High summer hasn't exactly delivered on the sunshine front, leaving some of our spring/summer trend-led buys barely worn and redundant. But if there's one season we really get our wear out of, it's autumn/winter.

Fret not about the changeable weather. Come rain or shine, the fashion forecast for next season is set in stone, taking its lead from the designer catwalks.

Worried about what to keep, what to chuck in the charity bag, and what key pieces to invest in for the season ahead? Read on and make the stylish transition from summer to autumn.

With these additions your wardrobe will be fully fashion recharged for the season ahead.


Daytime updates


Hang on to those super-sheer tops and nautical shorts and hypothermia may beckon. Work these daytime transitional updaters into your wardrobe and you'll be streets ahead.

BUY...

Two-in-one dresses: Forget the dilemma of matching a top and skirt together, these double-dose dresses do all the deciding work for you. Fab for fashion-friendly officewear.

TRY: Primark two-in-one belted shirt dress, £12; or Miss Selfridge two-in-one printed blouse dress, £45.

FOLK: Potentially the autumn/winter season's easiest trend move from summer to winter. Think paisley, folksy prints and purple for autumnal hippy chic.

TRY: Oasis Liberty paisley tunic dress, £65; or Next Signature paisley sheer dress £40.

Tartan: The Scot-inspired print is big on day dresses, blouses, jackets, trousers, tights... just about anything! Bump up the transition gradually and wear head-to-toe tartan brights if you dare.

TRY: Warehouse tartan check coat, £100; or Matalan tartan ruffle blouse, £10.

KEEP... Maxi dresses; floral prints; embroidered pieces.

CHUCK... Tribal prints; crochet; shrunken blazers.


Eveningwear essentials


Summer frocks won't cut it when temperatures start to plummet. Glam up for an autumn/winter night out with these hot must-haves.

BUY...

Red: The eveningwear colour of choice for the catwalks. Move over LBD, you have some stiff competition with the look-at-me red dress.

TRY: Dorothy Perkins red bandeau dress, £40; or Betty Jackson. Black red cowl neck dress, £55 at Debenhams.

Lace: Fashion fabric of the moment, a dramatic lace piece will send your wardrobe into 'of-the-moment' status.

TRY: Next black lace top, £25; or Miss Selfridge gold and black lace dress, £45.

Evening blouse: The perfect evening wardrobe revitaliser if you're not a dress fan. Keep them flouncy and elegant.

TRY: Wallis georgette bow-tie blouse, £35; or Principles purple ribbon blouse, £45.

KEEP... Fringe dresses; one-shoulder pieces; sequins.

CHUCK... Dip-dye dresses; star prints; tiered frocks.


Accessories allowed


Updating your accessories box of tricks is the easiest and cheapest way to transform your look to autumn/winter and rival the catwalk's coolest looks.

BUY...

Patterned tights: As seen at Chanel and Rodarte catwalks, the newest way to cover your pins is with a funky pattern or eye-catching print.

TRY: ASOS lace cut-out patterned tights, £10; or Bebaroque feather print tights, £19.50 at mytights.com.

Over-knee boots: Yep, move over Dick Whittington. Play at the pantomime game in thigh high boots but wear with tights to avoid the Pretty Woman look.

TRY: River Island over-knee patent boots, £150; or Moda in Pelle Seline black over-knee boots, £150.

Bow neckties: One for the fashionistas. This showstopper of a trend will transform natty outfits in an instant.

TRY: Topshop lace bow tie, £20; or Urban Outfitters black bow tie, £6.

KEEP... Ethnic scarves; clutch bags; vintage-style jewels.

CHUCK... Cowboy boots; wooden jewellery; acid bright bags.


ASOS: www.asos.com

Debenhams: 08445 616 161/www.debenhams.com

Dorothy Perkins: 0870 122 8801/www.dorothyperkins.co.uk

Matalan: 0845 330 3330/www.matalan.co.uk

Miss Selfridge: 0845 121 4517/www.missselfridge.co.uk

Moda in Pelle: www.modainpelle.com

Mytights: www.mytights.com

Next: 0845 600 7000/www.next.co.uk

Oasis: www.oasis-stores.com

Principles: 0870 122 8802/www.principles.co.uk

Primark: www.primark.co.uk

River Island: www.riverisland.com

Topshop: 0845 121 4519/www.topshop.co.uk

Wallis: 0845 121 4520/www.wallis.co.uk

Warehouse: 0870 122 8813/www.warehouse.co.uk

Urban Outfitters: www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk