Autumn 2009

Generally, we can expect to see a lot of neutral tones, but with strong accent colours in purple and puce that add definition and contrast, and make the outfit stand out. Don’t expect blacks and browns this autumn, beige and cream colours are the way to go if you want to look stylish leading into winter.

Bright red nail polish in a matte finish, paler shades of lipstick, and fuller hair are going to be seen a lot on the catwalk, so don’t be afraid to let your hair down. Ladies with natural curls and dark hair should get noticed as their natural colours compliment their outfit.

Coats have bold shoulders and lapels, and are longer, reaching down past the waist, in some cases to the knee. Cardigans will also be long, and can be worn with a wide belt, and in keeping with the neutral colours we can expect to see animal prints becoming popular, especially in stockings and accessories.

Ladies intent on standing out from the crowd will find that bold red floral patterns on heavy fabrics, which can be worn with thigh high boots and patterned stockings are the way to dress, though in these situations subdued makeup and nail polish will give the outfit maximum appeal. Lighter coloured hair really works well with these outfits.

Boots will cover the knee, and blacks and browns will be the staple colour.  The financial crisis means that many of the top designers have created clothing that can be used over and over, we expect to see a lot more mixing and matching of items this autumn/winter season, in complete contrast to previous years where entire outfits were more popular.

In formal situations, women can expect to see a variety of styles of dresses and jacket and trouser combinations in black with grey highlights. Dresses are most likely to have only one shoulder, perhaps with a long sleeve, which the other shoulder is exposed. Expect satin, velvet, or fur this year.

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