Flap your capes

Picture it: you are about to step in inside an icicle (an average British winter) and you're wrapped up like a Christmas present - gloves, hat, double tights, thigh-high socks, tight cardigan, jacket, etc. All items on the check list have been ticked.

Now, imagine for a minute that you are a superhero, what key signature piece of clothing did you forget?

Unless you are Catwoman - and in this case all the leather and PVC does the job - you could not imagine facing the world without a cape.

I am fully aware that capes are often assimilated with men wearing underwear over neon tights - and even though AF Vandervost did the 'underwear as outerwear' look in sexy creamy tones at the last shows, this is not what I am suggesting you do: I am a fan but it is far too cold to think of playing with under-layers at the moment.

Cover ups however are needed in any shape or form, and capes could well become the new coat.

They are shorter than your average musketeer or 16th century floaty cape, and more shapely.

I know that capes are by nature thinner than a fur coat, and I am addicted to warmth just as the next person, but I like to believe winter can be more stylish than wool bulging coats and hand-knit scarves.

Capes add structure to the silhouette, and with the superstructure trends lurking about, it will not look out of place.

New Look has a military style cape and Acne does a cape dress.

They are also not as breezy as we would imagine - it is true you might need to add an extra thin jumper under your jacket, but overall a layer is a layer. And if it is a stylish layer all the better.

Bring Thierry Mugler back

As a true child of the eighties, when I hit nine years old, my life ambition was to get enough money to buy a Thierry Mugler shiny, lilac, puffy jacket.

20 years later, the man behind top-heavy, extreme fantastical-fashion is nowhere to be seen. But his influence is certainly still structurally and adventurously felt: think vampires, aliens in PVC and angels squeezed into metal corsets.

I have to admit I am so thankful for the possibility of an 80s variety revival, I am only hoping that it will hit the high-street soon enough…

London is so dull this winter it is time to structure it up. I find it so depressing to come home when it's dark outside, the only outstanding outfit in the tube is an oversize woollen scarf, and the only colour to be seen is the odd citrus-green beret.

Giles makes dresses with satin-ribbon ruffles, Madeira has rigid snow-queen dresses, and why not invest in a winter-garden-style balloon dress (Celine) - they are hard to wear but they will liven up your day if chosen carefully.

As long as it's sparkling and makes a statement, it’s good to go.

I don’t know if it’s me being too sentimental over the Thierry Mugler pieces I never owned, but I always get nostalgic for an 80s eccentricity.

Leg it up for Winter: Hoisiery trends

After a rainy summer and a even rainier autumn, leg is finally on show.

Mini skirts were the trend for June, July and August but they only had a feeble chance at being seen.

However, Antarctic temperature are not such a bad things for our legs anymore.

Hosiery is set to play a big part in getting the key look for autumn winter.

Leggings and tights are overtaking the high-street: from orange to tartan, with spiderweb prints, retro designs or textures that range from PVC to sequin and leather.

They come in all colours and looks and the Olsen twins are already fan. And they are far from being the only ones.

The trend started on the catwalks with designers trying to give the sock and the tight a new twist.

In terms of accessorising the black, white and grey mini-dresses of the winter, everything goes: bright-coloured knee high socks will brighten up a classic dress, and patterned black tights will add some definition to an otherwise dull outfit.

More about leggings before taking the plunge: