Autumn's Fashion Trends 2011 for Women

Autumn's Fashion Trends 2011 for Women:

To autumn (nearly), season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, reaper of the wicked sundress and emissary of fresh trends. Only “trends” is problematic as it signifies the fleeting – and this fashion phase is a volte face.

The chief missive is “timelessness” – not for the last time will the minimalism masterclasses of Phoebe Philo at Céline and Stella McCartney be cited. If you’re hunting for a pagoda-shouldered jacket, this is not the season. Rather, it’s time to put together decidedly un-starry pieces: a white blouse, buttoned to the throat, tautly tucked into slick wool trousers; a camel coat belted just so. Flashy has played swapsies with simple, and girlish Lolitas with all-woman Lollobrigidas.

Which walks us to the other autumn story: boobs and hips, and garbs that embrace said proportions – swishy circle skirts, saucy bustiers – are cool. Even hip glossy LOVE celebrates “all things feminine” in its new issue, gushing how “during Fashion Week, a more voluptuous woman was sauntering her way into the spotlight: a new feminine silhouette, a full-blooming figure whose roots lay back in the Fifties”.

Pared down versus in-your-face curves, minimalism versus maximalism: foes set for an epic autumnal wardrobe fisticuff, right? Only if they didn’t share a collective motto, Strictly for Grown-ups – a rallying cry that unites other visual spars like neutrals vs leopard prints, and trousers vs midi-skirts. The real war? Streamlining your buys for the new season: charge forth with this battle plan.

The key investment: wool coat, £650, Joseph; 020 7610 8441
The key investment: wool coat, £650, Joseph; 020 7610 8441
The prints: jersey leopard dress, £90, Alexon at House of Fraser; 0845 602 1073
The prints: jersey leopard dress, £90, Alexon at House of Fraser; 0845 602 1073
The prints: wool-mix blazer, £203, Pyrus; 020 7434 4322
The prints: wool-mix blazer, £203, Pyrus; 020 7434 4322
The silhouette: silk dress, £195, LK Bennett; 08445 815 881
The silhouette: silk dress, £195, LK Bennett; 08445 815 881
The silhouette: wool-mix skirt, £45, Betty Jackson Black; 08445 616 161
The silhouette: wool-mix skirt, £45, Betty Jackson Black; 08445 616 161
The colour palette: silk blouse, £125, Jaeger; 0845 051 0063
The colour palette: silk blouse, £125, Jaeger; 0845 051 0063
The colour palette: leather-trimmed skirt, £199, Jaeger; 0845 051 0063
The colour palette: leather-trimmed skirt, £199, Jaeger; 0845 051 0063
The fabrics: lace-trimmed jumper, £40, Oasis; 01865 881 986
The fabrics: lace-trimmed jumper, £40, Oasis; 01865 881 986
The fabrics: shearling/leather jacket, £275, Banana Republic; 020 7758 3550
The fabrics: shearling/leather jacket, £275, Banana Republic; 020 7758 3550