Autumn Style 2010 by Chester

September, 2010

Chance to win tickets to show

he Knitting & Stitching Show is a popular autumn event and one of the best textiles exhibitions in Europe.

As always, the show offers fabulous shopping opportunities with almost 400 specialist exhibitors to buy from. And, with an extensive range of workshops lined up, there will also be a chance to learn many skills – from beginners’ crochet to felt making or beadwork – from top teachers. An entire hall will be devoted to gallery exhibitions so there will be plenty to inspire. This year's line-up of international textile artists includes Elizabeth Tarr, Deirdre Hawken, Andrew Schneider, an exhibition from Alice Kettle and Jane Mckeating and a Julia Caprara Retrospective. The prestigious Global Paper Exhibition will travel to London for the first time to be part of the Knitting & Stitching Show. The focus will be on jewellery made from paper, but collages, sculpted and cut books, and

KNIT STITCH: Find out the latest in craft products at this year's Knit Stitch Show. installations will also be featured. Over the four days of the London Show there will also be the chance to encounter and participate in craft as

a performance art. Shane Waltener will work live with participants on six overlocking machines. A circle of stitchers will act as one, reworking

fabric from old clothes. The stitched installation will evolve, forming an ever-growing circular display. This year the show also offers the chance to have your own little black dress made by professional dressmaker, Caroline Laidlow Owen – and even model it on the catwalk. Once again there will be a Swishing Salon at the show where you can take any good quality, second-hand clothing or accessories for a fun and fair swap. All proceeds will be donated to Bliss, a special care baby charity. ● Tickets are available in advance until one week prior to the opening of the show, from either www.twistedthread.com, 01394 288 521 (office hours) or on the door. However, we are giving readers the chance to win one of five pairs of tickets to the Harrogate show. All you have to do is send your name and address on a postcard, quoting ‘Reader Offer’ to Wendy Bryan, Creative Exhibitions, 8 Greenwich Quay, London SE8 3EY, by Friday, November 5.

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September, 2010

Phil’s property pick-me-ups T

here are certain things in life that seem natural partners: strawberries and cream, sea and sand and, surely, Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp, writes Gabrielle Fagan.

They’re the yin and yang of property experts, with Phil’s down-to-earth practicality and Kirstie’s bubbly and effortless ability to bond with couples seeking homes on Channel 4’s two hugely successful series, Location, Location, Location, and its successor, Relocation, Relocation. “We’re a bit like brother and sister because we know each other extremely well now,” says Phil, with a smile. “We know what makes the other tick, how to wind each other up, and all our bickering and teasing is totally genuine. What you see on the programmes is what we’re like off screen. “I’m practical, good on the structural aspects and get a buzz out of the buying deals. Kirstie’s excellent at the architecture, interiors and getting inside people’s heads and relationships. We complement each other well.” But while their TV partnership has run smoothly over the 10 years since they found fame, the property market has been battered by the recession, and as a nation we’ve been forced to rethink our attitude to homes. Now, the mantra’s “don’t move, improve” and Phil not only welcomes the change in approach, but has put together a comprehensive guide called Adding Value To Your Home. It evaluates a range of improvements as well as pointing out practical ways to make a home more pleasurable to live in. “Both are important nowadays. The cost of moving is high and homes aren’t shooting up in price as rapidly as they once were, so people are staying put much longer,” Phil points out. “It’s good that we’re returning to the idea that homes are sanctuaries and a refuge from the world of work, and not primarily

Property expert Phil Spencer talks about his partnership with Kirsty Allsopp and offers tips for home improvements and adding value STYLISH: Take inspiration from hotel bathrooms and adapt some of their ideas. assets that you just do up to make a fast buck. And after all, why only make improvements before you sell? Do them now and get the benefit for yourself.” His rule for property buying is to “buy for the long term, adapt if necessary, or buy something to improve and add value”. Phil, 40, a qualified surveyor and property finder, followed his own advice when he bought his home in Wandsworth, five years ago, where he lives with wife, Fiona and sons, Jake, five, and Ben, three. He’s almost doubled the size of the fivebedroomed semi, by adding a basement and a kitchen extension, and is currently creating a playroom for the children. “Personally, I have no intention of moving again...that’s our home for good. “The market isn’t going to race away as it once did. It will rise – but probably only around three to four per cent a year, so adding value will be key.” He says: “The way I look at it, it’s cheaper to build a space than it is to buy it. Square footage costs money.” “A well-thought-out extension can feel like you’ve created a completely new house. But think through your plans carefully so that you know the result will give you a practical, usable area and, if it’s a kitchen extension, it doesn’t overwhelm a garden.” Normally, he says, a skilful extension can

add about 10-15% to the value of the home, while a loft, which can cost between £10,000 to £40,000, could potentially add between 15 and 20%. But take into account that storage space will be lost, and installing a staircase to the loft will encroach on the floor below. Phil’s budget tip: If there’s no money for large projects, make better use of your space. Re-organise rooms, knock down internal walls to create a better flow between rooms, and make practical improvements, perhaps by installing a downstairs toilet in an under-stairs space. “Branded kitchens go in and out of fashion, so be careful what you choose,” he warns. “You don’t want buyers dating your kitchen by the colour or style of the doors, so opt for classic designs and easy-on-theeye colours.” And, as the fashion is for a kitchen to be the multi-functional ‘heart of the home’, he believes it doesn’t make sense to stint on appliances, worktops and tiles. He says the majority of people spend around £7,000 on a kitchen, and agents estimate it can add around 5% to the value of a property. “A good kitchen does sell a house faster. Estate agents tell me that women buyers put the kitchen at the top of the property wish list. But getting the layout right is crucial, so concentrate on putting appliances in the right place and having properly planned storage space.” Phil’s budget tip: If a revamp is out of the question, simply change doors on units, add new handles and maybe a new worktop. Employ a carpenter for a quality finish. Update light switches and replace worn flooring with tiles or stone. “A bathroom is a job most people don’t want to do themselves, so it’s always a relief to see that it’s done when you’re viewing a house,” says Phil. A skilfully revamped bathroom can add up to 10% to the value of your home, according to estate agents. Phil estimates the cost of replacing an average bathroom as £1,000-£4,000.

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BORDER PATROL: All perennial plants that have finished flowering can either be cut down or left until the spring.

Thanks to the wet weather, your grass will have grown but if it’s really long, don’t try to cut it short in one fell swoop or you’ll be cutting into thick, brown stems which will leave your lawn looking like a mass of stubble. Instead, do the mowing in stages, raising the blades as high as possible initially and then lowering them a notch each time you mow subsequently, so the grass will soon grow leafy again. If your hanging baskets and containers have completely dried out, the plants may be beyond help so bite the bullet and empty the contents on to the compost heap – then you can get an early start with autumn displays and spring bulb plantings. Containers holding year-round interest plants such as shrubs or evergreens may benefit from being submerged in a bucket of water to re-wet the compost, but take care not to waterlog the plants.

TIDY UP: Time to dead-head the roses. After re-wetting, robust architectural plants such as phormiums and box can be lifted out of their containers with their root system intact to check if the compost has been completely soaked through. Tomatoes left unpicked and unwatered will be dead after two weeks, courgettes will have turned into marrows which have a more bitter flavour but are still edible, lettuces will have gone to seed and will need digging up and composting. However, you can just sow some more in their place. Try to find some time to clear vacant rows in your veg patch and

refill them with autumn and winter crops immediately. Borders should remain relatively unaffected if you’ve only had two weeks away. Check your pond for foreign bodies which may have fallen in, such as birds or mice, and carefully remove and dispose of them. All perennial plants that have now finished flowering can either be cut down or left until the spring. Cutting them down makes for a tidy winter garden, but foliage, whether it be dead or alive, helps keep the garden warmer over winter, so it can be left if you can bear the unsightliness.

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September, 2010

Forcing the issue... Tips on how to prepare forced bulbs in pots to give a welcome splash of colour during the festive season

By Hannah Stephenson

ith summer barely over, it hardly seems the right time to start thinking about Christmas – but if you want a splash of colour indoors during the festive season, now is the time to prepare forced bulbs in pots.

which you can see between the tips of the leaves should just be starting to show signs of colour. Once they have reached this shade they can be brought out into the light, but avoid putting them in direct sunlight. They are best off in a cool room on a windowsill, but preferably not near a radiator. If you remove the bulbs too early the leaves will grow too quickly and will obscure the flowers. While most hyacinths will stand up on their own, I tend to put pea sticks in the pots to support the heavy flowers, which otherwise may droop prematurely. After flowering, the dead flowers should be cut off and then the bulbs can be planted outdoors and should flower after several years. You can also force hyacinth bulbs in water, in special glasses designed to hold just one bulb, with its base at water level. The

bulb should be kept in a cool room and the water level kept topped up just below the bottom of the bulb. You will see that it soon produces roots which grow down into the water. When the flower buds start showing colour, move the bulb in its glass bowl into a warm, brightly lit room. After flowering, you just throw the bulb away as it won’t give you a good display in subsequent years. Some daffodils, including Narcissus ‘Paper White’, can be grown indoors in bulb fibre in the same way as hyacinths, although they do need more light and once you bring them out of the dark they can immediately be placed on a sunny windowsill. If you don’t give them enough light, they may become too tall and will need staking. Stick with the same varieties of hyacinths as some grow quicker than others. Single varieties of bulbs such as snowdrops and dwarf narcissi also make more of a statement when planted en masse in pots. When Christmas comes and colour and fragrance fills your home, you won’t be sorry you made a little bit of effort with some prepared bulbs in the autumn.

You can have a mass of colour and fragrance indoors in winter with deliciously scented hyacinths, hippeastrums, irises, grape hyacinths, snowdrops and miniature daffodils, which can all be forced to brighten up your home in winter. Go to your garden centre now and look out for bulbs marked ‘prepared’, which are specially adapted to bloom earlier than usual. Prepared bulbs have been given an artificial cold period for a number of weeks in conditions that imitate winter to speed up the natural flowering cycle. For me, the hyacinth is probably the best bulb for forcing. Its fragrance will fill a room and the choice of colours available is vast, from white, to pink, red, deep purple and almost every hue in between. Bulbs should be planted in bowls filled with moist bulb fibre, close together so they are not quite touching one another, and with their growing tips just sticking out above the top of the compost. Don’t firm the bulb fibre down or it may SPECIALISTS IN FENCING SUPPLY hinder the root system establishing quickly. INSTALLATION FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND Make sure you don’t overwater them, espe Traditional Panels Bespoke Panels & Gates cially if the container doesn’t have drainage Decorative Panels Entrance Gates LARGE holes, or the bulbs will SELECTION Arches & Benches Decking & Timber rot. OF They should be FIREWORKS Stone & Aggregate Concrete Products placed in a cool, dark AVAILABLE place such as the shed FROM Fencing & Netting Wire Electric or a closed cupboard in OCTOBER a cold room, to encour Garden Sheds DIY & Trade Supplier age the flowering stems to develop before the Indoor Showroom Horse & Pet Food leaves. It also enables Installation Service Delivery Service the root system to become well established. VISIT OUR SHOP & INDOOR SHOWROOM If the bulb fibre becomes dry at any time, CALL FOR A FREE INSTALLATION QUOTE water carefully EMAIL: installations@ringwoodfencing.co.uk between the bulbs. Experienced fencers & guaranteed work The bowls should be MEMBERSHIP NO. left in the dark for 200428 around eight weeks, or ringwoodfencing.co.uk VISIT: 740136 01829 TEL: until the new shoots are RINGWOOD FENCING, LANSDOWNE ROAD, STAMFORD BRIDGE, TARVIN, CHESTER CH3 8EL around 1-2in (4-5cm) OPEN MONDAY FRIDAY 8:00 5:00, SATURDAY 8:30 1:00 high. The flower buds

PLAN AHEAD: The hyacinth is probably the best bulb for forcing.

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September, 2010

Life’s always colourful BRIGHTEN UP: A room in which the light has been enhanced by use of colour and furnishings.

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“So dull. So yesterday.” exclaims the TV presenter in exasperation. “People should now feel free to ignore that outdated estate agents’ rule that all interiors must be neutral. “The recession’s made everyone re-evaluate their homes. And as generally it’s too expensive to move, once again they can be places where we show off our style, enliven them with eccentric touches, and conjure personal sanctuaries.” Laurence knows a thing or two about creating flamboyant, dramatic, ostentatious effects, and make-a-statement rooms. He originally found fame in 1996 as the extrovert designer on BBC’s Changing Rooms, where each week he had 48 hours and £500 to make-over a room for a member of the public. At its peak the show had 13 million viewers, and watching the home-owners’ reactions, ranging from delighted and surprised to horrified, was as fascinating as the schemes. He says with a smile: “The funny thing is that actually I didn’t have that many who didn’t like my make-overs. But people

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remember them because they were controversial and it gave me a bit of a fun reputation as a bad boy.” Since those days he’s toned down his look. But while the trade-mark frilly shirts are gone, and he only occasionally dons leather trousers, the 45-yearold’s collar-length blow-dried locks are a fixture. In his latest book, Decorating With Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, he explores 30 colourful and inspiring interiors, including his own Cotswolds home, and gives step-by-step tips on DIY projects. Some of them, such as drawing on furniture with a gold pen to fake a gilded gold leaf-effect, are reminiscent of those budget-conscious Changing Room effects, while others are down-to-earth, practical techniques for tiling, picture hanging or upholstering a headboard. Laurence, who lives with his wife Jackie and two daughters, Cecile, 14, and Hermione, 11, in a Gloucestershire manor house,

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says he wants to show people they can add style and glamour to their homes without breaking the bank. “It’s truly not difficult to use tricks and techniques to overcome or disguise the flaws or unlovable corners. So although there’s no such thing as a perfect home, with a bit of imagination you can create a home that’s perfect for you and your family.” Follow Laurence’s tips for a magical home makeover Bowenstyle. “When people ask me how to start designing a room, I often suggest they start with a cold glass of Chardonnay,” says Laurence with a smile. “Though this advice might sound flippant, there is a point to it. At this stage of the design process it’s important to be as relaxed and as unconstrained as possible.” Next, he advises, spend time building up a mental picture of an ideal or fantasy room, and keep photos, cuttings from magazines, and scraps of fabrics which can be clipped to a ‘mood’ board for inspiration. “The board will help you recognise the colours you’re naturally attracted to, and which dècor and furnishing styles appeal.” And, most importantly, he advises completing any essential practical DIY jobs before decorating and furnishing begins. “You don’t want to run the risk of having to stop mid-way or, worse, ruining what you’ve achieved because, for instance, you’ve been forced to take up a floor or install a light switch,” he warns. Bowen’s tips: Very dark or very light colours show age far worse than mid-tone shades. Floor coverings start ‘shadowing’ after a few years of use, so work out where the most trafficked areas are and choose dark or midtone shades accordingly. Open the lid to the colour paint box, and start experimenting, urges Laurence. “My sincere hope is that we all grow in confidence and start to enjoy colour again, if for no other reason than because getting a beige colour scheme to work is horrendously difficult,” he points out. “Also ‘de-beigeing’ a room is the best way to

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aurence LlewelynBowen pales almost to the same ivory shade as his silk shirt at the idea of re-vamping a room by plastering it with a fresh coat of magnolia paint.

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September, 2010

with Llewelyn-Bowen give it a tonic. Colour brings energy and diversity. If you were going to paint a room a neutral shade, very often it will turn out to have a green-ish hue, so you might as well choose green in the first place.” Bowen’s tips: If colour charts baffle, imagine colours as flavours, as it may help you pair different shades such as limes and yellows. Cool colours, he says, make walls feel more distant, while reds, browns, deep oranges and purples, draw walls in. Getting the layout right for a multi-functional living room is key, says Laurence. “Personally, I like a room to both look sensational and be convenient. For me, this means that everything has a pre-ordained space where it works best.” He favours an L-shaped layout for sofas, with one facing a fireplace or feature wall, and another a television. Wallpapering alcove shelves, rather than painting them, can be extremely effective he believes, and will give more prominence to the objects displayed on them. “If you can’t work out what’s wrong with a room try ‘furniture therapy’,” Laurence suggests. “Move everything into the middle

of the room and then put it back in a different place. it’s very re-invigorating and will shake up a setting, and let you recognise the potential for change.” Bowen’s tips: Use stripes to stretch a space. Make short, dumpy rooms feel taller by sprinkling verticals such as full-length curtains, thin wall panels and leggy standard lamps. Alternatively, broaden a room with horizontal striped wallpaper or a paint effect. “There’s always space for a little creativity when it comes to bedroom layouts, so don’t feel tied to the walls,” says Laurence. “If there’s room, putting a bed in the middle of the space will make it look very grand. Make sure there’s a headboard so pillows don’t fall off, and consider a piece of furniture like a console table or desk at the foot of the bed to finish the effect.”

ELEGANT: Living room setting taken from Decorating With Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

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September, 2010

All ears for good hearing By Lisa Salmon

hen the World Cup kicked off, there was one sound which dominated the tournament: the vuvuzelas.

TURN IT DOWN: Millions of young people may be risking premature hearing damage by regularly listening to music at top volume for long periods through headphones.

Football clubs in Britain were urged by campaigners to ban these trumpets, claiming that their noise could lead to tinnitus, a painful ringing in the ears, or long-term loss of hearing for fans. “These tuneless trumpets can emit sounds in excess of 130 decibels, equivalent to a jumbo jet taking off,” Vivienne Michael, chief executive of the charity Deafness Research UK, has warned. Considering that 41.7% of us will have some kind of hearing loss by the time we’re 50, how do you make sure you’re looking after your ears, and those of your loved ones? ITV’s This Morning GP, Dr Rob Hicks, gives some sound advice... Problem: My ears feel blocked with wax, my hearing doesn’t feel normal, and cleaning them out with a cotton bud hasn’t helped.

Dr Rob Hicks, GP on ITV's This Morning, gives some sound advice on hearing problems – from blocked ears to sticky ears and ear infections Dr Hicks says: “Wax is usually the cause of blocked ears and dulled hearing. Generally, wax should be left alone because it’s made as the ears clean themselves naturally. “Don’t try to remove wax from your ears yourself. There’s a well known saying in medicine ‘never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear’. “Never push cotton buds, fingers or anything else into your ears, as you could push any wax further into the ear and compact it. This can make it hard for the ear to get rid of it, and could cause pain and infection. “If ears feel blocked, try applying oil on a teaspoon or dropper into the ear twice a day to help soften and clear wax. If, after a couple of days, there’s no improvement, seek a GP’s advice. He may prescribe ear drops or syringe your ears to remove wax.” Problem: My teenager listens to her MP3 player and goes regularly to music concerts but is complaining of ringing and buzzing sounds in her ears. Dr Hicks says: “It’s es-

timated that millions of young people may be risking premature hearing damage by regularly listening to music at top volume for long periods through headphones.” Research by RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf) found that more than one in five blast their ears with sound levels of 100 decibels or more – the equivalent of hearing a pneumatic drill 10ft away. At a concert, noise can be the equivalent to standing near a jet plane taking off, potentially harming hearing, and possibly triggering a distressing condition, tinnitus, a constant or intermittent ringing or buzzing in the ears. What to do: Turn down the volume on your personal music player if it feels uncomfortable or you can hear only music and no external sounds. Wear ear protection at concerts. Seek medical advice if the ringing doesn’t clear in a few days. Problem: I’ve got lots of ear studs but since I had the latest one put in, the skin around it has become swollen, red and sore. Dr Hicks says: “Any piercing of the

skin runs the risk of allowing infection in, and this can happen if the skin isn’t cared for properly during or after the piercing. “Piercing the soft lobe is usually the least painful and heals the quickest. A piercing in another part of the ear is likely to go through less flesh and more cartilage which is thicker. The area needs higher levels of care for longer to keep it clean and sterile. “Many people are allergic to certain inexpensive metals, such as nickel, which can make the outside of the ear swell and feel uncomfortable.” What to do: Seek medical advice straight away if the area becomes swollen, red and sore as treatment with antibiotics may be needed. Problem: My child’s had lots of ear infections, and the doctor thinks he may have ‘glue ear’? What’s that? Dr Hicks says: “Glue ear’s a condition in which a sticky glue-like fluid builds up behind the eardrum.” “Many children, particularly those between two and five, can get it because of a cold or ear infection. “It’s more common in winter and in homes where people smoke. It can interfere with a child’s hearing, although this is often temporary.” What to do: Around half of all bouts of glue ear get better on their own within three months, so doctors are often reluctant to treat unless it goes on for longer. If it does a child may be referred to a specialist.

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September, 2010

Get that faux glow Starting to feel pale and pasty now those dark nights are drawing in? Keep up that summer holiday feeling with a masterclass in faux glow By Lisa Haynes

orget the make-up artist and hair stylist, the one person celebrities all demand for their pampering entourage is the tanning technician.

FAKE IT: There’s no need to damage your skin when you can get your colour straight from a bottle.

When she swapped her red carpet duties for the fields of V Festival, Going The Distance actress Drew Barrymore still wanted to look like a golden goddess amid the mud. The actress reportedly had a St Tropez tanner hiding out in her Winnebago throughout the weekend so she could top up her festival glow. And who can blame her. A tan is just the feelgood factor you need to greet the gloomy autumn season. Like heat waves and ice-creams, your holiday tan will soon be a distant memory without a spot of post-summer beauty intervention. With sunbeds reserved for the foolish, there’s no need to damage your skin when you can get your colour straight from a bottle and fake it. Think tans are reserved for bikini flaunting? Think again. Boost your confidence during the daytime, on the dance floor or in the bedroom all year round with a skin-enhancing glow. “People like to have a tan,” explains St Tropez ambassador Nichola Joss. “They feel better, look better and it immediately makes your skin appear better. It evens up skin tone and hides marks, cellulite or stretch marks.” With a flattering fake tan, you can even make a

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dent in your daily beautifying routine, according to Joss. “You have less make-up worries. It’s like being on holiday. You just need a bit of lipstick and mascara, and you’re good to go. “People want to look like they’ve been away rather than putting on a fake tan.” Whether you’re a spray tan addict or DIY lotion diva, prep and time is the key to a tan that gets everyone wondering if it’s real? “Preparation is the base for your tan,” Joss explains. “It will last longer, you get a better finish and it will fade more evenly.” Put in the pre-tan groundwork by regularly exfoliating and moisturising. “If you’re a regular self-tanner, you need to moisturise every single day, morning and evening to keep the skin velvety and dewy. Exfoliating is dependent on your age but aim for at least two or three times a week to help skin cell renewal.” Streaks and orange palms are the stuff of fake tan nightmares but they can be avoided with tools and good technique. “My major top tip is that everyone should invest in a sponge tanning mitt,” Joss suggests. “For those that are not confident in tanning it allows you to apply the product very evenly, applying it on to the mitt first and then the body. “A spray works better if applied directly to the skin but then you take your mitt and gently buff the product into the skin. Other products like creams, lotions or mousses work best applied to the mitt first.”

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September, 2010

Autumn styles to snuggle up in By Lisa Haynes

f there’s one consolation to the approaching dark nights and dropping temperatures, it’s the autumnal fashions we get to snuggle up in.

Forget those heating bills and get some wintery cheer via your wardrobe. In comparison to summer’s barelythere floaty styles, the autumn/winter season boasts way more substance, with stronger trends and investment buys taking over the high street to seduce your wallet. From Mad Men ladylike to countryquaint tweeds, there’s a catwalk-inspired look to appease every winter goddess. No winter wardrobe is complete without a cosy sprinkling of shearling fur. From jackets to boots, outerwear has undergone a snug makeover with Burberry-inspired aviator jackets off to a flying start as the must-have buy of the season. Wear with slim-fitting trousers or dresses to maintain a sleek silhouette.

Suss out the seasonal trends to see you through to next year, with a round-up of the most irresistible fashion for autumn/winter 2010

Grab your corset and push-up bra, this season the silhouette is all woman. The likes of Louis Vuitton and Prada embraced 1950s nostalgia with waspwaisted circle skirts or prim and proper pencil skirts, along with corset-style tops to accentuate the bust. Find your inner lady by swinging framed handbags from pretty elbowlength gloves. The no-fuss, high-fashion colour to be seen in this winter is camel. It’s the neutral wear-with-anything shade that’s taking outerwear by storm with uptown classic coats, capes and blazers galore – simply choose your favourite sleek cut. Ride the camel trend to the extreme by wearing different tones from top-totoe, to work the minimalist look. Take on the great outdoors this winter

and embark on a stylish stroll via the country trend. Think heritage charm with checks, checks and more checks, from micro tweeds to oversized colourful plaids. Avoid looking like a royal family member and keep the look playful by mixing up different textures like mohair, chunky knits and silky fabrics. Move over Batman and Robin, there’s set to be an influx of new caped crusaders on the style block this season. The cape is the most theatrical way you can cover-up for winter. Designers even slung traditional coats around shoulders to put a cape-like swing into models struts. This armless wonder comes in a variety of forms from opulent embroidered numbers to sturdy khaki styles. Shorts and mini-skirts be gone. This season celebrates long-line lengths with maximum coverage. Traditionally, maxi-dresses have been confined to the summer holiday wardrobe but the new winter reincarnation is less floaty and free, and more sleek and fitted, with both skirts and dresses set to skim the floors. Swap your flip-flops for chunky heeled boots to give the look a seasonal fastforward.

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September, 2010

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September, 2010