Leaving behind the layering and voluminous tendency of seasons past, the current fashion for Autumn Winter 2007 will move forward to a new array of fresh new silhouettes, bold basic colours and modern hemline lengths. Simplicity and elegance calls out in a season that can be described as minimalist with a touch of bold and with interesting shapes and colours.

The key theme of the new fashion look will always be Glamour, which translates itself into a new sophisticated take seen on longer hemlines, cinched waists, stronger shoulders and lady-like long 40’s style dresses.

And with full blown glamour as its pillar, the main essentials of Autumn fashion will be embellishment, bright colours and shine, with its major themes being chic coats, menswear inspired fashion, military tailoring, big knits, 40’s retro glamour, black on black and plaids.

SLIM SILHOUETTES

Forgetting the bubble and trapeze shapes of spring, fashion is reworking itself by narrowing its contours into shapes that bellow out words like slim, belted and tailored. Finally forgetting her inclination for billowing and wider shapes, the modern woman will choose to wear pieces that hug her figure and call out for full blown glamour and sophistication.

Form fitting pants and pencil skirts outline a slimmer figure, and long lean jackets alongside belted coats clearly adhere to the trend started by Marc Jacobs. A perfect canvas for the new glamorous feel of the season, slimmer cuts will render themselves as the new shape of future fashions.

40’s GLAMOUR

With glamour clothing reminiscent of screen goddesses, grown up dressing up will be the way forward for the 2007 Autumn season. Floor-length gowns that remind us of 40’s sirens clad in sexy satin or short knee length satin cocktail frocks, the new dress shape celebrates the female form. Belted knee length midi dresses emphasize the hourglass figure that is de rigour in the fall season.

These hues are even energised to the extreme with the use of Technicolor shots of acid shades. Neon tones of orange, pink and green give a bold and contemporary edge to clothing.

And with cinched waists and figure hugging pencil skirts, the new sexy lady-like silhouette brings back a classic in the shape in the secretary suit. Cropped or tailored jackets that can be double breasted, alongside pencil skirts that are cut to the knee, which teaming with sky high heels and lace-up boots brings full blown glamour into daytime fashion.

SHINE

Fashion has taken its past seasons penchant for all metallics further this season, by teaming up gold, silver and brass with crystal embellishments and the glistening of wet-look patent.

Shimmers and sparkles in the form of liquid silver and molten gold will gleam and shine in clothes that appear elegant and rich. Gunmetal greys, anthracite, bronze and copper add strength to the already familiar molten gold and silver.

And together with metallics, the fall season will take its love for shimmer even further with the clever use of wet patent and crackled leather alongside embellishment in tunics and crystals and sequence will add dazzle to a very sophisticated look.

BIKER BABES

Soft falling gathers and pliable and beautiful cuts brings a fresh quality to traditional pieces, giving a usually tough looking material a more girly and soft modern look. And the addition of texture and colour modernise even further the trend.

PLAIDS AND CHECKS

As a perennial fall look, plaids rework themselves this season to create a punk take. Working itself into jackets and coats, as well as dresses and bags, this everlasting key look is sure to modify itself.

COATS

The coat is the main piece in our ensembles this Autumn/Winter season. Always deemed as a last minute necessity, this piece of our wardrobes has found centre stage in the new season. From strict tailored and fitted shapes to cocoon and trapeze voluminous silhouettes, most fashionistas will end up owning more than one cover up piece.

The new coat will become a statement piece oozing with glamorous chic, with strong and bold colours and with belted styles and shorter lengths. The trench coat will render its massive influence to the more sleek futuristic shapes, and cocoon and cape styles will be the most popular shapes.

ARMY AND NAVY

Military and navy style fitted coats in black, navy or olive and khaki will be a sure hit. Sharp cuts with stud trims, leather pieces, brass metal buttons and braids are the main elements of this key trend.

Glitzy embellishment reminiscent of Sgt Pepper and red and gold accents give a glamorous take to pea coats and long trench jackets. Navy double breasted jackets have full impact on this look. And collar details like stiff lapels and stand up styles alongside epaulettes work subtle navy and army touches into the key piece of the season.

MEANSWEAR LOOK

Menswear being a trend that comes back time and time again, for the Autumn Winter 2007 season it impregnates itself with the new glamorous vibe. Think 40’s Katherine Hepburn, where androgynous dressing takes a very sophisticated and sexy take.

With high-waisted tailored pants and tuxedo styles, trousers take a new look with wider legs and soft pleats. Worn with manly skirts, vests and combining it with the new military blazers, the look becomes more feminine with soft blouses, and chunky knits.

RETURNS OF PANTS

After several seasons with the dress as centre stage, this time trousers have taken major importance. From wide to lean and long, going through cropped pants teamed with opaque tights and lace up boots, and even jodhpurs, this basic piece will be taken from a basic staple to a key element of Autumn fashion. Elaborate buttons and pockets give detailing to the variety of silhouettes.

BIG KNITS

Extravagant chunky knits are the way forward this winter. Bigger jumper dresses in larger sizes, chunky rib effects cardigans or knitted ruffles, it’s all about texture and detail. Originality with 3D effects, roses, bows, or even Inca patterns give bulk to add warmth in knits.

Heavy knits have become the latest evening coat alternative. Cosiness is created by oversize knit stitches made from wide yarns. And as sweaters are transformed into modern dresses and cable knits into trench coats, belting up oversized sweaters give them a sexy look.

In a season full of contrast, we can see a full on shift from glamour to street-smart, from skinny to full volume, and from 60's and 80's to the future. In a spring season where bold colours and full-on fashion dominates and where trends are taken to the extremes, we can surely label it a season a where transition rules the way.

GRAPHIC PRINTS

As a continuation to the summer trend of coloured patterns, graphic prints render dresses and tops a different edge. Paisley, spots or graffiti and even geometric prints on satin, bright and bold colours give a glamorous feel to Fall/Winter collections.

However, simplicity is the key, and most important is to wear delicate designs with simple and unfussy lines, avoiding jewellery and complements, and keeping the look simple, letting the print do the talking.

BLACK ON BLACK

With the use of textures and superposition of fabrics and tones, Autumn takes the basic black into a new dimension. Matt black against shiny, dull black against shimmery black, black velvet glittering with heavy black crystals, an interplay that reveals the many facets of the most wearable basic.

However, simplicity is the key, and most important is to wear delicate designs with simple and unfussy lines, avoiding jewellery and complements, and keeping the look simple, letting the print do the talking.

With the use of innovative high-tech materials like patent, plastic, lurex or feathers, a dramatic effect is created, setting the trend off with a striking vibrant shoe or bag.

COLOUR AND PURPLE

Even though blacks, navies and especially grey render themselves as the natural colours for the current biker chic, menswear or military looks, making up a great part of Autumn/Winter palettes, a major look that has seeped through from a very bright summer has been the use of deep jewel colours.

Orange, pink, red, emerald, ruby and the predominance of purple in every shade from deep violets to soft lilacs and lavenders, bright and bold is the colour of the season.

Giving us a season laced with glamour and sexy sultriness, fashion has taken a sudden spin from seasons past, and has rendered us with sophistication that is sure to stay in future collections.