The perfect dozen: Twelve key trends for the season ahead

Chunky knits

Whether strewn with sequins or knitted into cosy cables or intricate intarsia, the humble jumper has been upgraded for winter – and it’s a good thing, too: have you seen the price of gas these days? Turn the central heating down and cuddle up in a winter warmer.

Hats

Hats this season are huge in every sense. The oversized furry ones and cartoon clothes created by Stephen Jones for Marc Jacobs’ own show and his Louis Vuitton extravaganza might not translate that well to a trip to the corner shop, but Bernstock Speirs’ veiled beanie still makes quite the statement. £70, bernstockspeirs.com

Punk

Forget all you’ve heard about safety pins and spittle, this season’s fashion punk is far more polished than its earnest 1970s forebears and, let’s be honest, slightly shallower, too. Silver spikes, studs and skulls can all be found throwing bold jewellery into sharp relief while elsewhere zips and chains add a heavy metal element.

Red

Brick, tomato, rust or oxblood: whatever you want to call it, red accents abound for autumn. Whether you choose one statement piece or accessorise with them, this season’s reds are a little “off” – less obvious scarlet or crimson, more obscure tones that border on orange and mahogany.

Metallics

Metallic eye shadows can be flattering, as the light-reflecting particles softly shimmer away. Careful that you don’t go too Abba, though.

Puffer jackets

Previously the province of dog walkers and that bloke from The Fast Show, the puffer made  it on to the winter catwalks, reinterpreted with print and tailoring at Peter Pilotto and made grungy at Alexander Wang. Finally, fashion that’s practical.

Capes

Say a farewell to arms this season as designers rediscover their love of capes. Not terribly practical if you have a lot to carry, but a sleek alternative to a bulky winter coat. Vanessa Bruno’s version comes in a very now (and very next season) shade of forest green. £695, Vanessa Bruno, net-a-porter.com

Military colours

This perennial winter trend still hasn’t been given its marching orders, and it’s clear to see why.  A serried row of gleaming brass buttons on a well-cut wool coat in khaki or black is just the tonic for when an ill wind begins to blow.

Trousers

Printed, metallic, cropped, flared, skinny  – it may seem obvious but trousers are on trend for winter.

Tailoring

There’s a masculine mood in womenswear this season, and  while Céline’s crisply tailored separates remain the stuff of dreams, for most at  least, the high street  has certainly upped its game. Parisian brand The Kooples  has that sexy Gallic thing down to a tee with its tuxedo styling and silky shirts; thekooples.co.uk

Seventies

These days the King’s Road may be the red-trouser-brigade’s stomping ground, but in the 1970s it  was populated by bright young things who’d dropped out in India and found themselves along the way. Channel that Chelsea with louche, vaguely psychedelic prints on loose pyjama-style pieces.  If it looks like your nan’s wallpaper, you’re on the right track.

Sports

Perhaps it’s post-Olympic fervour, but the sporty look is big for autumn 2012. Capture it perfectly and preppily with Whistles’ varsity-style baseball  jacket – which can be personalised with your own initials in-store at no  extra charge, while stock lasts. £295, whistles.co.uk