A/W 2007 key looks - love it or loathe it

I've just been looking at Vogue's key looks for Autumn/Winter 2007. As usual, I have a take it or leave it attitude to most of it but some looks I could definitely get into.

Love it

The Silhouette

Cinched waists, feminine skirts and forties glamour. This my favourite look. Could this mean the end for tunics and smocks? Hurrah!

Giambattista Valli A/W, Oasis skirt, Matalan belt

Why? This is a look for real women. Emphasise those dangerous curves and show off that figure
The essentials: wide, waist cinching belts, pencil skirts, heels

The event dress

Floor length, show-stoppers. Glamorous, red carpet dresses. Think Dame Shirley Bassey. You'll probably only get to wear it once a year but it'll still be totally worth it.

Valentino A/W, Debenhams Debut dress, Monsoon clutch

Why? Who doesn't want to look like a million dollars?
The essentials: minimal accessories, heels, red lipstick

The skirt suit

It's a bit of jumble here. On the one hand, there are fitted jackets and pencil skirts to the knee, on the other, double- breasted jackets and drindle skirts (gah!)

1. Chanel skirt suit, 2. Next skirt suit, 3. Dorothy Perkins top,
4. Warehouse blouse, 5. Accessorize scarf

Why? Pick what works for you and pan the rest
The essentials: chiffon blouses, scarves, slimline tops

Loose knits

Big jumpers, baggy cardies, chunky knits and Dr Who scarves. Comfy and warm, yes but fashionable?

1. Betty Jackson A/W, 2. Topshop cardigan, 3. Morgan belt, 4. H&M tights,

5. Dorothy Perkins leggings, 6. Morgan cardigan, 7. Dorothy Perkins skinnies

Why? It's a tricky one and it'll be hard not to get swamped but it can be pulled off if worn cleverly. A big long jumper worn off the shoulder over a tank top with tights and boots looks good
The essentials: belts, tights, skinnies, leggings

Metallics

More metal magic is coming our way. The look is high gloss and sheen. Choose between gold, silver and bronze and look out for metallic colours.

Marni A/W, River Island top, ASOS mini-dress

Why? We love the shiny goodness and we're not done yet
The essentials: break it up with black, white or chocolate

Lavish luxe

Sequins and crystals and glitz... Oh my! Don't wear them all at once.

Alberta Ferretti A/W, Dorothy Perkins beret, River Island top and sweater

Why? It's the glitter ball effect. We all just wanna sparkle and have fun
The essentials: sequinned berets and scarves

Primary colours

Bright block colours, head to toe mono-colour in different shades.

Sonia Rykiel A/W, Aldo clutch, Wallis green bangle, Urban Outfitters beret, Topshop blue cuff,

Miss Selfridge floral pendant, River Island tights

Why? I love juicy, zingy, brights and a colour clash gives a stand out edge. I'm loving the idea of wearing one colour head to toe in different shades... so cute.
The essentials:bags, tights and berets. Plastic fantastic necklaces and bangles.

Leather

Leather goes soft and easy. This year you will be mostly wearing... leather dresses and skirts.

Christopher Kane A/W, COS leather dress, Hannah Marshal dress, Fendi skirt

Why? Because the new leather is ultra soft, ultra shapely and full of colour
The essentails: talcum powder (only joking!)

Purple

Back by popular demand from last Autumn, or so it seems.

Emilio Pucci A/W, River Island bag and t-bar shoes, Primark patent shoes

Why? Purple seems to be the filler colour for that phase from summer to autumn. Don't let that put you off though, it's still a nice colour.
The essentials: purple patent accessories

Shoes

Platforms, wedges, stilletoes, lace-ups, anything goes as long as it's high, high, high.

Stella McCartney A/W, Shoe Studio patent, metallic and coloured shoes

Why? I love heels, they make you look taller, put a wiggle in your walk, and make your legs look fantastic. I am ruing the day when I get too old to wear them. Winch me up, Scotty!
The essentials: get patents, metallics and colours


Loathe it

The new length

The midi. Below the knee, on the calf. Some say it's a flattering alternative to the mini, I beg to disagree.

Topshop Unique A/W

Why? If you have short legs: this look is dreadful as it cuts across the fattest part of your calf - not a good look. If you have long legs: you don't want to hide them. Conclusion: this is essentially a look for people with no legs.

Black on black

Head to toe black, mix it up with different textures.

Karl Lagerfeld A/W

Why? It may flatter the figure but black is boring enough without having to wear it head to toe. Think I'll leave this one for the fashionistas.

Military

It's back - brass buttons, epaulettes and Seargent Pepper.

Aquascutum A/W

Why? It's just so boring and ugly and war-like. I just bloody hate it, alright?

Coats

Classic trenches, cocoons, capes... stop me if you've heard it all before.

Stella McCartney A/W

Why? Chances are you already own far too many of these coats. Why buy more?

Tight fit

Body con, short, tight fitting, tube dresses. Think Robert Palmer's 80s-model-drones in the 'addicted to love' video.

Allesandro Dell'Acqua A/W

Why? I can see that it has it's charms but it's not exactly an easy look to pull off, even with a double layer of spanx.

Quilted/padded jackets

These are sort of the direct polar opposite of the body con look. Let's call them fat suits.

Emanuel Ungaro A/W

Why? Ridiculously fat jackets that look like you got eaten by your duvet? While sky diving? No thanks.