How to splash out and be savvy
(Filed: 28/12/2005)
Wise shoppers will go for next year's trends - white and wholesome - as well as cashmere and sheepskin, says Clare Coulson
Before tackling the chaos of the high-street sales, it makes sense to devise a game plan; doing a recce beforehand will help you to avoid wasting hours trying to find what you want in crowded stores.
Silk dress, £45, (£90), French Connection and Phoebe bag, £416 (£595), MulberryThis is especially true if you are shopping for clothes and accessories. When you are battling thousands of other women on the busiest shopping day of the year, there's no room for indecision.
It's also worthwhile to look ahead a little, and think about what you will want to wear for the rest of the winter and into spring.
Since we have been warned to brace ourselves for an icy winter, anything cosy is a wise buy. Clothes that are usually out of reach - such as indulgent sheepskin and chunky cashmeres - are really worth splashing out on as they will last for years.
For a more affordable option to a sheepskin coat, look out for a sheepskin gilet - there are many on the high street, despite being one of last year's trends.
Marks & Spencer's Limited Collection has versions in purple, dark green and blond, while its Autograph range has cream sheepskin jackets, which are even more cosy (reductions from 20 per cent; 0845 302 1234).
If you can bear to gamble, it's also probably worth waiting for even bigger reductions with expensive pieces like these. However, the really savvy shoppers will be looking ahead to next year's trends.
Here, then, are a few pointers on what to look out for, and the themes that will define fashion next year.
Strong silhouettes
Bell sleeves, tulip skirts and strong, A-line silhouettes will all be key shapes next spring, and are all worth investing in. Look for anything with a clean, Sixties-style silhouette; it is one of the more avant-garde trends for next year, but one that will give you an instant update.
White
Just as they persuaded us to return to black, designers have decreed that white is the colour for spring. Focus on i
nteresting textures and wispy, fine fabrics; light voiles, broderie anglaise, delicate lace and crochet.
Pleated silk top with velvet halter-neck ties, £24.95 (was £80) at Karen Millen
Bows and frills
Although minimalism is set to return, there are still bows, ruffles and frills aplenty for next summer. Look out for
coquettish skirts with bows, or ruffle-front blouses with a froufrou Baroque-feel.
French Connection's silk shirt-dress with a frill front is simple, sexy and sums up the mood (reductions of up to 50 per cent; 020 7036 7200).
Blazers
Marc Jacobs is a reliable predictor of trends and, for spring, he focused on a wholesome, American preppy look, which is bound to take off. Blazers, clean, crisp masculine shirts, and slouchy trousers form the foundation of the look.
Colours
Nudes, soft, dusty pinks, chocolate and other warm neutrals are all good colours to invest in. But there are also plenty of eye-popping
Pop-inspired colours around for next spring, too.
telegraph.co.uk
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Yaaaay. They're bold and weird... which is why I liked them in the first place.
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