The fashion trends we didn't predict

We said Mad Men chic
In theory, retro-style full skirts could have worked. After all, the poster girl for the look, Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks, tricked us into thinking that it could work for women with curves. Plus there was a full-skirted trend ­precedent in the form of prom dresses eight years ago. But the ­Sterling Cooper look just isn’t ­happening. No one has the style dedication to make this work for the office – and at night, black lace seems unbeatable. Blame Emma Watson or the fact that the high street has ­innumerable lovely lace dresses. Photograph: MCP / Rex Features

You said Black lace
Lace insert top, £35, by Topshop, topshop.com Photograph: PR company handout

You said Black lace
Lace dress, £195, by Reiss, reissonline.com Photograph: PR company handout

We said Capes
You gave this one really short shrift, didn’t you? In fashion circles there was talk that this time the look might just take off. Phoebe Philo at Céline said so and she knows how to make women look good. But whaddoyouknow, as it turns out for anyone aged over 20, bags just got in the way, literally. Instead there has been a grass-roots move for grown ups wearing parkas. Cue this month’s micro collection by Valentino for Gap. The ruffled parka is the front-runner for chic but practical coat of the season. Capes indeed. Photograph: Dominique Charriau/WireImage

You said Parkas
Military parka, £59.99, by Uniqlo +J, uniqlo.com Photograph: PR company handout

You said Parkas
Ruffle parka, £149.95, by Valentino for Gap, gap.eu Photograph: PR company handout

We said Kitten heels You said Chelsea boots and crepe-soled wedges
As it turns out, posh kitten heels from Stella McCartney and Isabel Marant became cult very quickly – ie, they sold out before the end of summer. But the high-street ­versions were judged too Kate ­Middleton, too Apprentice to qualify as a Special Fashion Purchase. Shoppers voted with their feet, opting either for the crepe-soled lace-up wedge – walkable but fashiony – or chelsea boots. Both are doing brisk business at Asos.com and Zara. Fact: ­student protesters no longer wear Doc ­Martens, they wear chelsea boots.
Chelsea boot, £59.99, by Zara, zara.com Photograph: PR company handout

You said Chelsea boots and crepe-soled wedges
Wedge boot, £74.99, by River Island, riverisland.com Photograph: PR company handout

We said Elbow-length gloves You said Felted fedoras
It was the silly retro accessory ­gamble of the season. Admittedly, the trend is not dead in the water yet – gloves could enjoy late popularity during party season. What’s more likely is that they’ll end up in the sale bin. Meanwhile, felt fedoras are having a genuine moment. Worn by women along the entire paparrazzi spectrum (from Kate Moss to ­Samantha Cameron), they are the season’s statement accessory. Fashion purists will tell you that Carine ­Roitfeld was wearing them last year, but Urban Outfitters will tell you that they are this month’s ­stylish ­alternative to a scruffy beanie.
Purple hat, £39, by John Lewis, johnlewis.com Photograph: PR company handout

You said Felted fedoras
Grey hat, £50, by All Saints, allsaints.com Photograph: PR company handout

We said Aviator jackets
They looked brilliant on 6ft-tall models and almost every high-street brand produced a version. There was an early flurry of style-savvy folk trying to flog vintage flying jackets on eBay, but the trend fizzled out before it was cold enough to justify wearing one. Now it’s genuinely cold and an exposed bum just isn’t practical. Instead the Euro ski look – quilted jackets with furry hoods – is running away with the season. Think Angelina Jolie accompanying her kids on a playdate. French ski ­label Moncler is the brand to aspire to and Uniqlo is the place to buy one. Photograph: Maurits Sillem/PR company handout

You said Quilted jackets (again)
Black jacket, £39.99, by Uniqlo, uniqlo.com Photograph: PR company handout

You said Quilted jackets (again)
Beige down jacket, £69.50, by Gap, gap.eu Photograph: PR company handout

We said Maxi dresses You said Trousers
The floor-sweeping length is now a bona fide summer classic, so it’s no wonder that insiders thought it might work layered with a jumper and some woollen tights. But a ­nation of shoppers drew the line at the deluxe-grunge look. Why? The look might be charming in theory but soggy hemlines at the bus stop are not. Trousers meanwhile – be they tapered or wide-leg – are winning the wardrobe war by stealth. Investigate Gap, Zara and (if you have the cash) Céline’s new capsule collection, Five Perfect Trousers.
Camel trousers, £95, by Reiss, reissonline.com Photograph: PR company handout

You said Trousers
Navy wool trousers, £130, by Austin Reed, austinreed.co.uk Photograph: PR company handout