THE SKINNY
If your legs are slightly shorter than Penny Lancaster’s, or your thighs slightly broader than Sienna’s, then you need a heel with skinny jeans. Flat pumps look lovely, but only if your legs can take it. If not, this is a good moment to show off a pair of this season’s ankle boots — the shoo-boot/skinny combo will put you right up there in the autumn fashion stakes. Midriff was consigned to the fashion bin of history long ago — this season, it’s all about tunics and layered tops, so pair your skinnies with something drapey (also much kinder on the bottom).
1. Dark blue jeans, £163, by True Religion, from Selfridges; 0870 837 7377.
2. Faded blue jeans, £186, by Tsubi; 020 7251 9003.
3. Black jeans, £37, from River Island; 020 8991 4759.
4. Top, £77, and 5 top, £65, both by Splendid, from Harvey Nichols; 020 7235 5000.
6. Top, £30, from River Island, as before.
7. Red tunic top, £90, by Splendid, from The Cross; 020 7727 6760.
8. Jumper dress, £15, from New Look; 0500 454094.
9. Ankle boots, £12, from George at Asda; 0500 100055
THE HIGH-WAISTED
Advertisement
Not for the faint-hearted, or indeed the large-waisted, but if you can pull it off, then my, you are fashion-forward. Tips for the brave: height helps, so go for a platform heel, and, of course, a round toe, because no self-respecting fashionista is in anything pointy this season. Top-wise, you need something tight that tucks in easily, so this is the perfect time to resurrect the body, 2006-style. Add a scarf and a shrunken jacket for some vintage appeal and you will have the respect of all those around you.
1. High-waist jeans, £35, from Miss Selfridge; 0845 121 4517.
2. High jeans with buttons, £40, from Topshop; 0845 121 4519.
3. High jeans, £120, by Paper Denim & Cloth, from Questionnaire; 020 7385 7300.
4. Scarf, £10, from Miss Selfridge, as before. 5 Top, £10, and;
6. body, £15, both from H&M; 020 7323 2211.
7. Top, £13, from Gap; 0800 427789. 8 Shoes, £85, from Topshop, as before
THE BOYFRIEND
Surprisingly hard to pull off without looking dumpy or as if you haven’t tried. But for those who can’t face a high waist, or are bored with the skinny (or just can’t squeeze them on), this is the ideal alternative. There are two ways to wear them: casual, with a boyfriend shirt or sweatshirt, for that insouciant, “just got out of his bed” look; or elegant, to offset the masculine appeal. For either, a brogue references the androgynous stance well. To do elegant, if your brogue is flat, a 1960s box jacket will soften and feminise the shape. If you choose one with a heel, add a chiffon shirt for a look that will take you nicely through to evening.
1. Blue jeans, £40, from Gap, as before.
2. Dark blue jeans, £130, by Superfine, from Harvey Nichols; 020 7235 5000.
3. Blue jeans, £35, from Topshop, as before.
4. Jacket, £30, from H&M, as before. Shirt, £44, from Monsoon; 0870 412 9000.
5. Shirt, £80, from Whistles; 0870 770 4301
6. Jumper, £44, and shirt, £30, both from Gap, as before.
7. Shoes, £55, by Sacha, from Freemans; www.freemans.com