The influence of the recession has been seen even on the catwalk this year, with ripped stockings, distressed denim and military costumes that hark back to wartime rationing all prevalent themes for the season. Here’s how to make a statement in recession chic this winter without looking like you’ve raided the local car boot sale.

Chunky knits: We’re all being urged to save money and carbon by piling on extra jumpers, and Winter 2009s chucky knitwear theme plays to this demand. Keep it current by branching out in bright colours and choosing open weaves for an alluring flash of bare skin.

Long boots: Knee boots have been popular since last winter, but this season takes things a step further. Think slinky leather and suede numbers that reach up to mid-thigh, teemed with daringly short skirts and plenty of lacing. High boots add a much-needed touch of glam to the recessionista theme.

Rips and tears: It’s so 1980s, isn’t it? Nevertheless, torn tights, denim and stockings are back with a vengeance, appearing both on the catwalk and in high street stores. The key here is to accessorise – matching laddered tights with a patent black purse screams neo-grunge with a hint of rock chick glam. 

One-shouldered dresses: The key to pulling off this trend is to twin asymmetric shoulder-lines with bare arms – the ‘I couldn’t afford the other sleeve’ look is so turn of the decade. The high street is your friend here, with shops like New Look offering plenty of one-shouldered dresses at recession-friendly prices in store and online. Wear them simply with minimal accessorising for best effect. 

Capes and cloaks: If the one-shouldered trend has left you enthused but chilly, then why not embrace another of this season’s key themes – the 2009 cape? Not only will a cape put you at the cutting edge of fashion, it will also disguise a multitude of body sins and keep you toasty warm underneath.

Leather: Yes, really. And we’re not talking just trousers and jackets – any form of leather clothing, from skin-tight tops to Angelina Jolie-style dresses are on trend this winter. If you’re no cat woman then wear this trend subtly, choosing tops or dresses with leather decoration as acknowledgement to the style.

Jeans are arguably the most versatile item in any girl’s wardrobe and it is because of this that they have become a staple piece, ever stylish and forever practical. Jeans can be dressed up or dressed down, worn with a blazer or ladylike sweater for work or a rock tee or pretty blouse for the pub. They can be worn with pumps or trainers or sky high heels and will look perfect for any occasion.

As with any item of clothing it is important to make sure you find the right cut and the right shape to flatter your figure. Drainpipe skinnies may look fabulous on the Kate Moss’s of this world but if you have larger hips and thighs they are not necessarily your friend. There are endless different rises, fits and washes from straight leg, boyfriend style and the eternal classic, boot cut. You just need to spend the time trying on different styles and shades and finding the perfect pair for you that will make you both look and feel, fabulous.

Jeans for Pear Shapes

-          If you are a pear shape you will most likely have a smaller waist and larger hips and thighs – think Mischa Barton and Kimberley Walsh

-          Darker washes are more flattering on larger thighs as they will slim your legs and draw the eyes down. If in doubt – team with killer heels.

-          Larger hips and thighs will look better in flared and boot cut styles and look for pockets and detailing on the bottom as this will shave off pounds!

Jeans for Apple Shapes

-          Apple shapes tend to carry more weight around their middle with slimmer legs and a smaller bottom. Celebrity Apples include Liv Tyler and Kelly Osbourne.

-          Go for a mid rise waist band – too low and you will suffer from the dreaded muffin top and too high and you run the risk of resembling an overstuffed turkey. If you do have slimmer legs you can always try a skinny leg but team with a looser top to balance it out.

Jeans for Hourglass Figures

-          Hourglass figures tend to have a larger bust, a slim waist and wide hips – think Scarlett Johansson and Catherine Zeta Jones.

-          Those of you with an hourglass figure can wear both low and high waisted styles to show off your toned waists, team with heels and tucked in tops to make the most of your curves and stick to flared styles. Skinny, straight legged and tapered styles will do you no favours.

Jeans for Athletic Figures

-          Athletic figures tend to be lithe and toned with a small bust and slim hips and thighs. Cameron Diaz and Jessica Biel have classic athletic shapes (though this is hopefully due to the hours and hours they spend in the gym and not just good luck!)

-          Choose jeans to show off your toned bottom and thighs, skinny styles will look fabulous with a looser top and heels and boyfriend styles worn with a pair of pumps or converse make for a more casual day time look.

You shouldn’t have to look that far to find every conceivable style on the high street, New Look for instance has a fantastic range of jeans to flatter all shapes and sizes with prices starting at just £10!

With the Christmas party season fast approaching you would not be alone if your mind is currently awash with dress dilemmas, shoe and handbag combinations and whether to wear a belt or a statement necklace, a Gossip Girl style headband or all of the above. Winter is the season where despite arctic conditions, people put on their finest frocks and fanciest suits and hit the town, soaking up the festivities and consuming far too many mince pies and bottles of mulled wine.

If you have a packed social calendar awaiting you, with office parties, Christmas dinners and cocktails with friends you will need a wardrobe that is up to the challenge. By updating your existing wardrobe with some key, on trend pieces you can create a whole world of new looks. Simply by swapping your trusty tan handbag for a leopard print clutch or your old faithful little black dress for a futuristic structured design you can embrace the 2009 styles as a classy fashionista and not a try hard fashion victim.

If it is outfits for the party season that you need then you can’t go wrong with a stylish and sexy dress, whatever the style a fantastic dress with great shoes will always look good. With all of the different styles, textures and colours of women’s dresses on the high street from luxurious velvet and party sequins, structured shoulders and bubble hems it is hard to know where to start, but there are ways in which to make your shopping experience as enjoyable and stress free as possible – though we can’t guarantee how stress free it will be for your bank manger;

Find the perfect shopping companion – It is important to go shopping with somebody that you really trust, somebody that will be honest with you and who knows what really suits you.

Shop around – It is important to take your time browsing the different styles and trends on the high street and selecting the garments that suit your shape and the colours that complement your skin tone. Don’t pick the first dress you see just because something similar looked fabulous on Kate Moss – unless of course you are Kate Moss.

Shape Up – Dress and shop to suit your figure, ensure that you know what shapes suit you and don’t fall victim to high fashion styles that will do you no favours simply because they are splashed the magazines. New Look carries a vast collection of women’s dresses to suit every body shape in a range of styles.

Know your colour – Before you go shopping spend time looking through your wardrobe and identifying the colours that suit you – this will make it easier when shopping to avoid the tones that although look great on your best friend, make you look like something out of Twilight.

Smart Dressing – Dress carefully, there is no point wearing jeans and trainers if you are shopping for a party dress. Always wear flat shoes when shopping – blisters don’t work with any outfit – and carry a pair of heels in your handbag to try on with dresses, skirts and long trousers.

Try On – Yes, it’s exhausting and frustrating and the queues can be long but it is a lot more annoying having to return all of your new items because they don’t fit, they are the wrong colour or they simply don’t look right.