Winter Trend Summary

It may be difficult to get your head around the new trends for fall/winter 2005/6, especially with spring and summer still to get through. But it's always a good idea to be one step ahead of the rest. For one, it makes bagging the best items so much easier if you know what to look for.The most crucial winter purchases have been lined up by Vogue, following this seasons shows.

Number one on the list is the coat, which should be a striking long, belted affair. There should be no limit - except perhaps a monetary one - to the amount of cocktail dresses you stock up on, as well as stack-heeled boots, skinny trousers and velvet and metallic brocade galore.

According to Sue Patneaude, executive vice president of designer apparel at US luxury department store Nordstrom, there is "no predominant theme" for the coming winter season. As she said to WWD: " The season is refined and glamorous with with lace embroidery and sequins usedi n subtle, couture-like ways. It's very pretty."

If you want to define yourself as a real connaisseur, the experts recommend aquiring a pretty cropped jacket, a full skirt that falls below the knee, a minute mini for those with the legs and the chutzpah, a sweater dress (think Galliano at Dior, Stella McCartney, McQueen or Giles Deacon), an edgy jacket, cropped trousers and heels that tie around the ankle with a thick coloured ribbon.

The biggest trend is the new volume in clothes. Skirts are wide, pleated or folded to add ever-increasing volume. This type of style can be incredibly unforgiving on real women's bodies. The trick is, if it doesn't make a skinny catwalk model look thin, imagine what it will do to you. Always remember: pleats and folds in strict moderation. And if you want to avoid this trend altogether, you can go for the skinny as provided for by Balenciaga.