Boutique Directory: Clothes
The art of style is having a versatile set of everyday basics that remain at the heart of your wardrobe - those items of clothing that take you to work and into the weekend and that form the staple of your own personal collection. The eve fashion experts show us how it's done...
Going to work has never been so sexy. Forget prim: the skirt suit is reborn and its 21st-century makeover on this season's catwalks saw it come in striking proportions with nods to the Forties and Fifties (see Miu Miu and Bottega Veneta). Autumn sees the return of the waist and the ladylike silhouette, so start the hunt for the perfect pencil skirt and cinched waist jacket now.
Masculine tailoring is back too, as seen on the Sportmax, DKNY and Etro catwalks. Think Marlene Dietrich, Katherine Hepburn and Annie Hall and team classic wide-legged trousers with a crisp white shirt and a mannish jacket.
Make sure you top it all off with the perfect coat. There's a myriad to suit everyone - wide-collared or collarless, trench or cape, belted or A-line.
For your weekend wardrobe, the world is your oyster. Edgy biker girls were seen at Hermes and Fendi, inspiring a host of leather bombers to wear with skinny leg trousers. Knits are no longer just about comfort, you can now make a statement with your choice in woollens - belt in an oversized sweater, choose a giant cable knit jumper or opt for a long cardi coat. When the winter chill kicks in, quilted jackets will keep you snug.
It's easy to brighten dull days with vibrant colour too. Give your winter wardrobe an injection of hot pink, electric blue or orange. Clash them if you can, but tread carefully; experiment first with contrasting coloured accessories.
Do... wear a pencil skirt, if you've got the curves to flaunt. If you're more of a pear, choose a soft A-line skirt. Boyish hips? Create curves with an on-trend tulip skirt.
Don't... wear the new longer hemlines (below the knee and lower) if you're petite, as they'll swamp you. Choose a shorter jacket instead and team with an on-the-knee skirt to elongate your bottom half.
Masculine tailoring is back too, as seen on the Sportmax, DKNY and Etro catwalks. Think Marlene Dietrich, Katherine Hepburn and Annie Hall and team classic wide-legged trousers with a crisp white shirt and a mannish jacket.
Make sure you top it all off with the perfect coat. There's a myriad to suit everyone - wide-collared or collarless, trench or cape, belted or A-line.
For your weekend wardrobe, the world is your oyster. Edgy biker girls were seen at Hermes and Fendi, inspiring a host of leather bombers to wear with skinny leg trousers. Knits are no longer just about comfort, you can now make a statement with your choice in woollens - belt in an oversized sweater, choose a giant cable knit jumper or opt for a long cardi coat. When the winter chill kicks in, quilted jackets will keep you snug.
It's easy to brighten dull days with vibrant colour too. Give your winter wardrobe an injection of hot pink, electric blue or orange. Clash them if you can, but tread carefully; experiment first with contrasting coloured accessories.
Do... wear a pencil skirt, if you've got the curves to flaunt. If you're more of a pear, choose a soft A-line skirt. Boyish hips? Create curves with an on-trend tulip skirt.
Don't... wear the new longer hemlines (below the knee and lower) if you're petite, as they'll swamp you. Choose a shorter jacket instead and team with an on-the-knee skirt to elongate your bottom half.
