Style update

Karen Walker. Photo / Supplied

1 Wear something on your head

Be inspired by Marc Jacobs' straw boaters and felt hats, the amazing hat veils at Luella and locally, Deborah Sweeney's Ivy headpiece. Or simply try Gossip Girl Blair Waldorf's accessory of choice, the headband.

2 Focus on the shoulder

Whether it be rounded and exaggerated like the shoulder detail at Balmain, sharp and tailored like Karen Walker, over-the-top and 80s inspired a la Marc Jacobs or Stella McCartney's leg-of-mutton style, the shoulder is fashion's new obsession.

3 Buy a pantsuit

Sharp, grown up and much more interesting than simply throwing on a dress, pantsuits are our favourite tip for autumn. There's a pantsuit for everyone, from relaxed and slouchy (Karen Walker) to skinny and tailored (as seen at Luella).

Who knew that Hillary Clinton would have such a powerful fashion influence?

4 Go nude

You may think of beige and nude tones as rather dull, but designers have made them sexy this season. They are subtle and demure, suggestive of naughty ballerinas - like Juliette Hogan's ballerina pleat dress.

5 Crop your top

As seen on the likes of Diane Kruger, Pixie Geldof and local fashion editor Zara Mirkin. We're not sure we really want to advocate this, but crop tops are back in, apparently. Of course it looks hip on lithe young things, but remember there's a very fine line between looking ironically 80s and simply looking weird. We're not entirely sure when it goes from one to the other, but we think it might go something like this: if you're not a fashion designer, editor, stylist, model or celebrity, don't go there.

6 Bright eyes

Winter fashion is traditionally dark and subtle, but sometimes you just need a burst of colour to lift you out of the doldrums. Blocks of bold colour were popular on the runways and in the front row; think royal blue, lime green, bright yellow, fiery oranges and pink.

7 Buy a silk scarf

It's the easiest - and possibly cheapest - way to update your look. Wear it around your head like Edie Beale, or channel the Queen Mum and tie it primly around your neck, as seen at Dolce & Gabbana.

8 Lace it up

Last year it was the shoe boot, which is admittedly pretty damn ugly. This year fashion has a crush on the lace-up boot, finishing slightly higher. It's entirely possible that next year we will look back at this and wonder what the hell we were thinking, but hey, that's fashion.

9 Update your hosiery drawer

From woollen ribbed tights to lace stockings, and every other texture you can find. Karen Walker has woollen tights in neutral shades in her stores, Lonely Hearts have done lace leggings and new Auckland boutique Children of Vision is stocking fantastic socks from label Hansel from Basel - think knee-highs with knee pads, ankle socks and socks with buttons. We've noticed quite a lot of deliberately ripped stockings around too, but this looks far too Avril Lavigne for us.

10 Buy a statement coat

A coat that stands out should be on your winter checklist - for inspiration see Shopfront on page 13.

11 Get into some chunky knits

80s style may have been popular overseas recently but locally, designers are more into the 90s. Lonely Hearts, Deadly Ponies and Kate Sylvester have both featured amazing bold chunky knits in their winter ranges, combining warmth and hotness, something we like a lot.

12 Turn underwear into outerwear

Try a vintage lace bodice as a top, or buy tops with subtle corsetry detailing, as seen everywhere from Kate Sylvester to Kmart.

13 Crop your pants

Wear them skinny and cropped just above the ankle.

14 Do your hair

Glamorous chignons were all over the catwalks recently; think Joan, the put-together sex kitten secretary in Mad Men. It's a welcome change from the lo-fi bohemian and grungy looks that will also be popular for winter.

15 Ring it

Wear a handful of cocktail rings, the more extravagant the better. Whether it be a luxury designer ring or a cheapie from the likes of jewellery chainstore Diva, it's an easy way to change your look.

16 Blaze-r it up

Blazers are a classic investment piece that will never go out of style. That's fashion speak for "buy one". This season there are a multitude of options, whether you like yours longer and boyfriend style or cropped and tailored. We like Twenty-seven Names' cream "Patti" blazer, Karen Walker's bright blue blazer, Nom.d's various versions, and...well pretty much every blazer we lay our eyes on.

17 Black lace woman

Channel your inner Stevie Nicks with black lace, velvet, maxi dresses and flowing bell sleeves for a perfect soft goth look.

18 Over-the-top shoes

You've heard that It bags are over, and there were cries of jewellery being the new statement piece - but now designers are throwing all they've got into over-the-top footwear. Buy heels that will make people stare at you on the street, or if you really want to be ahead of the game, a pair of over-the-knee boots (as seen recently at Prada, Chloe, Louis Vuitton and Costume National). For inspiration see Shopfront, page 14.

19 Drop your crotch

They've been around for a season or two now, but harem pants don't seem to be going anywhere. Kirrily Johnston has done a great pair of pants for Max with a subtle dropped crotch, and Karen Walker has done a chambray pair that's less harem and more casual Friday.

20 Smile

Smiles don't seem to make much of an appearance in fashion land - it's much cooler to appear moody and po-faced - but a model did smile when she walked the runway at the Stella McCartney show at Paris Fashion Week earlier this month. Can we see more of that this winter please?