Blend your style seamlessly from summer into the coming autumn (what, already?) by choosing both classic and fashion-forward pieces that will work well in any season and weather conditions.

Think accessories and layering. If you see a cute floral-print dress in the sales, try to imagine how it might look with coloured ribbed or opaque tights, with boots or lace-up shoes, plus a cardi over, later on in the year. If you think it might work (small floral prints work well, in a vibrant but earthy palette), go for it.

Bear in mind that fashion-forward shops such as Topshop and Miss Selfridge will already be carrying trans-season ranges and key shapes and colours that can carry forward to next season (and some might even be in the sales). Check out the lantern shape skirt which combines a flared shape, a panelled shape and a tulip shape for this coming season's updated volume look. It's a good idea to know what the key trends for next season are while shopping at the moment, so here's a quick rundown of edited highlights.

Key iconic outfits for the season will include: A camel coat with grey shift dress and black tights; tunic and trousers; soft goth look of black lace and chiffon; single-breasted black leather jacket with tight black trousers; a collarless white silk blouse and black knee-length pencil skirt; a little black dress, perhaps with one shoulder detail – and add lots of diamonds.


Autumn/winter trend highlights

Look out for these key colours, shapes and items:

Tomato red, especially with glossy black, so look out for red ruffled blouses

Rich, sophisticated colours – olive green, midnight blue, purple satin mustard, cream and orange

Grey chiffon

Nudes creams and golds

Ice cream palette of pale turquoise, pale lilac, pale sage as seen at Louise Vuitton and duck egg blue

Bejewelled sequinned cardis

Folksy style with paisley and fringing and embroidery – seek out hippy chic blouses.

Luxe fabrics, especially satin, fur, cashmere, metallic, quilted fabrics.

Black and gold accessories

Black patent boots

Black lacy and patterned tights

Tartans and tweeds

Sheer fabrics especially in black, forest green and navy

Small bags, courier satchels

Costume jewellery

High boots

Wide bejewelled belts

Grey jersey pegged trousers and cropped ones

More big bows at the neck, more embroidery and ruffles