Skinny fit drainpipe jeans look set to continue their rock-star rise of popularity teamed with boots and ballet flats.  However as summer arrives, roomier proportioned, wider-legged trousers will begin to make a come-back replacing narrow silhouettes in the wardrobes of the fashion savvy.

Cuffed knickerbocker-style trousers are this winter’s precursors to summers cuffed shorts. One of this year’s biggest and most commercially successful trends, shorts look set to continue throughout seasons. Loose cuts, high waists, cuffed hems and bib-and-brace detailing are all key.  Alternatively, narrow cycling-inspired shorts cut to just above knee-level provide an alternative to leggings, as seen at Chanel’s spring/summer 06 show.

Currently hot outerwear option, capes look set to remain a stalwart cover-up throughout the rest of the winter months but not a lot longer, as spring sees a subtle nod to eighties power dressing in the form of sharp shoulder-lines and structured jackets.

Homespun knitwear, fluid silhouettes and ethnic detailing will remain key during the summer festivals. Watch for Chinese embroidery and detailing replacing current Eastern European and Russian military styling.  Layering will continue as a perennial youth-market trend and most directional prints take the form of bold black and white nature-inspired motifs.

Jo Carey