The versatility of the dress has long appealed to fashionistas and is an ever-prominent item on the catwalk, regardless of the season. This January the high street offers a variety of styles and textures to keep you warm – our favourites are chunky knits in ashy colours teamed with opaque tights and finished with knee socks boasting embellishments of all kinds, including ribbons, buttons and embroidery.

With the mass of choice out there, we thought we would create a guide for those who just can’t decide what dress to wear for what occasion!

First date:

Arguably one of the most important outfits you’ll ever choose and we would always recommend the little black dress, accessorised to reflect the season. Try to choose something that leans on the sultry side, rather than office chic or night club hot.

Dinner with the family:

Meeting your other half’s family for the first time is worrying enough as it is, without having to decide on what is and isn’t appropriate to wear. We have the answer for you:

In warm weather a fail-safe option is the floral maxi dress, teamed with a loose knit cardigan or crotchet shawl. In Winter the 60’s cotton dress is a great choice – knee length, loose and classic. The dress can be worn with shoe-boots and wool tights. See the current collection from Chelsea Girl at River Island.

Weddings:

Winter weddings always pose a problem when it comes to outfits. The cold weather begs chunky clothes, warm coats and floppy, snuggly hats – none of which are particularly suitable for someone’s special day. The solution comes in the form of layers and a clever mix of textures. Try a floor length dress, layered with a silk floaty shirt (and a vests underneath), finished with a cropped fur jacket. For the older lady, mother of the bride dresses can be found at http://www.kaleidoscope.co.uk.

Denim shorts are proving to be a big hit this season, despite the fact that the temperature has dropped dramatically!

The main reason they are able to live on into the winter months is the fact that they look great teamed with tights or thick leggings, a slouchy grandpa knit and trainers.  Not only is this a stylish look, it is also a look that keeps you warm!

If you prefer to dress the look up, this is also easy to do.  Simply swap the leggings for statement opaque tights, a cutesy coloured blazer and uber high heels!

The catwalks nailed such a look.  Models were seen wearing the cut off shorts with cutesy bowler hats, longer length jackets, boots and socks.  For a more preppy look, try teaming with a longer length stripy shirt, a blazer in a pastel shade and chunky block-style heels.

Finish the look with a school style satchel for the ultimate in grown-up school glamour.

Denim is certainly one trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, which makes it a great investment for the future.  Once it hits the higher temperatures, simply lose the tights and knits.

Denim certainly loves a good blazer.  A tux is a great addition to any one’s wardrobe and adds a masculine twist to the ensemble.

In order to work the new season style, opt for any one of the printed denim pieces and add a collared shirt to the look!  If you want the denim to stand out, make sure you keep the rest of your outfit simple.  This way the denim will really show!

Coloured denim is also a great option for those that want to invest in something a little different.  Think red, navy blue, metallic or black.  In fact choose from any colour of the rainbow if you wish!

It may be the toned bodies, the ultra shiny locks, the super smooth bronzed skin and the Barbie doll like figure!

This unreal perfection is more times than not the work of a top plastic surgeon!  So don’t be fooled by what you see, LA doesn’t breed perfection, it strives to be it, most woman and more and more men are going to the extreme in order to reach such a look.

Tummy tucks, Brazilian but lifts, body reshapes, and hair extensions, spray tans and an assortment of other extensive surgery procedures are happening everyday in this surreal and imposing world!

Girl’s and boys are being made to feel like they should look like a certain star or A-list celeb an in order to do this they must undergo surgery!

However all those film stars and celebs you may strive to be were in fact once very different!  With a team of stylists at their beck and call, they constantly look groomed to perfection, this doesn’t however mean they haven’t gone under the knife and the images you see sprawled across the glossy magazines have more than likely been touched up beyond recognition!  Such images shouldn’t be taken as body goals and by no means should you try and strive to these goals!

If you are happy in what you have got, your beauty will shine through!  If we all looked liked Barbie dolls, the world would be a very boring place.

The high street brand Zara has recently released a super signature look for winter in the shape of a neat parka jacket.  It’s boxy shape will most definitely look super svelte with all those preppy pleats and loafers.

Priced at just £99, it is certainly in your winter coat budget!  Well at least if you only intend to purchase the one this season!

Loafers are a great look for this season and tie into the preppy trend extremely well.  not only do they update the look and bring it into this season, they are super comfy to walk in!

Choose from a range of styles, this season certainly seems to be working the animal print style!  Such a print will work to bring an otherwise low-key preppy look to life!  And if you are actually still in uniform, you will become the bell of the playground in no time!

Another great way to work the preppy look into ideal winter wear is to invest in a pair of cutesy boy trousers such as chinos with braces.  Wear with ballet pumps to add a girly edge, a cute simple tee complete with a quirky illustration and a fitted blazer.  This will tie the whole look together!

The preppy look is a great look for daytime with the girls, a study date or a chilled early evening meal.  It can however be dressed up with uber high heels and a fitted waistcoat in an embellished fabric. Pile your hair high on your head and party the night away!

The first and probably most versatile item of knitwear you should pick up this winter is a nice, comfy knitted cardigan or jumper. This item of clothing fits in perfectly with the loose, oversized trend that has taken over women’s wear, and it allows you to stay warm and cosy in cold winter weather. Whether you’d prefer a nice pullover or a cardigan that buttons up, a piece of casual knitted outerwear is a winter 2011 essential.

These pieces can be paired with all kinds of different clothing, jeans or a skirt, a dress or trousers, on its own or worn under a coat for an extra layer. This Snuggly Cardigan from Joe Browns is a great example – its neutral tones means it will go with almost anything.

Knitted dresses have become majorly popular this winter as well. The simplicity of a knitwear dress means that you can keep warm and comfortable without sacrificing a feminine style and silhouette. This one-piece is a must-have this winter, as it is something you can just throw on and pair with any accessories you like to create your own unique look. Although knitwear dresses can be glammed up, they work best in casual situations and are perfect for pairing with an oversized coat, thick tights and warm winter boots. This Easy Livin’ Dress from Joe Browns is just the thing!

Finally, what is any winter season without a good woolly hat? Most of our body heat escapes from the head, so just by popping on a warm hat you are sure to maintain a higher body temperature. The Anyone’s Peak cap from Joe Browns combines traditional knitwear with a quirky crochet flower to keep you looking cute this winter.

The trendsetters behind some of this season’s hottest new beauty looks have come up with a subtler paired-down alternative to that of the usual brighter than bright lips!

The inspiration for the new lip shade has been taken from the hoard of fresh-faced and uber stylish socialites, who are often seen at an array of fashion shows!

So how do we re-create this look?  Well the answer is quite simple!  Simply smudge a little red on your lips, as if a trace of something you have previously been sipping is left on there!

Use a product such as a runaway red lip shade and apply as a smudge effect to the lips.  Create this effect using a small tapered blending brush.  A good one can be picked up from an assortment of beauty counters for under £20.

This type of brush is usually used with eye shadow products but also works a dream when creating this effect on the lips.

It creates a feather effect that doesn’t look to finished.  Finish your lips with a lashing of clear lip balm.  This is a great look for both day and night and can be created with a range of different shades.  Simply choose your favourite colour and apply using the above procedure for that ‘it’ girl look!

Check out any one of the autumn and winter shows for a little cosmetic style and inspiration!

Creating the perfect party eyes is a skill and in order to do it yourself at home, here are a few simple tips!

Firstly you need to transform that subtle eye into a dramatic statement eye!  There is an all new super shock collection and this particular make-up is a must!

Firstly you should apply a creamy eyeshadow along the upper lash line, this should then be blended upwards.  Dot a lighter shade on the inner lid

The lighter shade will work to bring your eyes to life and really open them up! Adding a little definition is the next stage.

Definition can be made by apply product to the lower lash line.  This can be done by using a gel eyeliner and a brush.  This should stay close to the edge of the eye.

Next you will need to vamp it up a notch!  Do this by blending a hot hued eyeshadow across the lid.  add a little black gel eyeliner and lashing of volumising mascara!

This is certainly a look that will have heads turning

Still, popular they are and they’re everywhere this winter. There are loads of places both on the high street and online that cannot get enough of them and if you’re a dedicated follower of fashion, you will have no problem finding one.

For work, go for a wide leg style in a more muted colour and accessorise with heels and a fitted jacket for an elegant and professional look. Just remember to excuse yourself five minutes early from that meeting to use the ladies room. Accidents at work indeed.

On more casual days, harem style jumpsuits with chunky jewellery and flat ballet pumps will ensure you’re comfortable if nothing else. If you don’t have too much to drink. Try a bold colour to make you stand out from the crowd, or the oh-so-popular floral print for that ‘just shot the curtains’ look.

Jumpsuits can be worn for evenings too and to be fair, some do look quite elegant and classy. A straight leg, one shoulder style looks great with a pretty belt to cinch in the waist and simple jewellery at the throat, ears and wrists. Classic black always looks fantastic but there are many colours and materials available if you want to be a little more daring. Shop around and see what catches your eye!

You can accessorise your jumpsuit or playsuit by visiting Ellos where they have some gorgeous heels, ballet pumps and jewellery online.

This new trend comes in the shape of cute little top knots that resemble dog ears and cute little painted on noses!

The edgy yet cutesy head wear and make-up was teamed with the nicest winter coats!

Today is certainly all about the dogs, well this is what is being stated by the top designers that are ruling the cat walks at the moment!

As the fashionable crowd took to the seats, out stepped models adorned in spotty fur enthused coats!  This was certainly a unique style that screamed something different to the stylish attendants!  It is the perfect look for the Christmas season.

Dressing to impress has in fact never been easier and with boutiques and department stores offering the likes of personal stylists, finding a piece to suit your figure is now as easy as A, B, C!

So what should we be looking into for 2011?  Well the fashion shows showcased a plunging neckline, sheer fabrics, maxi skirts, lady like glamour, lace attire, crochet and macrame, tassels, woman’s tailored tuxes, pleats, bell bottoms, swim wear and bikinis, wide legs, capri pants, tall hems with dresses appearing longer at the back, jump suits and playsuits and of course crop tops!

Confused about what to buy?  We thought you might be…sometimes choice is a good thing but other times it throws us off the mark.  You may have had a perfectly clear image in your mind of exactly what you wanted!  But when confronted with an array of other designs, fabrics and cuts, it throws us off the goal in mind!

The best thing to do is to stick to cuts and fabrics you know suit you but update these by investing in the new seasonal trends.  Add a few statement accessories in order to bring the look to life and invest in one ‘spoil yourself’ expensive piece!