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Stay ahead of the pack

The high street's latest arrivals will reinvigorate your wardrobe and stand you in perfect stead for the coming months, says Gemma Hayward

Gemma Hayward
Monday 09 July 2012 01:09 BST
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All that's left on the sale rails right now are the ill-fitting dregs, and a fresh bit of fashion is long overdue.

This week sees drops across the high street, the first wave of the new trends we are set to be fixated with over the coming months, as well as a the launch of a few new concepts to whet our appetites.

Given that the weather is so dismal, we need to start shopping in a different way. Summer togs are already in the bargain bins, while jumpers fill the shelves, and the sun has hardly had a chance to shine. So "out of season" shopping looks set to be a thing of the very near future: buying bikinis in February and thermal underwear in August may well become the norm.

With forecast buying in mind, Topshop has come up with "Made in Britain", a capsule collection of eight coats (priced £125-£275) all cut from British cloth and produced here, and all boasting heritage styling. From military parkas to mannish Crombie's, it's Blighty at its best.

The latest collaboration with London Fashion Week designer Ashish will also be available there: sporting tongue-in-cheek slogans, such as "loser" and "2nd place", it's perfect for those Olympic refuseniks.

Miss Selfridge meanwhile has recognised our restricted budgets and is doing the sensible thing with its capsule "The Collective", a new collection based around the idea of staples and basics. Choose carefully and it's all you'll need for the next few months, whether you're after a peplum dress, sharp shirt or leather biker jacket.

Down the road, River Island is proving to be one of the big-hitters right now, with a never-ending and diverse stream of on-trend pieces. This week sees the arrival of statement costume jewels, body-con crop tops, towering platform wedges and wildly printed leggings, none of which would look out of place in Jessie J's closet.

At Zara things are just as chic as they always are: jewelled collar blouses, studded denim jackets, cowboy boots and leopard-printed kitten heels will ensure an up-to-date look.

Finally Whistles, which may be a little more expensive than your average high-street store but sports-luxe separates and pretty ladylike dresses tick all the boxes for a trans-seasonal wardrobe.

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