She's gotta have it

ready to wear

The autumn/winter collections are upon us. We'll see many "new" looks: shoulder pads, grey, power suits, stilettoes... But instead of showing you these just yet, we asked various prominent fashion people what their Autumn/Winter "must-haves" would be. And this is what they said.

Sarah Walter, Fashion Director, Marie Claire: "I have chosen this Ann Demeulemeester black wool suit - it's the best suit ever. I'd wear it for ever. The single-breasted jacket and low-slung, hipster trousers, underlines everything this winter's collections are about. It's casual but extremely stylish, and her clothes are the perfect fit for me. The grey, V-neck tank top by John Lewis is cheap but brilliant and great quality. I have a pair of Jimmy Choo, knee-high, black suede, stiletto boots which are two seasons old but they still look great and make me feel like a vamp, which is perfect for this season"

Black jacket (sizes 40-44), pounds 545, and matching trousers, pounds 255, both Ann Demeulemeester, Liberty, 214 Regent Street, London W1, 0171 734 1234. Grey tank top (sizes 24-46 chest), pounds 9.95, John Lewis, 278 Oxford Street, London W1, and Winslow Road, Cheadle, Cheshire. Enquiries: 0171 629 7711

Annalisa Barbieri, Contributing Editor, Independent on Sunday: "A Patagonia fishing vest. I've wanted one for ages, since I end up having to put all my flies and bits and pieces in my pockets - which fair ruins the line of my waders. I became further determined to get one when I saw Vince Vaughn in the The Lost World: Jurassic Park wearing a waistcoat with lots of pockets (but his was a photographer's one). Everyone lost their bags while they were being chased by dinosaurs, but he had all his stuff with him in his waistcoat, and I thought that was really cool. Plus, it makes me feel like a war correspondent. However, I would change the traditional sheepskin fly patch for a fly trap one from Orvis, because the hooks get all caught up in the sheepskin one. Then, I like these Nike Air Moccasins because they remind me of rock-climbing shoes and are really comfortable - they are like wearing pasties on your feet. But I'd get mine from LL Bean (0800 962 954 for a catalogue) because they're much cheaper."

Patagonia fishing vest, style no 82692 (sizes S-XXL), pounds 109.95. Mail order: 0181 213 6034. Nike air mocs (sizes 5-12), pounds 90, Duffer of St George, 29 Shorts Gardens, London WC2, 0171 379 4660

Sally Courtis, Senior Fashion Editor, Elle: "I have chosen this black, single-breasted, leather coat from Warehouse because it's a fantastic cut, good-quality leather and a brilliant buy at pounds 250. I'd wear the coat with a Lurex top because I like the eclectic look - the combination of different textures mixed together. I always buy classic black crepe trousers by Pearce Fionda, because of the way they are cut - they seem to flatter my shape. I like these stilettoes as they're not too pointed and the heel is manageable."

Black leather coat (sizes 8-16), pounds 250, and black Lurex top, pounds 22, both Warehouse, 19-21 Argyll Street, London W1. Enquiries: 0171 278 3491. Black suede shoes, pounds 54.99, Office London, as before. Black crepe trousers (sizes 8-14), pounds 325, Pearce Fionda, Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1. Enquiries: 0171 609 6470

Zoe Brown, Fashion Stylist, Independent on Sunday: "I fell in love with this jacket because of the cut and the combination of beautiful colours in the fabric. The berry, lilac and fuchsia will certainly brighten up my very dreary winter wardrobe. It's also perfect for wearing during the day and in the evening, so it's well worth the money. I've chosen the black stiletto brogues because they are a cross between a sensible and ridiculous shoe - it's not going to stop me attempting to trot around town in them this winter."

Oriental flower jacket (sizes 8-14), pounds 195, 12-14 St Christophers Place, London W1, and 15 Princes Square, Glasgow. Enquiries: 0171 487 4484. Black leather brogue stilettoes (sizes 36-40), pounds 54.99, Office London, 43 Kensington High Street. London W8. Mail Order/ Enquiries: 0181 838 4447

Nicola Jeal, Associate Editor, Evening Standard: "My must-haves for this autumn would be these fabulous Manolo Blahnik stiletto ankle boots - they can be worn with a skirt or trousers. Then I'd say a crombie coat, from APC - theirs is a brilliant shape and perfect to update your wardrobe. I also think Warehouse have done some fantastic pieces this season - this grey, knee-length dress, I'd probably wear it with the coat."

Black leather ankle boots (sizes 37-40), pounds 365, Manolo Blahnik, 49 Old Church Street, London SW3, 0171 352 8622. Black wool coat (sizes S,M,L), pounds 265, APC, 124 Draycott Avenue, London SW3, 0171 225 0364. Grey wool dress (sizes 8-16), pounds 45, Warehouse, 19-21 Argyll Street, London W1. Enquiries: 0171 278 3491

Kate Phelan, Senior Fashion Editor, Vogue: "My must-have for autumn would have to be this Jil Sander cashmere coat. I love the doubleface cashmere and the loose, untailored feel to it. It fits into the fashion camps of being worn with white shirt and mannish trousers for the androgynous look, or belted and worn with a sweater and boots like a wrap dress for the simple minimal look, or dressed up - left open worn over a sparkle antique dress for a more eclectic look. Even though the coat looks untailored it is cut quite slim, so it feels like a coat, a cardigan, a jacket and a dress."

Black cashmere coat (sizes 8-14), pounds 2,095, Jil Sander, Browns, 25 South Molton Street, London W1, 0171 493 1230