The 10 autumn trends that will help you get dressed

Don???t be daunted by some of the more foolish fashion ideas out there.Victoria Moss and Krissy Turner have pinpointed the new treats which will sort out your wardrobe for many winters to come.

Feline familiars were spotted prowling along the catwalks of Dolce & Gabbana (right), Loewe and Marc Jacobs ??? as in actual cat faces and figures.In other purring print news ???Givenchy, Dries Van Noten (a dream destination for anyone after a faux furry coat) and Bottega Veneta all backed leopard-print.

It???s been copiously picked up by the high street ???Hobbs and Zara have brilliant pieces, while if you???re splashing out, be tempted by Saint Laurent???s excellent velvet leopard boots (??495, net-a-porter.com).This MSGM blouse, however, is beyond adorable.Meow.

MSGM cat-print silk blouse, ??310, Harvey Nichols; Camilla Elphick cat boots, ??610, Avenue 32.

After ages out in the cold, velvet has made an astonishing return to the fold.Its inky, feathery form was trotted out by myriad designers (Valentino, above), clearly buoyed by last winter???s furtive forays into the trend.We like it best in jacket or shoe form (trousers are tricky unless your legs are pin-thin).

The velvet sandal (Prada and Jil Sander) is a stealth purchase, as is a chunky-heeled ankle boot (Sam Edelman and Topshop).Jacket-wise, you???ll be spoilt for choice.Frame Denim has continued its popular style in a delicious mossy green (??498, selfridges.com) while Marks & Spencer has several designs in elegant colours, from pale pink to navy, chocolate and deep red (from ??79 marksandspencer.com).

Sam Edelman velvet boots, ??140, Net-a-Porter; Racil cotton-blend velvet jacket, ??680, Matches Fashion.

For winter, sharp-shouldered military coats complete with epaulettes and piped edges are in bountiful supply.Tibi showed the most excellent coats, in long (left) and pea form.At Burberry, jaunty officer???s jackets were thrown over party dresses and Zara has a very good navy knitted coat with sharp red piping for ??99, below.

While brilliant cashmere brand Jumper 1234 has scrumptious camo print sweaters in a mix of colours ??? great with jeans or smart skirts.

Camo-print cashmere jumper, ??210, Jumper 1234; Wool coat, ??99.99, Zara.

To anyone who looks at a stiletto and winces, we offer the chunky boot.You???ll find a lot of Chelsea styles out there, but the lace-up workman???s boot feels a little more reassuringly rugged and unusual.Prada had the most exceptional versions on its catwalk.The idea is to pair them with everything, but ideally skirts and dresses for a messy mash-up.Imagine Virginia Woolf on a building site sporting a pair of Timberlands and you???re right on the money.Go forth and stomp.

Burberry leather and suede ankle boots, ??550, Net-a-Porter; Biker boots, ??49, Topshop; Dr. Martens creeper boots, ??130, ASOS.

Last winter the Barbican held an exhibition dedicated to Charles and Ray Eames, godfathers of mid-century modern style.This winter fashion is all over its colour palette.#Justsayin.But look how chic all those muted, burnt shades are.

Mustard is going to make a particular bid for your affections ??? it???s everywhere ??? but don???t overlook the lure of a burgundy, russet or deep khaki ??? they???re exceptionally flattering and a welcome change from grey and navy.Whistles??? multi-striped skirt ticks every box, colour-wise ??? and will be great now with a tucked in white shirt, later with a neat little sweater.Snap it up before it sells out.

Fit and flare skirt, ??120, Whistles; Cashmere turtle neck jumper, ??99, M&S;Court shoe, ??129, Jigsaw.

Quirky pearl details are popping up in the most unlikely places.Dotted around the heel of a shoe?Scattered across a fine knit?But of course.After spotting them jazzing up collars and in place of buttons down pea coats at Gucci, we noted that a pearl makes for a chic eye-catching detail.If you???d like a little less quirk, opt for the updated pearl earring ???Chlo?? has a great earcuff studded with six pearls that snake up the ear(??160, Net-a-Porter).

Yunotme beaded pearl headband, ??265, Net-a-Porter;Pearl ballerina, ??435, Nicholas Kirkwood

Clothing-wise, purple hasn???t been our go-to, but Michael Kors???s sumptuous lilac coat on the A/W catwalk swayed us.Purple is easier to pull off than you may think and already goes with everything in your wardrobe.Pair a lilac blouse with grey trousers, a purple blazer with mid-blue jeans, and a violet knit, or these velvet pumps with navy trousers.If you???d rather opt in via an accessory, Coach has a practical handbag in plum(??575, Coach).

Carven ribbed wool sweater, ??210, Net-a-Porter;Purple coat, ??150, Cos;Purple velvet pump, ??26, Office.

Isn???t it great when a wardrobe staple is on???trend, too?Classic heritage checks of all kinds ??? tweed, herringbone, Prince of Wales ??? are big news.M&S has a pair of high-waisted check trousers (??49.50, instore next month), while Next has expensive-looking tapered wool blazers ??? this one also comes in rust and grey.For the avid heritage fan, look to Ralph Lauren for your inspiration, where culottes, tops and blazers make for a stylish outfit.

Wool blazer, ??70, Next;Long wool blend coat, ??99.99, H&M

A dark floral dress is a trans-seasonal must-have.It holds its own in the office with chic flats and a tote, and on weekends with trainers and a crossbody bag.If you opt for short sleeves, stay cosy with a polo neck underneath.As seen at Erdem and Topshop Unique, it???s the length of the dress that really has us talking.The uber-flattering new style (there???s a great three-quarter sleeved one for ??55, Warehouse) is neither maxi nor midi.A mixi, perhaps?Either way, we???re loving the new half-calf-length, particularly with a chunky boot.

MiH Jeans printed silk midi dress, ??365, Net-a-Porter; Masscob printed dress, ??315, Matches Fashion

Thanks to Gucci, the flouncy chiffon bow is still huge, and when paired with a tapered trouser and block heel it adds a feminine flourish to work wear.We also like them under sleeveless knitted vest-tops and under a round-neck sleeveless dress.But for those who find the Thatcher-classic too frill-ish, look for printed blouses with neat cord-style black ties around the necks (Marc Jacobs, Mango and Sea NY).Or tie a piece of black velvet ribbon around your existing white shirt.Chic ???n cheap.

Ruched sleeve pussybow, ??119, Me & Em;See by Chlo?? ruffled pussybow blouse, ??295, Farfetch