HRH CHIC

Tartan, tweed, headscarves, wellies . . . so many of this season’s key items pay homage to the Queen that we can forgive Dolce & Gabbana for giving in to temptation for the autumn/ winter show. In fact, all that was missing from their catwalk were the corgis. “There’s no escaping the fact that this is going to make you look frumpy,” says Style’s fashion features director, Claudia Croft. “Only the very young and very beautiful can get away with it in full, but the rest of us can take elements and make them work.” She suggests teaming a vintage Hèrmes headscarf with a body-con minidress, or a pussycat-bow blouse with skinny jeans and skyscraper heels.

SUPERSHORT FROCKS

Aka every woman over 25’s worst nightmare. Buttock-skimming, thigh-flaunting and everywhere from Chanel to Sonia Rykiel, supershort is autumn’s answer to last season’s hot-pants thing, and a must-try for anybody with the legs and exhibitionist leanings. “This look is nigh on impossible with bare legs, so get your hosiery right,” says Croft. Lace, strong block colours and trusty 40-denier-plus opaques are all safe bets. Croft reckons supershort can work with a heel or a flat (“although flats completely take the sex out of it”), and recommends chucking on a boyfriend blazer to keep the tone trendily sloane/Suzi Quatro.

The fashion trends for autumn and winter

For every trend this season, there is an antidote. Here's where to buy the new looks and how best to wear them

BACKGROUND

• 10 ways to update your wardrobe for winter

• Beauty trends for autumn and winter

• Back to work blues: fashion and beauty tips

Multimedia

• Pictures: winter coats

• Pictures: 15 winter wardrobe essentials

• Pictures: the tricky trends for this season

ODD HIP SHAPES

Defined by a nipped-in waist and exaggerated hip — achieved by pleating, boning or gravity-defying tailoring — the hyper hip can, in the wrong hands, go a bit ’m a little teapot”. Get it right, however, and your best bits will be revealed and wobbly bits concealed. According to Croft: “This look is all about the waist, so never wear it on the hip. Whatever you’ve got on top needs to be fitted, body-conscious and tucked in.” She recommends a leotard (try Wolford) to avoid any unsightly overspill. A statement belt (as seen at Valentino) will define the waist further. Girls with no waist should avoid the look.

THE OIL-SLICK LEGGINGS

Seen on every filly about town, from Daisy Lowe to Jemima Khan, latex-look leggings are both practical (in that they’re sort of waterproof — Kate Moss premiered them at Glasto last year) and fashion-forward. “They look best with a slouchy cashmere jumper,” says Croft. She also insists that, as proven by Khan, there is no age limit for this look. “It’s about attitude, not age.” As for footwear, anything goes, from a biker boot to a killer heel, but, unless you are Kate Moss, buttock exposure is not advisable.

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