Key trends for AW15- AKA "please help me avoid looking frumpy in AW15"

[DinosaursRoar]

S&B types - save me from a uniform of skinny jeans, long-sleeved t-shirts with boots and a floaty scarf.

What will stylish types wearing this autumn/winter that I can try to tweek my current wardrobe (as I'm also skint so this has to be shoestring fashion) so I don't look quite so much like a SAH 30-something Mum of 2 who lives outside the M25 who used to make an effort...

Are we all going to be wearing a sea of burgandy again this year?

mrslebon, you forgot tweed! I suggest a knee length A line tweed skirt or a pinafore , either of which you can pair with a turtle neck or a pussy cat bow blouse. Oh and you can choose either ankle boots or knee highs + i suggest a suede or leather 3/4 length jacket. Now what sort of accessories ? Suggestions please?

amarmai - you miss the shoestring bit! - but good ideas, I have a some tweed (time to diet to get back in it!). What sort of boots are we doing? I need new brown knee highs...

If we're doing "nod to 70s" I guess accessories need to be gold and chunky, which would work well with tweeds and reds...

brown knee highs would look fine, but i am picturing brown suede+ leather patchwork ankle boots . Gold and chunky sounds right for the jewelry!

ooh, if you see any, do link! I have looked at a few more flares options and I'm coming round to the idea, but think it'll need a lot of trying on to get the right length, no just hiding them being a bit too long or short inside boots, it's going to be ankle flappers or soggy hems in puddles if not quite right...

I might go the cropped trouser/cullottes and knee high boots route, that does look rather cute, but could venture in to looking a bit like I'm off to shoot at some small creature with the Downton lot if I'm not careful...

I've seen a lot of deep orangey rust coloured blouses and jumpers in at the moment, looks like this may be one of big colours this year...

The pantone color of the year 2015 is marsala, that's why you see it everywhere. Often paired with lime an teal

Accessories are an easy way to update and can give a suggestion of 70s rather than full on vintage. Maybe skinny scarves or faux fur, which would give an instant update/reference 70s? If you don't want to wear flares you could change skinnies for straight leg or girlfriend jeans. Skinnies are great for tucking into warm boots in winter, though.

I really like burgundy and already have quite a bit. If you are short of funds charity shops often have tweed/velvet things in. The denim skirt sounds good as you could wear now and then with tights/boots for autumn.

Orange can be tricky to carry off with out a tan...

Sorry, that was to the point before!

Yes, denim skirt could work well. Have a lot of burgundy too, is very flattering and goes with a lot of other colours.

Accessories might be the best start. Thank you!

Dinosaur you took the words right out my mouth when you said the silhouette is changing, when I'm shopping for tops to wear with skinnies, then I need length and volume, which obviously won't work with flares!

Petal - yes, think that's what's going to be hard. Thankfully I bought a few tighter long sleeved t-shirts and thin tighter jumpers to wear as layers so not volumous, so hopefully can make those work with wider legged trousers/A line skirts...

I was looking at my large collection of boyfriend cardies and thinking they'll just look frumpy this year.

Ah, I wondered where the term 'marsala' had come from! Esprit sent me an email going on about marsala. Love it.

Yay to burgundy, loads of it in the shops already And I'm pleased to hear brown is coming back - about bleeding time although I hope it's that really dark, espresso brown not some shitty tan shade.

That's a very flattering colour that would go with a lot of stuff!

right, we've got so far:
red in all shades
marsala
70s
tweed
goth/victoriana, but not seen anywhere selling that sort of look in their AW15 so far, guess that might become more of a christmassy look...

I've seen nods to goth/Victoriana in River Island and Top Shop so far.

River island! I always forget about them even though some of my best "lasting a few seasons and looking far more pricy than it was" jumpers and skirts are from them! Will have a little look, thank you for the reminder.

Was thinking victoriana looks would work well for autumny nights out...

I've just had a burnt orange, terracotta and brick red ebay binge, and already have burgundy in my wardrobe.

I'm wearing last years boots, sticking with slim & skinny jeans (just flogged my bootcuts, cannot stand the look of them on me nowadays), got a couple of longer length cardigans, and putting away my stripy tops as soon as summer is over. Have also vowed to sort outfits the night before (or even a couple of days in advance if I know the weather, its very un predictable here) and wear at least one accessory (scarf, jewellery, hair accessory, whatever goes). I got a plaited headband I'm looking forward to wearing, hopefully this will count as a 70s nod

I cant get on board with anything fringy or furry, but I've seen a few nice suedey skirts. Not sure they'll work well with a toddler though. I'd love a patchwork skirt in suede, brown/red shades!

Just got a lovely oversize slouchy bag in brown leather. There were a couple of things in my ebay haul with a slight Aztec vibe, which I really like but I didn't want to go too OTT on that cos I thought it was more of a summer thing?

I agree with never buy too early in the season, Mary. Mainly because in my neck of the woods I'm sure they try to palm off last years crap on us unsuspecting country bumpkins, before all the new stuff hits our shops!

I hate brown.

Early suggestions are that "marron" is in. Browny maroon.

I like burgundy. Can't be doing with brown though.

Boo, I can't/won't wear any of these colours. So it'll be another winter in grey, navy and pink for me.

Any ideas about alternatives to polo necks for those of us who are extremely large of chest? Polo necks make me look ridiculous because I have a round face, short neck and massive boobs.

I'm not sure I've ever been on trend. Any opinions on this even thought it's M&S.

I'm glad to hear that shirt dresses are likely to be around. I've been looking for the perfect black cotton or cotton/silk mix one for years, to no avail.

KV - it's a no from me for the M&S skirt, sorry. I don't like faux suede and I'm not fond of the colour of that, either.

Damn already done most of my autumn shopping and missed all these trends with the exception of a bit of burgundy but then i dont think i am ever on trend! Should have consulted you style and beauty fashionistas first!