Guide to Autumn and Winter Accessories

When Summer's gone and the early throes of Autumn are in full swing, it's a great time of year to embrace the new Winter fashions in the stores and update your look. Summer beachwear is all well and good, but it's for the colder months that the fashion editors sit up and rub their hands in glee! Autumn and Winter fashions celebrate rich fabrics, tailored cuts, jewelled colours and innovative, creative fashion design at its best. Accessories are key to this and a perfect way of refreshing last year`s wardrobe without spending an absolute fortune!

With the right accessories, last year's classic blazer can be updated for a new year. Ditto with jeans, shirts, dresses and more. The trick of a good wardrobe lies with building a strong foundation of high-investment basics and classic pieces and adding fashion-forward accessories and inexpensive high trend pieces that will last for just a season or two.

With Autumn accessories, mix practicality and glamour. Vintage fashion is still a big look, so try rich toned leather driving gloves to warm cold hands in the most stylish way. Deep purples, navys and sage greens look wonderful at this time of year. Hats are great too - recreate a glamourous 40's look with a plum red beret, or a winter white scarf. Bags are another key accessory - try a butter-soft tan leather tote with interesting strap detailing, or a woven chain, or have fun with vintage clutches, with quirky finishes, materials and embellishments. A classic satchel is also a great investment piece - try anything that resembles a Mulberry original - in black or deep burgundy.

Sunglasses are still a requisite for these months, particularly with low lying sun. Opt for over-sized glamour rather than the primary-pop colours and novelty shapes of Summer. A great pair of aviators will always stand the test of time. Silk scarves a great investment buy too - try Liberty print originals, or splash out on a Tom Ford modern skull print scarf - you can wear them as belts, around your neck, or to tie up your hair.

With jewellery, warm metals work perfectly for the season. Try warming bronzes, deep golds and white, bright platinum colours. The party season traditionally favours sparkle, so wear crystals and embellished accessories. Some sparkly drop earrings and a studded bag can instantly update a little black dress! Try pendant earrings, or enamelled bird or butterfly shapes. Bright beads on ribbons and costume jewellery is also still very popular, along with tribal and folk prints and designs. These can easily transition across the season, combined with classic leather jackets, maxi dresses and boots. Even light summer dresses can be flexed for the colder season with biker boots, a t-shirt, jacket and belt - try layering to create a personal, creative look.

As ever, look widely for unusual and unique accessories. The high street offering is broad enough too to avoid wearing the same as everyone else! Be creative in your combinations and mix old with new to craft your own expressive look. Try online stores for Aetrex shoes, Hunters wellies, a classic Barbour and funky print tshirts from an array of modern urban designers - the beauty of online means access to new brands and a huge array of offers. Have fun!

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