Five key pieces to carry you into Autumn/Winter this year

While summer could hardly be considered drawing to a close – I mean, it’s only July – it’s that transitional time of year for fashion when the new Autumn/Winter lines arrive, and we begin to idly plan what we’ll be wearing next season once the sun’s finally gone away. To prevent any of you ladies getting into a flap about what you should be buying for your autumn wardrobes when you still haven’t sorted out your wardrobe for your impending summer holiday, here is your Autumn wish-list, courtesy of Shiny Style.

Those whose summer diets haven’t really gone the way as planned will be happy to know that they don’t have to stress about body-con this year, as the maxi-dress will still be going strong once the holidays are over. Richard Nicolls’ collection is an example of how we should be rocking floor-lengths this Autumn/Winter. Trade in bright, summer-friendly prints and fabrics for something a little more luxe; think rich velvets, lace, chiffon and feathers. After all, winter is the party season.

However, if you’re looking for something a teensy bit more form-fitting, be on the lookout for more 1950s dress shapes in the shops this autumn. The full-skirted dresses as seen on the Louis Vuitton catwalks were sexed up with corset tops, creating the perfect balance between ladylike and sexy.

You should also get ready to dress for sub-zero temperatures as the hot trend for the upcoming fashion season is.. sheepskin! Perfect for cold winter weather, Phillip Lim showed us on the catwalk how to make sheepskin work for us: opt for leather jackets with a sheepskin collar and lining for an instant update on the biker-girl trend. Sheepskin will also be a strong presence in footwear once summer is past. Keep an eye out for workman’s boots with sheepskin this winter as seen on the catwalks of Burberry Prorsum – a coolier, grungier version of the shoe boot that will keep your tootsies warm all winter.Caramel and camel tones will continue to be stylish, as seen on the catwalk for Chloe’s ready-to-wear show. If you don’t want to go head-to-toe caramel, an easy way to incorporate the trend into your wardrobe is a tailored camel coat that will keep you snug during the winter.

Check the gallery below for this year’s A/W trends.