New York, London, Paris and Milan have showed us what we’ll be wearing next season, so let’s see what’s in store in the shorter term. The winter season is so 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.Bearing these in mind, if you want to look great at the end of 2009, you’re going to need to know what will turn heads.

In a year that has suffered a financial meltdown, it is not surprising that the WWII slogan ‘Make Do and Mend’ has become part of everyday terminology. 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 there is a key way to instantly transform it into a bang on-trend look. Last season, we were all about hanging the chain handle effortlessly over our shoulders. Now, we need to wrap the chain around our hands to create the shape of clutch handbags. Still effortless, but right up to date.

If you want to buy new, but keep it vintage inspired, I would recommend investing in tweed accessories. Fashion designers are loving English Heritage looks at the moment. 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. For me, there is one trend that is certain to spice up eveningwear more 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. 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 good news, these aren’t exclusive to the catwalk, you’ll find them on the High Street too. 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 hallowe’en!

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