Trend Report Autumn/Winter 09

We’re all avoiding the fact that winter is not too far around the corner, but hopefully this little sneak peek at what we’ll be wearing will help you come to terms with the impending cooler weather.

Thanks to fabulous fashion and style website, http://www.fashionising.com/ we now have a much clearer picture of the 2009 Trends, and oh the future looks bright!

Bohemian Luxury or Foho (Folk/Boho) is a key look for the cooler months. Think peasant-style influences of billowy sleeves and folk-style embroidery and traditional fabric prints. Fur and fringe-trimmed pieces complete the look as does a mop of sexy bed hair and smoky, smudged eye makeup.

Following on from Spring 08’s Genie pant comes the ‘Peg-Leg’ pant. These cropped pants are full at the hip and fitted through the calf and the ankle. Work them with a pair of killer heels (is there any other kind?) and a blazer for ultra chic city style.

The Military Trend shows its face once more, but this time it sports sleek lines and luxurious embellishments that are worthy of a cavalcade. Channel The Beatles and have some fun with this Sergeant Pepper revival!

Another dominant trend will be the return of Plaid & Tartan prints – think looks inspired by an afternoon at the country club or Sherlock Holmes trench-style coats with a fashionable twist. Adopt subtle variations of this trend to avoid looking too stuffy.

An SP favourite this winter is the continuing Feathers and Plumage Trend. Nothing says luxury like a stunning feather gilet and one of our SP designers has a stunning taste of what’s to come … Check out Aurelio Costarella’s amazing dip-dyed Ostrich feather gilet. It’s an investment piece but we guarantee it will stay in your wardrobe until this hot trend comes around for the next time.

Despite our uncertainty, the Boyfriend jeans trend is here for 2009. We all saw Katie Holmes’ attempt to work this look recently and quite frankly it wasn’t anything inspirational, but we’re not even sure how this look can be improved on either! Prove us wrong - borrow your boyfriend’s jeans, belt them in tight so they don’t fall down and roll up the hems. It’s baggy, it’s saggy ... but it does give us extra street cred on what would usually be deemed ‘bad style days’.

High-heels continue to double as artwork for our soles with 2009 seeing our tootsies adorned with jewels, feathers, beads and baubles. Streamlined stilettos make their return, taking over from the chunkier statement heels of last season and bringing an air of elegance to winter dressing. We’re actually spoilt for choice this season as you can feel free to choose from squared-off toes, sharp pointed toes, lace-up shoes and boots, croc skin, fringe trims, tapered heels, over-the-knee boots, and even open-toe shoes with stockings! Yes, that’s right, it’s no longer a crime punishable by the fashion police, open-toe shoes with stockings – even ripped ones – are completely on-trend this winter! I never thought we’d see the day …