Get ahead of the game and pick up some pastel Republic clothing and start introducing it to your wardrobe now. They’re perfect layered for those icy cold mornings where you get glorious sunshine and want to match your wardrobe with the weather.  Pastel jeans are an easy pick-me-up and a great way to brighten up your dull winter wardrobe. But remember they cover more than just baby pink, baby blue and mint green, there is a whole pallet of pastel shades out there which are a lot less childlike and work really well mixed together so be brave!

Mixing pastels with bold colours was seen on the catwalks presented by many designers such as Prada with their broderie anglaise working a super feminine look with fierce wet look hair. Or sports styles this is a popular trend which is worked in pastel shades as seen at Jonathan Saunders. And accessory wise who couldn’t miss Louis Vuitton’s crocodile-skin court shoes in lemon yellow finished off with a silver toe cap, two tone shoes are defiantly a must have!

Metallics were big for autumn/winter and moving on they become lighter and softer, the perfect way to add a girly sheen to any outfit even gym style clothing, which was seen at Alexander Wang and featured body-skimming tracksuits. Other designers getting in on this act also include Isabel Marant with chichi draw-string joggers and luxe silk-satin hoodies from Victoria Beckham.

Look out for sexy, shimmering sports styles filtering their way down to the highstreet with clothing from Vila, offering a fresh approach to t-shirts and vest tops. 

Other designers adding shimmering styles to their collections include Karl Lagerfeld who opted for a whole underwater shimmering fantasy for us all to feast our eyes on, plenty of ‘Iridescent ivory hues and pearlised finishes’ from him for Chanel and also from Christopher Kane. The perfect way to start the season: with light easy, breezy collections.

If you like this style then you can easily add pieces to your collection, for day wear look of for soft shades in peach, baby blue on pale yellow with shimmering metallic foil details. Eveningwear can be glammed up with bedazzled dresses and going out tops. Make sure you keep an eye out for glittery shoes, one sure fire way to add glitz to your look.

Flower Child Chic

As the crochet vest can be made to match with different outfits, you can mix and match it with different styles for either day or evening wear.  Throw a crochet fringe vest over super trendy rust jeans and a floral blouse or combine it with denim cut-offs and a plain t-shirt for a casual dressed-down look.  Take care to tone down the accessories, finishing off the crochet vest look with minimal jewellery like a few dainty necklaces and a simple bag.  For a truly hippie look, try pairing a crochet fringe vest with wide leg denim jeans, a paisley top and platforms – definitely eye-catching.

The light and super stylish crochet vest can be woven into both autumn and winter wardrobes.  The intricate crochet and fringe lend a vintage touch to an otherwise modern outfit and the open-at-front, loose fitting vest adds a Bohemian touch to your appearance.  Crochet fringe vests are available in almost every colour, with the delicate laciness of crochet lending itself to an endless variety of patterns.

Top designers are taking the crochet vest and incorporating it into next year’s spring collection as well, so there is no doubt that the crochet fringe vest is here to stay.  Grab these perky additions at rummage sales or, if you want the classier option, order them online from any of the major retailers.

A scarf is the perfect accessory to wear with a coat on a cold day.  Select a colour to complement the coat, for example a grey coat will look good with a scarf in purple and black hues.  A high-quality wool fabric will be warm, and a stripy design gives the perfect look.

Leather gloves in dark colours will complement a winter coat and accessories.  A lined glove gives added warmth on the coldest days, without compromising on style.

Winter sunglasses are here to stay, and dark polarised lenses with a stylish metal frame are versatile for work and play.  And finally, the wet-look is well and truly over; so do not forget an umbrella.  Select a lightweight, compact piece in a matching dark colour.

Top five must haves for a cool winter

Designers filled their catwalk shows with fabulous and mostly faux fur creations, Gucci opted for brighter colours such as purple, mustard, teal and berry red, whilst Donna Karen mixed it up with animal print. It was also seen added as finishing touches with YSL creating detachable fur hoods and plenty of other fur trims.

For the party season fur is really a must especially with  lovely, sparkly Republic party dresses, not only will it add a touch of glamour to your outfit (think old Hollywood), but also keep you warm in the freezing winter temperatures. There are a couple of ways you can go, you can go short and sweet with a cropped fur jacket or you can go for a more bohemian look with a loose fitted longer fur jacket or coat à la Olivia Palermo at London Fashion Week .

The great thing about fur jackets is that they are not just restricted for evening wear, a good fur coat or jacket will also work really well for day wear as well as keeping you snuggly and warm. You could go for a long fur coat or a jacket with a nice trim, depending on your style. Fur accessories are worth investing in too, such as hats or even headbands. Fur gloves not so much but a fur scarf or shawl, yes please.

And finally don’t forget fur trimmings for those who don’t want to go the whole hog!

Yellow and white outfits can make fair skin look even lighter, so if fair, steer clear of these.  Red and green colours can look great on those who have dark hair; while bright shades can make other hair tones stand out more.

Women with a dark skin tone can get away with light colours; so think white, green, yellow and pink and if possible they should avoid wearing dark colours.

If someone has an olive complexion then neutral coloured dresses are the way to go, making grey, black and brown ideal.  Red and blue may also work well. Plus don’t be afraid to make a statement with your dress, with some funky styles from Designerwear for Gio Goi.

Regarding body sizes, women with larger chests should not go for high necklines, as they can make the outfit look frumpy and accentuate the size.  Low cut dresses are much better and will enhance the more generous figure.  For those who wish to hide their tummy, empire line or flared designs can work well.  Adding a necklace or scarf can also distract from this area in order to bring focus to the upper half of an outfit. 

Black can also be a very flattering colour, as it helps to create a visual slimming effect to the eye, as well as looking elegant and classy.

Smaller chested women can get away with high necklines and long sleeves, but low necklines can also work, especially with a push up bra to add more shape and femininity.  Avoid going for dresses with large patterns or prints on as these can swamp the wearer.

Tres Chic: Fur and Leather

Gucci’s autumn and winter collections feature an adorable double-breasted coat with an overflowing fur collar, and an orchid hush melange wool and cashmere coat.  The Mongolian fur trimming makes a remarkable style statement.  Arguably one of the most coveted skirts in the celebrity wardrobe this season is the malachite green and deep teal patterned skirt.  The skirt is paired with a deep teal shadow fox fur jacket.  Cognac is the colour to make a girl look like a million dollars in a Gucci leather strapless dress.  The shadow fox fur line of wristlets, and collars in cherry and teal emphasise a stepping away from conventional theme colours to a rich bouquet to ring in the holiday season.

Gucci – A Tradition of Excellence

Gucci’s focus this season appears to break the traditional notions that bind leather and fur by producing a line of clothes and accessories that use colours and designs that set the runway on fire.

Gucci Autumn/Winter 2011/12

Top Shoe Trends

While on the colour scheme, it is good to know that bright hues are definitely not in vogue.  The trendiest colours to wear are black, grey, white, metallic shades, burgundy, dark blue and the all-time favourite, beige.  Winter shoes feature materials like reptile skin, suede and satin, with fur and lace being used to embellish many creations.

Reptile skin in particular was seen on a number of models who walked the catwalks this season, with designers opting for snake and crocodile skins for most of their creations.  Patent leather was another season favourite, in bold combinations like red and black or blue-burgundy.  Suede boots and high heels were also featured on a number of ensembles.

The laced-up look is very popular this season, being carried over from the spring/summer collection this year.  Spring’s delicate, feminine look has given way to a more aggressive look this autumn/winter, with bolder colours and longer lacing making a strong statement.

Buckles and chunky heels are hot, with designer collections featuring both in a number of styles.  Ever popular is the stiletto heel, made over in the darker colours of winter for a stylish look.  A new trend seen this season is wearing socks with shoes.  Although this makes for an elegant effect, socks can even be replaced by warm tights for a similar overall look.

Without the heat of summer, autumn’s shoe range can afford to be versatile.  Tassels, velvet, lace and satin all vie with one another to decorate shoes and sandals, and the sheer range of available options is breathtaking.  Pamper your feet this autumn with boots, sandals, flats, heels and stilettos.  Stock up this season and make your shoes a style statement!

Her debut collection will offer two T-shirts, two pairs of jeans, a black leather biker jacket and a bag. The designs on one of her t-shirts features an emblem that combines Rihanna’s ‘R’ logo with the Emporio Armani eagle whilst the other t-shirt which is baggier in fit will have an outline of the singer’s face over an animal print background.

There is also a similar mottled effect which is repeated on the canvas bucket-backpack which has an eco-leather trim and pendant charm in branded metal. The jeans which Rihanna also designed come in two cuts; skinny or Rihanna’s favourite – a ‘boyfriend’ style which has a tight leg.

Finally her lingerie collection is ultra-feminine, for everyday wear and comes in cobalt blue or pearl grey.

The collection by Rihanna for Armani is currently available nationwide.

Rihanna for Armani

Cosy and Chic

The poncho was very much in vogue during the sixties and seventies and is seeing a comeback this season.  Falling from the shoulders and stopping at the waist, hips or knees, the poncho can be worn with a variety of outfits.  Pair it with slim jeans or leggings for a casual look, or wear it with a turtleneck for a glamorous effect.  It might not be a good idea to wear a poncho with a skirt, unless the poncho is a short one ending at the waist.

Ponchos are available in a number of styles.  The best option would be to choose a tailored poncho in a neutral colour like camel that matches most of your wardrobe.  A sleek poncho such as one made of fur, creates an elegant look, adding texture to one’s outfit without the bulk.  Opt for patterns like plaid and checks and remember that the retro look, though popular in the seventies, is not very in-style this time around.  Last, use a minimum amount of accessories.  Let the poncho be the focal point of your outfit.  Accessories such as a hat and excessive jewellery may not provide the overall look that you are trying to achieve.

Another way to create an overall sleek look is to dress from head to toe in the same colour, allowing the colour of the poncho to decide the rest of the outfit.  Monochrome ponchos also serve to create the same look and are a better option than ponchos with bold prints.  The poncho is both easy to wear and a simple way of enhancing one’s outfit.  So put on a poncho this winter and warm up to this season’s fashion trend.

Ponchos