Next season’s collections have been displayed beautifully in London, Milan, Paris and New York, so let’s see what Autumn and Winter hold. The winter season is so important for two reasons. Firstly, it encompasses the change in functionality in clothing from bohemian, laid back image-centred summer styles to a more practical winter-warmer. Secondly, it covers the biggest and most important date on any fashionista’s calendar – the Christmas party season. The following style statements will help you to keep heads turning at the end of 2009.

Considering the financial meltdown of the past year, it is not surprising that the old saying “Make Do and Mend” has made a comeback. Most of us have become a lot more conservative about our spending habits, and this has meant that vintage has become not only a style statement, but a necessity.

Eighties inspired looks are being re-made in the form of quilting and chain handles. Chains & quilting can be found on the shelves of most charity shops, not mentioning the many redundant pieces littering the backs of our mothers’/aunts/grandmothers closets. If you were smitten by the Chanel 2.55esque chain handle in spring/summer there is a key way to instantly transform it into a bang on-trend look. In a effortless fashion, the chain was hung carelessly over our shoulders in Spring and Summer. Now, we need to wrap the chain around our hands to create the shape of clutch handbags. Just as effortless, but now bang on trend.

If you want to buy new, but keep it vintage inspired, I would recommend investing in tweed accessories. The English Heritage is a look that fashion designers have fallen in love with. Woolly and warm tweed purses and handbags will have you head-over-heels and are perfect for teaming with this season’s must-have cosy, knitted styles.

We’ll need something to take us from crisp winter days into party nights. There is only one look sure to spice up any piece of evening wear… That is safari-inspired prints. Whether that is mock-croc patent leather handbags, shaggy faux fur or wild zebra and leopard prints. Liberate the animal within and show off your stripes with a handbag in this key look. Of course, we’re only going to be wearing skins of the faux variety.

For all of those girly-girls out there who are more sex-kitten than lioness, don’t get your whiskers in a twist. Pretty embellishments and hand-sewn detailing were all over the catwalks in last season’s collections of designer handbags. And even better news, they’ve hit the High Street. The arts and crafts style is securely at the top of our must-haves with the help of beading and buttons. However, harsher stud and zip detailing has inspired a more gothic feel. Just in time for Halloween!

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