Gucci used rich autumnal tones on shirts, skirts, dresses and jackets, giving paisley a whole new lease of life. DKNY, Hermès and Dolce & Gabbana also got involved. The “folk look” is a nod to hippy chic rather than full-on flower-power, so you only need one item to work this trend. Matalan’s chiffon blouse is a failsafe-purchase. Team with skinny black velvet trousers and over-the-knee boots.
Spend: £12
Blouse from Matalan
0845 330 3330 Photograph: PR
For autumn, the defining look was Yves Saint Laurent's show hair. A jet-black, super-short bowl cut as sported by all the models (with co-ordinating slash of black lipstick) is the do of the season. Boots' Ebony Black hair dye should recreate this shade for the credit crunchable bargain of just over three quid
Spend: £3.29
Ebony Black permanent hair dye, from Boots
0845 0708790 Photograph: Pierre Verdy/AFP
Lace has been trumpeted as part of the "new gothic trend". Take a look at the latest Chanel catwalk pics for a cheap take on the trend: lace tights. These are the easiest, cheapest and most grown-up way to partake of the lace action, plus a simple way to snazzy up an LBD.
Spend: £5
Tights, available from New Look
0500 454094 Photograph: Luca Bruno/AP
Dolce & Gabbana and Paul Smith decided to bring headscarves to the masses, as part of "country" ensembles, which saw sensible plaid skirts teamed with thick tartan coats. Wrap the scarf twice round your neck and tie in a loose knot at the front. Source it from gran's or the "accessories" box at the back of the charity shop
Spend: £1
Headscarf from charity shop Photograph: Nathalie Lagreau/Getty
This is surely the most budget-friendly item on the high street - an entire outfit in a single purchase. Balenciaga opted for black and white with its structured two-in-one, while Pringle went for a scoop-necked yellow and grey number. On the high street, Primark has come up trumps with this dress, which neatly manages to incorporate another of autumn-winter's trends - bows
Spend: £12
Two-in-one dress from Primark
0118 9606 300 Photograph: PR
It’s time to get this out of your wardrobe - it will be one of your key pieces this season. Note the emphasis on fine knits, however. This trend involves layering, which is why chunky fabrics will not do. Ralph Lauren and Paul Smith used them under shift dresses, Missoni teamed clashing colours, YSL put them with everything. Indeed, it would be difficult to get this trend wrong.
Spend: £0
Poloneck from your wardrobe Photograph: John D McHugh/AFP
There is a new hue in town, dubbed tomato red by Vogue. It hurtled head-to-toe down the Dior catwalk. Julianne Moore recently worked this look in Savage Grace. Moschino showed a lovely high-waisted skirt (and here comes the cheap bit) styled with a very slender red belt, a look-a-likey of which can be snaffled up right this jolly minute from Urban Outfitters.
Spend: £10
Belt, from Urban Outfitters
Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP
If you were to make an “investment purchase”, it would be sensible to make it a pair of slacks. Burberry caused a mini-stir with its boot-cut shape while YSL went pleated and curvy of leg. On a budget, you can’t go wrong with Gap and its new peg trouser. This trouser style is cleverly new and classic at the same time.
Spend: £35
Peg trousers, from Gap, available from August 16
0800 427789 Photograph: Full Stop Photography
