With next season’s fashion weeks in full swing it is time for us to work out what we will be wearing over the all-important winter months. This season is very important for two reasons. Firstly, it encompasses the change in fuctionality 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.

It is not surprising that the old propaganda slogan from World War II of ‘make do and mend’ is now a part of everyday vocabulary. The fact that most of us are becoming a lot more conservative about our spending habits 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. These  can be found in most charity shops as well as in the dark corners of most of our mothers’ closets. If you were smitten by the Chanel 2.55esque chain handle in spring/summer, here is an easy 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. If you want to carry off a look that the designers are loving at the moment, then it is English Heritage. 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.

All of us need an item to take us from cold days into party nights. Undeniably, there’s one look that can spice up eveningwear better than any other… That is safari-inspired prints. Whether that is mock-croc patent leather handbags, shaggy faux fur or wild zebra and leopard prints. Free your inner animal with a handbag that shows off this key look. Of course, we’re only going to be wearing skins of the faux variety.

Any girly-girls out there who are more sex-kitten than lioness, don’t let your whiskers get in a twist. Pretty embellishments and hand-sewn detailing were all over the catwalks in last season’s collections of designer handbags. More good news – you’ll find them on the High Street too. You will be transformed into an arts and crafts leader with the help of buttons and beading. However, harsher stud and zip detailing has inspired a more gothic feel. Just in time for hallowe’en!

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Clothing & Apparel