instant boost to any item.
You can even do it yourself, but if you don't have time, just buy these..
K is for... kitten heels
Fashion. Fickle? Never!
But yes, it came as quite a surprise to us all when kitten heels, the previous epitome of un-cool, were given a new lease of life last season and then continued to be popular for autumn/ winter - Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs are just some of the designers backing the trend.
If comfort is high on your agenda, these are the shoes for you.
L is for... low hemlines
Shock, horror! The mini-skirt is out. Those wi th a dislike of barely-there hemlines will be pleased to hear that longer lengths are back.
Floor-sweeping skirts and maxi dresses are leading the way this season. Wear with a belted knit for a totally on-trend finish.
M is for... masculine tailoring
Fed up with hard-to-wear harem pants? It is about time they got the heave-ho.
This season, trousers are going back to basics. High-waisted and wide-legged, they are naturally leg-lengthening, ever so smart and eternally classic.
Perfect for office and play, they are a must for every wardrobe.
N is for... nostalgia
Calling all Charlie's Angels fans, the Seventies are back! But before you cower in horror, you can pick how far you want to follow it.
For the nervous, invest in a simple, vintage school-style satchel, for the girly, go for a widebrimmed hat and, for the brave, try clogs and platform shoes.
O is for... over-the-knee boots
Seen on the Burberry catwalk, this is definitely a trend only for the daring. Stick to dark colours and don't spend a fortune on a pair.
My top tip? Play down the rest of your outfit to avoid attracting the wrong kind of attention.
P is for... prim and proper
Perhaps it is a backlash against the current ladette culture. Or maybe the ever-growing obsession with TV's Mad Men, but this season there is a definite fascination with Fifties femininity, elegance and grace.
Think nipped-in waists, full skirts, twin sets and afternoon tea. Betty Draper would be proud.
Q is for... quilting
Quilted fabrics are the epitome of comfort. And since fashion is embracing the great outdoors this season, quilted jackets and gilets are back.
Take a leaf out of Gianfranco Ferre's book and don a quilted fur coat or go down the literal route, like Louise Gray who used an actual quilted blanket. If that sounds extreme, a simple Barbour jacket will suffice.
R is for... romantic lace
Girly girls will be thrilled by this season's love affair with lace. Miu Miu went for pretty in pink, while Antonio Berardi tried downright revealing. Go mad with as much of the fabric as you want, but if you're a little shy try these Topshop booties to kick-start the trend.
S is for... shearling jackets
Shearling jackets are a winter wardrobe essential. Paying homage to the world of Aviation and Tom Cruise in his Top Gun days, they are not only perfect for all occasions, but will keep you feeling cosy all winter long. Wear with a skirt and sturdy boots by day and a glitzy dress come night.
T is for... trekking in style
OK, so not actual trekking. Why would you want a pair of real hiking boots when you can totter around in a pair of heeled ones?
This is fashion and fashion favours the absurd... and what's more bizarre than heeled hiking boots?
But then again, they are quite fabulous.
U is for... under wraps
There are no surprises here; winter always brings knitwear. This season they come to you in a refreshingly comfortable form: oversized, chunky, long and layered. Jumper dresses, wraps, Nordic knits, snoods and cardigans can be worn as separates or all together. There's no way you'll be cold this winter.
V is for... velvet
Remember the Eighties when crushed velvet was all the rage? There is a reason why it was called 'the decade style forgot'.
Well, this season, the masterminds at Givenchy, PPQ and Marios Schwab have given it a whole new lease of life.
Unexpectedly glam.
W is for... wings
The cape. No, not the comic superhero kind; the ultra- chic fashion type.
Avoid latex and snap up a sumptuous woollen cape for ultimate style cred this season. With the added bonus that they are incredibly cosy and comfortable, there's no way you can lose. Sidekick optional.
X is for... extra strong colour
Designers must have been determined to have fun this season because they've gone totally off-piste.
Forget your normal autumnal navy, grey and black, it's now all extra strong colour - and the brighter, the better.
Wear as colour blocks or contrast differing shades of the same colour to nail the look. Here's hoping we've found the antidote to the dreaded winter blues.
Y is for... Yeti chic
Karl Lagerfeld may have taken things a bit far when he sent his model s down the Chanel catwalk dressed head to toe in faux fur - you really don't need to leave your house looking like a throwback from the Ice Ages.
Instead, add a touch of faux fur to your repertoire, whether it be a coat, a gilet, a pair of fur-covered boots or a bag and you will soon find that looking cool this season will keep you surprisingly warm.
Z is for... zany prints
Just when you think you have got the hang of the simplicity of the season, we throw a spanner in the works.
Floral, geometric, abstract ... prints are big business this winter - and the crazier the better.
Clash your patterns and contrast your colours but be sure to take a long, hard look in the mirror before leaving the house.
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