Some final thoughts on Autumn/Winter 2006 that I could not leave unshared: 

Rant:

• Real fur – the explosion of rabbit, fox and raccoon fur on clothing prevented me from buying items that I loved. The abundance of it in mainstream retailers like Arden B and Bebe surprised me. There will hopefully be a wider assortment of faux fur next season.

Rave:

• Neutral palette – I did personally miss the colours, but on the other hand it is easier to put looks together in black, white and grey. It’s a good idea to have the neutral palette represented in your closet, and this fashion statement encouraged me to buy a few items that I wouldn’t have otherwise considered. 
• Animal prints – this wild, timeless and forever-chic trend is especially stylish as you get older. Animal shoes and accessories always kick your outfit up a notch and I enjoyed having a wide selection to choose from.

Feel free to share any last rants and raves before we put this season to bed and start concentrating on the glorious Spring collections that lie ahead.

Timeless Donald J Piner giraffe-inspired (not real giraffe) leather accessories from Endless.com (which offers free shipping and superb prices on designer brands).

We might still have a good few months of winter weather ahead us, but we’ve seen the last of this season in store. Spring 2007 is about to explode and I can’t wait to see shops filled with the promised eruption of colour and print. Every season has its share of good and bad trends and this one in particular was rife with watershed changes in fashion. Here are my feelings on the best and worse trends of Autumn/Winter 2006.

Best:

• Longer length tops - Hallelujah! The extra coverage meant that I could say goodbye to drafts up my back and down my bottom. This fundamental shift in fashion made dressing in layers easy, flattering and comfortable.
• Ruffles and volume – ultra feminine styles like these were welcomed by my girly side.
• Skinnies – initially my heart sank at the prospect of having to wear what I did 25 years ago. But wearing skinnies tucked into a pair of fabulous boots made me love this trend and I was converted.
• The resurgence of red – it took 12 years for red to come back as a major fashion colour and I love it. There is a shade of red for everyone.
• Patent – gloss is great. It always seems to add an extra dimension to your outfit (even when it’s black on black).
• Flat Riding boots – chic, sophisticated, elegant, comfortable and practical. Who can’t love a trend like that?

Worst:

• Black, black, black – I enjoyed this season’s monochromatic palette, but I missed the colour. Trying to find great items that weren’t black was very hard.
• Mini skirts – very short skirts are only for those of us with beautiful legs. I think that mini-skirts are harder to wear than a pair of skinnies. Skirt lengths are most flattering somewhere at the knee.
• Skinnies – I loved this trend when tucked into boots; but it also makes my “worst” list because I saw too many women wearing the style in a less flattering way.
• Black nail polish – it looks evil no matter how beautiful your hands.
• Platforms – I’m just envious that I can’t walk in them.

How did you feel about the trends this season? I’d love to know what made it to your closet, and what got left dangling on the store rail.

Black nail polish, platforms and mini dresses were hot in Autumn/Winter 2006, but never made it to my personal shopping list.

Winter is the perfect time to wear a hat. It not only adds interest to your outfit, but keeps you warm – extremely practical if you commute on foot. Newsboys and Cadets are the “it” hats of the season. They are more or less the same silhouette with slight differences in the crown and head of the hat. Newsboys tend to be slouchier than Cadets, which fit more snugly around the head.

Hats are not for everyone (especially if you fear “hat-hair”). But you might be surprised how gorgeous you look if you give one a try. Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters have an excellent hat selection this season.

And be sure to keep your hats in an accessible spot. We often forget about this accessory when its hidden somewhere in the back of our wardrobe.

Roomy Newsboys from Anthropologie.

Tailored Cadets from Anthropologie (left) and Urban Outfitters (right)

Winter clothing often makes us feel bulky and unfeminine. Chunky knits, turtlenecks, tweeds and thick soled shoes aren’t half as alluring as your favourite sexy summer pieces. Winter dressing calls for a chic and tailored approach.

Here’s how:

• Choose your fabrics carefully – winter clothing does not need to be thick to keep you warm. Select knitwear and coats made of finer fabrics such as mohair, wool blends and cashmere yarns instead. They are light, airy and just as warm. Chunky knitwear and polar fleece might make you look and feel bigger than you are.
• Keep your clothing streamlined – choose tailored clothing. There is nothing as sophisticated as a perfectly tailored coat. Match it up with a shaped collared shirt, cashmere pullover and ultra-long slacks or jeans with heels for an instantly chic look.
• Wear heeled boots – long heeled boots worn with knee length skirts, jeans, slacks, culottes or walk shorts are always a feminine alternative. 
• Make the most of winter accessories – funky hats, pretty scarves and dainty gloves are wonderful ways to keep warm and look fabulous in winter. Consider wearing accessories instead of bulking up with extra layers.

Keep it lady-like and tailored to feel just as girlie in winter as you do in summer.

Even lanky models look bigger than they are in the bulky knitwear above, but…

…streamlined cashmere and wool-blend pullovers can be more feminine and flattering.

Don’t forget to look fab in the snow! Whether you ski or snowboard, or just enjoy hanging out with others who do – make sure that you do it with style. This is the time to be kitted out in practical, comfortable and flattering gear that keeps you looking posh and polished as you hit the slopes.

It’s a good idea to buy a capsule of gear that you can mix-and-match. In this way you won’t get bored wearing the same outfit 5 days in a row.  Winter white, black, red and bright colours are my personal preference for snow gear simply because they stand out brilliantly against white snow. While you’ll certainly need enough room to maneuver, select inner and outer layers with a bit of shape – you’ll always look slimmer that way.

Stores like REI, Roots, Columbia, Patagonia and Helly Hanson are also on sale at the moment. With the best months for snow sport ahead of us – you might want to update at least part of your winter sporting outfit.

Hard and soft shell jackets, ski pants and wooly hats – all from REI. Winter sporting gear is expensive, but if this is something that you like to do, make sure that you have fabulous gear for the sport that you love.

The apparent absurdity of the retail cycle holds true in both Northern and Southern hemispheres. Those of you in the middle of a freezing winter will soon see flimsy Spring dresses displayed in store windows. If you are experiencing a sweltering Summer, Autumn knitwear and lightweight coats are about to appear in your favourite stores.

The next few weeks are your last chance to buy for your current season. Don’t expect to find cashmere pullovers, knee high boots and scarves when the weather is at its coldest. And don’t expect to find shorts and swimwear when Summer is at its peak.

Additionally, store stocks are purposefully low in January as retailers put their entire season’s collection on markdown. With a good few months of Winter or Summer left, now is the time to buy up the items you still need for this season.

How many coats should you have? The answer to this question depends entirely on where you live. You might live in a country where the weather is mild – in which case a lightweight trench is all you’ll need. Or, you might live in a city that has a cold, wet winter, which means you’ll need more than just a casual cover-up.

If you live in a country with a real winter season, consider a basic 3-coat complement for your wardrobe:

1. Lightweight trench coat – for transitional seasonal weather, dressed either up or down
2. Smart coat – for work, going out, date-night and occasions
3. Casual parka – for walks, playgrounds, going to the movies and running errands

Once you have these versatile options in your wardrobe, you can flirt with other styles that tickle your fancy. Coats for me are like shoes are for most women – I never feel that I have enough of them. Luckily I can justify my indulgences with the cold and wet climate of the American Pacific Northwest.

I recently spent a few days in Vancouver, Canada and was surprised to see that European chain stores had slashed their prices ahead of the new year (European stores usually go on sale in January and not the day after Christmas). If you live in California, the East Coast of America or Canada – it might be worth your while to have a look at the following stores for bargains galore:

• Zara (Spanish) – everything is 50-80% off. You’ll pick up coats for $80, pants/skirts for $40, ball gowns for $100, shoes for $30 and t-shirts for between $5 and $15.
• Le Château (French Canadian) – their cocktail wear is going for a song! Coats, knitwear, jackets and knitted tops have also been dramatically reduced.
• French Connection (British) – this store is particularly nice for men. Polo-necks, zip through knitted tops and collared shirts are good items to consider buying at half the price.
• Esprit (German) – both casual and smart casual items for ladies and gents are always a good choice here. Knitwear, casual jackets, denim and suiting have been reduced by 40%.
• Mexx (Dutch) - business casual attire for both ladies and gents are good choices on sale. Smart item jackets, collared shirts, romantic blouses and pinstripe suiting are fantastic purchases at half the price.
• H&M (Swedish) – few items will be cheaper than those on sale at H&M. If you can brave the crowds and queues – head straight for their jacket, jeans and knitted top selections. You’ll be able to buy an entire outfit for below $50.

Designer brands like Hugo Boss, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Chanel, Versace, Prada and Gucci are also on sale. If you are still looking for your statement piece this season – you might find it reduced right now!

Here is my hotlist after a quick scan of the markdowns at American mainstream retailers today (in-store and online):

• The best bargain in town is an iridescent black/brown trench coat from Banana Republic. Marked down to $119, it’s perfect for every occasion – from desk to dinner, cocktail, work or smart casual dressing. It’s posh, polished, effortlessly chic and won’t date.
• For pristine modern-classic business attire, Ann Taylor can’t be beat. Their black, grey and pinstriped suiting is half price and well worth a look. Immaculately tailored coats are 60% off and will probably be reduced further. Their petites area is particularly good and everything is on sale.
• For little black dresses, cocktail wear and dressy separates, take yourself off to BCBG for something extra special, and to Ann Taylor Loft and Forth & Towne for something a little more mainstream. Don’t be caught with nothing to wear when a formal Spring or Summer occasion comes your way. Save money, time and effort by buying your outfit now.
• If you’re still interested in buying high fashion merchandise for the tail end of winter – Express is best for knitwear, t-shirts and collared shirts.   

These are just a few of the good deals out there.

Trench coat from Banana Republic ($119), cocktail dresses from Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft ($49.99, marked down from $179).

Most retailers went on sale the day after Christmas. With Autumn and Winter collections reduced by at least 50%, this can be a good opportunity to buy what you missed during the season. However, do not be seduced by fads at bargain prices that only have a couple of months of fashion life left in them. I like to shop for items that I can fashionably wear into Spring or next winter.

High ROI (return on investment) purchases you should consider:

• Tailored coat in a basic colour
• Tailored black jacket
• White collared shirts, romantic ruffle blouses, voluminous blouses and tunics
• Cigarette pants
• Black or black pinstripe suits
• Cocktail wear – especially little black dresses
• Ballet flats and wedge shoes
• Evening clutch bag
• Animal printed and metallic accessories

Low ROI purchases you should leave behind:

• Bubble skirts
• Leggings
• Tartan and hounds tooth jackets/coats

Think twice about:

• Red items – while red will not feature as a fashion colour for Spring 2007, it’s still an excellent basic colour to have in your wardrobe. Red is like black, white, cream, grey and tan. This is completely your call. 
• Black items – while black will always be fashionable to wear, it is not a fashion colour for Spring. Don’t duplicate black items in your closet just because they’re on sale – beware the black rut. 

Remember to shop with a plan and to leave the items that do not absolutely work for you behind. Have fun finding great bargains!