AUTUMN IS HERE

Yes, it's true. As much as we tried to convince ourselves otherwise, to look on the bright side, to truly believe that 'tomorrow will be sunny again', summer is...(here it comes) over. I know; it's painful. Bar a few days of glory in June - where the temperature actually managed to struggle and strain its way over the fabled 25-degree mark - 2010's summer season has been nothing but rain, clouds and gloom. A veritable washout. Sigh.

If, like me, you weren't lucky enough to get away to a sangria-and-mirage-soaked sandhole this year, then I'm sure you can feel the pain I felt when, striding down Oxford Street at the beginning of August in my (somewhat optimistic) factor 30 and denim hot pants, I saw shop windows stuffed full of autumn collections. Gone were the cheerful displays of tiny tees and glittering sunglasses, here instead were rows of harder, more durable materials, better suited to the onset of autumn’s chillier climate. "Surely this is too soon?” I thought, “What happened to the magical sunny period of bleached cotton and tribal-print playsuits promised to us by all the magazines?” It was a similar feeling to the one brought on by the appearance of Christmas merchandise in October, only without the fun.

However, as we enter the second week of September, perhaps it’s time to accept the inevitable. Days are getting shorter. ‘Smuggling peanuts’ will soon become mandatory upon leaving the house. No, that great 2-4-1 deal on sun cream at Boots really wasn’t worth it.  Okay, so maybe London didn’t turn out to be the tropical Indian summer paradise we’d all been (sort of) expecting, but hey ho, we can only shrug our shoulders and move forward, however begrudgingly.

Luckily, there happens to be some truly fantastic styles coming out this A/W season. Rather than bemoaning the summer that never was, I’m going to stash the flip-flops at the bottom of my wardrobe till next year and work on near-bankrupting myself on a look to welcome in the darker, colder days…

KG Shearling-lined High-Heeled Boots

Aren’t they beautiful? I nearly stopped breathing when I saw them the other day…but the £180 price tag might be a bit more than my non-income bank account can take. Their sturdy leather design and textured work-boot sole make them perfect for slippery winter pavements, with the eleven-inch heel giving them a decidedly un-sensible edge. Urban Outfitters also do a slightly cheaper version:

Urban Outfitters Multi Strap Boots

Obviously not quite as fabulous as their KG parents, but still retaining that wonderful shearling-wool lining. 

T By Alexander Wang Leather-trimmed Jersey Poncho

Embracing the new season as I am, I just can’t bring myself to buy a winter coat just yet…this jersey poncho seems like a good compromise (for now). It's relaxed enough for daywear, but I’d pair it with heels and lashings of gold chains (what else) to make a bit more of a statement.

Marjan Pejoski PK Embroidery Jump Suit

Yeah, yeah, all right – this isn’t probably the most appropriate choice for the cold, wet season ahead. But you can always layer up…

Vanessa Bruno Thigh-High Socks

These socks come straight from Vanessa Bruno’s A/W 2010 Ready-To-Wear collection into a special place in my heart labelled ‘Covet’. Warm, stylish and a welcome change from the inevitable monotony of autumn’s tights and jeans.

Liberty Flower Power Union Jack Silk Scarf

My wonderful boyfriend bought this for me for my birthday recently, and I love it (seriously - I’m not just saying that because he might be reading this…). Released as part of Liberty’s 2010 celebration of our UK heritage, the floral design acts as a nod to the ‘Flower Power’ age (which also coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of Carnaby Street’s ‘Swinging Sixties’). Goes with just about anything – I like to wear it in my hair.