The Outsize Jacket/Coat: Prada
When sizing up autumn’s jackets and coats, think XXL and think room to grow. Outsize proportions with dropped shoulders offer up a novel silhouette that looks just as snappy with fluid midi skirts as with cargo pants. Tighten up the lines with a trophy buckle belt and offset the blown out masculine edge with diamond drop earrings.
The Serious Boot: Celine
What the dad and fisherman’s sandal did for summer (keep style grounded), the serious boot will do for winter. Boasting big lug soles, leather linings and pronounced toes - styles range from moto to work boots and look equally kick-ass with delicate tulle party dresses as with mini skirts.
The Liquid Dress: Fendi
Glamour is a nothingy/everything kind of affair as the lustrous, liquid tube dress takes centre stage. It might be a marabou trimmed, glistening lace slip (grazie, Bottega Veneta); an embellished Miu Miu flapper style with an echo of Zelda Fitzgerald or a chainmail number by Ludovic de Saint Sernin that vies for your attention (and grabs everyone else’s on entering a room).
The Biker Jacket: Celine
If there’s one leather piece to invest in – make it a biker jacket which speeds once more into the front line of fashion with thigh skimming proportions, glossy leather, plenty of bold hardware detail and collars to flip when facing stormy weather.
Return of the Skirt: Saint Laurent
After seasons in the backwaters, the skirt returns as a multi-tasking favourite. Shapes slide from mini to maxi and the most wearable is a fluid bias cut midi. Pair with a cardigan and a serious boot for a look that melanges the soft with the hard.
Armour: Dior
When the going gets tough: women don armour. Introduce corsets (worn over shirting as at Fendi), torso cinching belts (Alaia), fencing style gilets (Balmain), buckles, harnesses and thigh high cuissardes to the decidedly kinky protective inventory. Go ahead: slay the day.
Slouchy Low Waist Trousers: Sacai
If you are blessed with long legged height, a pair of slouchy trousers that puddle at the floor will be a very good garm to add to your repertoire. Cut from suiting fabric, or supple denim the voluminous trousers meet their match with a skinny corset top for evening or a slimline polo knit (we recommend Petar Petrov) by day.
A BIG Bag: The Row
Dimensions are maxed out in pliable designs that double up as weekend away carryalls. These are pouches that might carry pooches, top secret dossiers or party clothes. Check Ferragamo, YSL, McQueen and Balenciaga - size does matter.
Reign in Rainwear: Alaïa
Climate change means we have to learn to dress for extreme, inclement weather. Rainwear is receiving a slicked-up makeover with a slew of fabulous galoshes (check Chanel, check Dior), ninja capes and hats entering the fray. Warning: when it rains, it will pour.
The Only Tweed: Dior
Woven with nostalgia, the little tweed jacket speaks volumes in the new lexicon of style. At Chanel, find signature tweeds that take their gorgeous heathery hues from the flora and fauna of the Scottish highlands; at Schiaparelli a dolman sleeve design in chequerboard patterns and at Celine, gold buttoned jackets in dense honeycomb tweed. Match with frayed edge denim for a spin on 90s supermodel style.
