KEY POINTS:
Do not adjust that dial. Next up on Trendsetter Radio we have the top six songs that your wardrobe will be humming to this winter. And yes, it's all hits, no cheese and only a few retro repeats.
#6 Rehab - from 2006, by Amy Winehouse
Ignore the singer's skeletal frame, misguided habits and crazed behaviour. And don't be wearing your bra down the streets of Auckland after a party-filled night, thanks. While whistling this, you will be wearing a high-waisted, skinny trouser in a 50s style, a higher hem and cropped leather jacket.
Also take from poor old Amy something sparkly, something leathery (not her husband - she needs him) and something a little retro and rock'n'roll. And don't be surprised to find yourself adding 60s swoops to your eyeliner and trying to make your fringe stand up in a quiff, too.
The look: satin, tight jeans, high waists, pencil skirts, miniskirts, short shorts over stockings, catsuits, ankle boots, vintage T-shirts.
#5 U Can't Touch This - from 1990, by MC Hammer
It's "hammer time" in the trouser department, people. Oddly shaped pants are everywhere, from disco-revival baggies to pony-loving shapes. Some of these may require a little sartorial courage. On the other hand, they're possibly easier to get into than high-waisted, skinny leg jeans.
The look: jodhpurs, low-crutch trousers, harem pants, high waists. Wear them with high, high heels and a simple top and you'll look extraordinarily sophisticated.
# 4 Like A Virgin - from 1984, by Madonna
Even though the iconic popstar has sensibly moved on - for instance, she's recently designed a collection for Swedish chain store, H&M, that is apparently modest, elegant and stylish - this season, hip young folk will be more interested in Madonna's look back in the day. In the early 1980s she co-opted a bunch of elements from out of the much harder punk scene, mixed them with a bit of bogan, her own brand of Catholic guilt and vintage lingerie. A few years later, during 1989's Blonde Ambition tour, for which Jean Paul Gaultier designed the costumes, she went all body conscious, with tight but sophisticated dresses, big shoulders and scraped-back hair, as well as corset-inspired tops with those breast cones so pointy they'll take your eye out.
Both looks are happening this winter with labels like Lonely Hearts, Stolen Girlfriend's Club and Mala Brajkovic paying the former compliments and a variety of corset-inspired, bustier and strapless tops and tight dresses from local labels like Nom*D and Jaimie harking back to the latter look.
The look: zips, studs, leather, metallics, leggings, acid wash and pale denim, bright colours, PVC, ripped sweatshirts and oversized T-shirts, lingerie worn as outerwear. But not torn or trashy, it's generally sophisticated.
# 3 I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK - from 1969, The Monty Python Show
Funny little ditty, huge trend for checks and plaids. It could be the way that the predicted grunge revival has filtered down into fashionable consciousness. It could be a touch of late 80s punk coming through. Or it might just be a simple womanly desire to add a bit of rough to the wardrobe. But there's no doubt checks and plaids have made their way into every part of your wardrobe.
The look: Lumberjacks are big, rough fellows with axes. Most women don't want to look like that. So the plaids and checks are cleverly softened - for instance, on a soft, feminine fabric or in the form of mini-dress.
# 2 In Rainbows - from 2007, by Radiohead
While getting dressed up in your paint splattered prints, smudgy colours and unusually shaped outfits, you could play this whole album. Why? Because it's mostly been called art rock and is therefore an ideal accompaniment to the arty or unusual fashion that's around this winter.
Some of the art-inspired outfits are fairly obvious - the designers pay definitive homage to certain painters or schools of art, surrealism being a favourite. Other examples are more oblique.
The look: oddly shaped clothing, unusual twists of fabric, exaggerated features like shoulders of waists, statement shoes that are not made for walking as well as painterly printed fabric. A top or dress featuring an interesting print will be easy for everyone to wear. The more unusual items could be treated as special, statement pieces and most likely you'll need to dress to make the best of them.
# 1 God Save the Queen - from around 1744, the unofficial English anthem
Yes, that Queen - the one who's older than most of you and wears matchy-matchy outfits, including shoes, bag and hat. It's all a rather delightful little trend, known as "young frump". It involves women of all ages wearing prematurely ageing clothes.
Take note: hip model of the moment, the gamine Agyness Deyn, says that the Queen is her role model too. She told a British newspaper: "I love her Barbour jacket and welly thing when she goes out walking her dogs. Ladylike, but a bit quirky." Which sums this trend up nicely.
The look: Sensible tea dresses, heavy framed glasses, ruffles, smocks, pinafores, floral blouses and Mary Jane-style shoes. The fitted suit and pretty 40s-style jacket also makes a comeback, as well as capes and cardigans. The key is to de-Nana the look with something youthful or tough - a floral smock with Doc Martens. The other option is to go all ladylike with everything fitted and tailored.
