Key trends for 2009

Ballerina

Dust off your wrap-around cardigans and pink pumps from yesteryear, an ultra girly ballerina-inspired look is set to be big news in '09.

Think pastel shades, soft fabrics and ribbon detail.

Topshop has the look en pointe with a pretty range of tutus (right) in store, go all-out girly with a cropped cardigan, or toughen it up for winter with a biker jacket.

Left: Jenny Packham show at Spring/summer '09 London Fashion Week. Right: Tutu style skirt, £30, from Topshop

Ballerina

Dust off your wrap-around cardigans and pink pumps from yesteryear, an ultra girly ballerina-inspired look is set to be big news in '09.

Think pastel shades, soft fabrics and ribbon detail.

Topshop has the look en pointe with a pretty range of tutus (right) in store, go all-out girly with a cropped cardigan, or toughen it up for winter with a biker jacket.

Left: Jenny Packham show at Spring/summer '09 London Fashion Week. Right: Tutu style skirt, £30, from Topshop

Monochrome

If orange is too much to handle on a dull winter's day, you may be relieved to hear that black, white and shades of grey are also coming to the fashion fore in '09.

Think dramatic rather than dreary - there's nothing quite so sharp and vivid as opposing shades side by side.

And if you simply can't resist a bit of colour, some pillar box red lippy will compliment the razor sharp look.

Left: Ashish show at Spring/summer '09 London Fashion Week. Right: blouse £45, skirt, £40 and shoes from a selection - all Warehouse

Blazers

We are pleased to announce that the indispensable blazer is to remain a staple item of the fashionista's wardrobe in 2009.

Keep it loose but fitted for cool day-to-day wear, or go for something a little more tailored to sharpen up your look, like this neat number (right) from George at Asda.

Left: Duro Olowu show at Spring/summer '09 London Fashion Week. Right: Black jacket, £24, from George at Asda

Monochrome

If orange is too much to handle on a dull winter's day, you may be relieved to hear that black, white and shades of grey are also coming to the fashion fore in '09.

Think dramatic rather than dreary - there's nothing quite so sharp and vivid as opposing shades side by side.

And if you simply can't resist a bit of colour, some pillar box red lippy will compliment the razor sharp look.

Left: Ashish show at Spring/summer '09 London Fashion Week. Right: blouse £45, skirt, £40 and shoes from a selection - all Warehouse

Sheer

Go sheer next year for a look that's sophisticated and sexy, and great for evening glamour.

There was an air of fairytale fantasy at London Fashion Week, but translated to the high street and we'll see sheer layering for party tops and smart blouses all over the shops next season.

You can get in there before the rest with this top available now at Monsoon (right).

Left: Richard Nicoll show at Spring/summer '09 London Fashion Week. Right: Viola woven top, £45, from Monsoon

Asymmetry

London Fashion Week saw some strange incarnations of the theme, including one-legged trousers and lopsided skirts, but we love all the asymmetrical one-shouldered tops and dresses that will be hitting the highstreet in '09, and this cool single sleeved batwing dress from Jane Norman (right) is the perfect example.

Left: Aminaka Wilmont show at Spring/summer '09 London Fashion Week. Right: One shoulder tunic, £25, from Jane Norman

Retro futuristic

Stick with us on this one, it's not quite the oxymoron it seems: cast your mind back to what the stylists of the original Star Trek deemed directional back in the '60s, and you're half way there: silvers and golds, pointy shapes and shiny materials.

We don't recommend you go all out space age on this one, but this Marks and Spencer mini dress (right) is a nice nod to the theme. Wear over jeans or with thick tights and heels for a 60s feel.

Left: Bernard Chandran show at Spring/summer '09 London Fashion Week. Right: Mini dress with sequin trim, £29, from Marks and Spencer

Cut-outs

This one is pretty much what it sounds like and can be adapted to suit all shapes.

Fashion Week saw holes in some strange places, but there is a simple elegance about this dress we found in Debenhams (right).

Cut outs are big news for '09 so have a play with this versatile trend and show your best bits.

Left: Emilio De La Morena show at Spring/summer '09 London Fashion Week. Right: Star by Julien MacDonald black cody con dress, £45, from Debenhams

Headwear

An '09 must-have, according to Vogue's Dolly Jones, is some form of head wear - be it a hat, a headscarf or a fascinator for dressed-up dos.

Daisy Lowe donned a quirky bowler hat at the Fashion For Relief show (left) back in September, and look what we found: a similar version from Primark (right) for a miserly £3!

Left: Daisy Lowe at Fashion For Relief show for Spring/summer '09 London Fashion Week. Right: Ladies trilby hat £3, from Primark