ByJan Shure, Jan Shure
If you have a profound craving to update your wardrobe but an equally profound desire not to splurge, this is your moment. Because this season's trend for piling on statement accessories means that even the most cautious/recession-hit of us can look totally on-trend with a relatively minimal outlay.
The retro mood that requires a pair of gloves to complete the look, plus two bafflingly impractical winter trends - notably, sleeveless furry gilets and coats with elbow-length (and shorter) sleeves - have made gloves an absolute must-have. Dents has long fabric gloves in plain or leopard-print; Gala has black leather elbow-length with long zips at £109; Fenwick, W1, has elbow length silk lined leather in black, chocolate, red or burgundy at £89.
Another key accessory for late autumn and winter involves fur - mainly faux fur - draped around a coat, jacket,cardi or dress. Topshop has a brilliant not too bulky faux fur stole at £25; Warehouse and River Island have faux fur scarves and stoles from £20.
Statement scarves remain a key look into autumn, and are a clever way to nail the colour and print trends. Choose from long chunky wool striped or cable ones; animal, flower or abstract print scarves; or ladylike silk squares that fit the 1950s vibe. Fenwick W1 stock Lily & Lionel's wool/silk scarves printed with city skylines, as well as Missoni's iconic 1970s signature zig-zag stripe wool, from £99. In a 50s mood, they have printed silk squares by Echo from £49, while Peacocks offer a skinted version - an equine print silky square at £7.
Hats, as we observed last month, are the definitive autumn accessory, graphically illustrated by the ads in the glossies, where every brand, from Armani to Vuitton has a model wearing a fedora, a trilby, a floppy 70s number or a cap. Reiss, Topshop and Oasis all have fedoras in neutrals and brights while Fenwick W1 has Helene Berman's leopard print trilby at £79, as well as tweed caps at £99.
Belts also give an instant up-date to almost any garment. Best are Banana Republic snakeskin, from £35; 1950s cinch-waist, £75 at LK Bennett; and skinny knot belt by Twiggy, £49.
Jewel-bright opaques and lace tights are also a fast fix: Fogal opaques, 30 colours, £22.50 at Fenwick, W1; Topshop, nine colours, £4; black floral mesh, £6, M&S; Jonathan Aston lace, £14.99, tightsplease.co.uk.