French boudoir:
Sheer blouses, voluminous ruffles, silk and a touch of lace. Enter a palette of black and nude and you’re channelling Valentino. French boudoir is not so sweet this season.
Toughen up a nude, sheer blouse with a leather skirt and a chunky gold cuff and don’t forget to add some killer heels. For after-dark glam, try a silk and lace dress in a muted tone such as salmon with black lace detailing.
Work this trend in the office by tucking a black or sheer lace blouse into a high-waisted, black skirt or trousers. If choosing the skirt, team with sheer stockings, and wedged ankle boots, both which were really popular on the A/W 09/10 catwalks.
Into the wild:
Whether you love it or hate it, animal prints are crawling into fashion store and they’re here to stay. Animal prints don’t always mean trashy.
As snake-skin bag, or leopard print heels gives the perfect ‘oomph’ to your outfit without going overboard.
Want something bolder? A belted leopard skin dress, like that at the DKNY Winter 09 collection channels class. A soft leopard cardigan also works well as a statement piece teamed with skinny jeans and heels.
Just don’t wear your animal print jacket and dress, and scarf all at once!
Tip: Toughen up your look with cool accessories, including studded clutches, studded belts, hard-wear embellished ankle boots, crystal encrusted stilettos, or a chunky diamante necklace.
Leather:
Leather has Milan written all over it but doesn’t just stop with a leather jacket. As seen at Gucci, leather reigned in the form of rocker leather tights, bold mini dresses, and full leather outfits.
A cropped leather jacket toughens up a velvet or silk dress, as do patent leather heels to your LBD.
Black leather tights are another good investment.
Soften your look with a printed wool tunic, or a soft, draped jacket.
The new blazer:
It’s not quite an ’80s revival but it’s safe to say that shoulders are ‘huge’ this winter.
Strong shoulder blazers are great for both work and play but ensure that you team with a simple top and sleek bottoms to balance the look.
For the office they work well with tailored pants, or for a casual look, team with a white tee and skinny jeans or rocket leather tights.
For a spin on the classic blazer, try strong shoulders in black satin.
Heavy metal:
Bring on night-time glam with beading, metallics, crystals and sequins!
No I’m not talking children’s creative jewellery sets; this look is inspired by tough women with attitude.
A diamante encrusted mini skirt works well with a white tee.
This trend also works well for fine detailing.
Take some inspiration from Balmain’s A/W 09/10 collection and try a strong shoulder blazer with crystal detailing.
Another combination that works well is an asymmetrical black dress with encrusted diamantes on the dress shoulder- a chic spin on the classic LBD.
