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What To Wear Next Season

Section: Fashion

Eva Wiseman

Without us to guide you through this season's trends you'd be flailing in a sea of lime-green snoods, weeping over a pair of tiger-print ear-muffs. Poor love. The main thing to bear in mind when gathering your wardrobe this autumn, is that this season it's all about being grown-up. So no arse-skimming tunics, no slipping on a t-shirt and calling it a dress, and no garish patterns which make you look like a Seventies sofa. Instead, enjoy well-cut coats and old-lady shoes. Get your credit card ready - here comes fashion....

1. Purple
Purple is often associated with sexual frustration. Which is obviously nonsense, but still, these things stick. Work the frustrated look with lilacs, violets, lavenders and, our favourite, heliotrope.

2. Leather

No longer just for bikers, perverts and mid-life crises, leather goes elegant this season, with lots of nice girly shapes and pleats for the discerning lady. Pay particular attention to H&M's marvellous 60's-style tunic, £79.99. It's brilliant. Otherwise invest in a leather bomber.

3. Black

It's back. It's glittering, it's textured, it's shimmering. It's black on black, so subtle, but wild, basically, and, being black, it makes you look skinny.

4. Loose knits

Lovely, loose longline knitwear - with matching socks - is this season's comfort dressing. For clothes for watching telly in (long cardies, sweater dresses) head straight to Gap.

5. Feminine shapes

Go for ladylike skirts that make you walk properly, with big bold shoulders and a little itsy waist, all cinched together with a sensible belt. Principles do a good one. Add a well-cut coat? Why not.

6. Block colour

Dress like a bag of Haribo in saturated colours and, not only will kids flock to you, but you'll be hugely on-trend.

7. Trousers

Punch the air my thick-legged friends! Micro-skirts and hotpants are banished, to usher in the faithful trouser. From wide-legged swishers to actual jodhpurs (see Warehouse for skinny ones or Gap's looser khaki version) good ones are everywhere.

8. Shoe-boots

Is it a shoe? Is it a boot? That's the beauty of this adult foot sheath - it's got something for everyone. Kurt Geiger's are delightfully brogueish.

9. Belts

Goodbye pregnancy-style smocks, hello waist. Belts are big and back!

10. Patent leather

Strictly for bags and shoes and belts. Y

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