Trends for winter 2008

Plus the cool season’s must-haves

The waist

This season's body hot spot is the waist. Cut a strong shape and cinch in the volume with a waist belt. Try a dress from Cue over a scooped-neck tee from Country Road, then add a wide corset or cinch belt from Cue. Pull on 40-denier opaque hosiery for that liquorice-legs look.

Dressing up

Glamorous long gowns are all about elegance. Wayne Cooper, Pierucci, Lisa Ho and Carla Zampatti have created the most exquisite long, glamorous gowns in bright colours or classic black.

However, the short dress is still a must in every woman's wardrobe. A little dress that layers well and suits the body shape is a great asset in a girl's wardrobe. Check out Leona Edmiston in QueensPlaza. Little Joe by Gail Elliott on James Street have the perfect little grey silk dress - it could go almost anywhere. Worn with tights and chunky shoes, it's the epitomy of modern style. Bettina Liano, Myer Designer, Witchery, Alannah Hill, Veronika Maine, Lisa Ho and Sportsgirl all have gorgeous little dresses.

Texture

Right now, it's all about surface interest. It's showing up in combined textures on boots, shoes, belts and bags as well as in outfits featuring a mix of textiles - silk blouses, stretch dresses, satin trench coats and the like.

Modern

Winter sees a return to clean, timeless classics, modernist labels and grown-up wearable clothes. Little jackets, perfect knits, pencil skirts, pretty blouses are cool-season favourites. Check out the Zac Posen blouses in silk with floppy bows at the neck (Target for Zac Posen). Divine Ginger and Smart dresses can be found at Olive Home in the Wintergarden.

1940s glamour

Take a page from history's style book and hark back to the 1940s, an era of coiffured hair and artfully applied make-up. Your glamour role model: 1940s screen legend Veronica Lake. Take the time to achieve that well-groomed look in make-up and hair. It works well with the clothes.

Colour

We're in for a predominantly black, grey, purple and green season, though the palette includes some bold colours. It's all about block colour in bold hues of orange, green and lots of hot pink - what might have looked scary a few seasons ago now looks mighty desirable.

Every wardrobe needs a splash of colour - it may be a bright pink trench from Wayne Cooper, a violet silk blouse from Carla Zampatti, an orange trench and silk top from Peter Morrissey or a bright yellow, emerald or red piece from all the different brands. If you're frightened to wear colour, add a bright and bold handbag, clutch, pair of leather gloves or just a jacket. Wear two colours or tones of a single colour and add a splash of brightness - e.g. shades of gunmetal and greys with purple, red, emerald or orange.

Vamp it up

Kinky boots, vampish buckles, patent black belts and a dominatrix frame of mind. You're the ultimate urban warrier. Nine West, Myer, Mollini, Midas and David Jones all have shoes for every size, colour and wardrobe style. Flat knee-high boots can make a stunning leggy statement while ballerina flats look good with beautiful hosiery (don't do natural this winter). Too dainty a shoe won't work with even the soft feminine skirts at Alannah Hill. Wear a Mary Jane or a forties style toe-peeper shoe, perhaps two-tone, for that real glam look. The Shoot (combination of a shoe and a boot) is a great accessory for trousers and for dresses and trench coat if the hose is opaque.

Nu-Tec

This is where the future-thinking fashion houses like PRADA and Miu Miu are using complex threads and fabrics to create something completely out of this world. The Nu-Tech look is surfacing in accessories and also in some of the parkas and all-weather jackets. Also, Cue have done a black-on-black patent print fabric skirt, which is part of this look.

Volume

This is going to be big news. We're talking voluminous sleeves at Lanvin and gargantuan coats at YSL. At Dior, the designers haven't gone overboard on volume - except some skirt shapes are fuller and some sleeves more full blown. A good rule of thumb is, if wearing volume on the top part of the body, streamline the bottom or vice versa. Never wear full volume all over. A long evening skirt with volume works well with a body conscious tee or fitted jacket.

Bags

Still large for day and clutch for evening or special occasion. Check out the Nicola Finetti bags at Myer. Midas in Wintergarden has a selection of the new mock croc printed patent clutches - perfect for Race Day and evening wear.

Gloves

Nothing completes a jacket or coat outfit as well as a pair of leather gloves. Look for red leather or some other bright colour at Midas or in the accessories department of David Jones, QueensPlaza.

Hosiery

A major fashion statement for winter 08 - great for covering less-than-perfect legs. Black opaques are best with the new boots and shoes. I recommend 40 denier (matt - definitely no sheen). David Jones, Portmans and Sportsgirl all stock opaques. I buy mine at David Jones.

Designer diffusion

Target have a range of Zac Posen. There are a few good pieces in this special collection from the famous New York designer. Collette Dinnigan's special collection of lingerie for Target has arrived in store and is well worth checking out. Wayne by Wayne Cooper is exclusive to Myer stores. The popular designer Karen Walker has created the Hi There label, which means the fashion-conscious girl can have a piece from this famous New Zealand designer at a very reasonable price. And last, but not least, Sportsgirl are showing a special range of Manning Cartell.

Jeans and pants

Jeans are still a staple - will be forever. Find the right jeans for your shape and buy two pairs. Pants range from narrow to fuller, slouch-style - the choice is yours. Once again, it's about getting what suits your shape and height. And there's plenty to choose from right now.