Ready to Wear Trends for Autumn Winter 2006

Key Look - Grunge Glamour

Yes, really, Glamour per-say, was strident across the board, but even when the look was more relaxed, it was polished and glitzy, with metallic leathers, jazzy furs, shimmering fabrics, dramatic accessories and floor sweeping hemlines (not to mention all that give away headgear!). grunge Glamour or glamour Grunge, you decide!

Key Colour - Dusk through Dawn

From a front row perspective it was obvious early on that Blacks would thunder down the autumn catwalks, thus continuing a trend that has run away with itself. Meekly rising through this, were plenty of dramatic rich tones and textures, suggesting a more optimistic take on fashions dark obsession. Shimmering shot silks, colours bleeding under shrouds of black chiffon, midnight blues of crushed velvet and shiny patent leathers all settled into this sumptuous trend.

Key Garment - Eiderdown Jacket

Your regular puffa, No. Fashion has hijacked this most mundane of garments and elevated it to an item of style and glamour.

Key Silhouette - Bubble

Following the Puff Ball, Tulip skirt and Fluted sleeve, the silhouette has blown up quite literally, offering a bubble outline at any point along the body. Cloud like cape jackets and nebulous sleeves, coats that curve around to cocoon the body, and even trousers that billowed out like half filled balloons.

Key Dress - Sweater Dress

More than just a passing glance at the Eighties, resulted in a plethora of that decades iconic separates in autumn collections, no surprise then to see a more than usual number of designers sending out the Sweater Dress.

Key Fabric - Plaids

Perhaps a reverential nod at the renewed interest in Anglo Mania and Cool Britannia, Plaids are very much the fabric of fashion for autumn.

Key Detail - Tiered Hemline

Volume is where it's at for this seasons silhouettes, and where trim waists and body hugging forms go against this trend volume is built into tiered hems, giving A-line, pleated and hourglass shapes an up to date flare.

Key Accessory - Soft Helmet

Prada has the most literal and humorous take on this trend, but each of these looks reach the intended chic rating. However unless teamed with the appropriate wardrobe, from honed head to polished toe, it may well have the opposite effect!

Key Beauty - Strong Brow

A strong brow is called for to compliment this seasons beauty trends, whether for sixties retro, 80's Goth or modern glamour. Lips and skin remain pale or natural, letting eyes say it all for autumn 2006.

Key Shoe - Platform with Chunky Heel

As Wedges wane, the chunky heel gives a fresher look to platforms, which by the way are getting higher!