I’ve seen a few maxi skirts around this summer and they look great on holidays and in sunnier climates. Are there any maxi skirts suitable for an Irish autumn? I quite like the idea of one but don’t know where to look. M.S.

That’s a good question. The maxi skirt is set to be a big hit this autumn and indeed has an autumal look, as opposed to the holiday feel we’ve seen already this summer.

As seen on the AW catwalk by many designers, the best maxi, in my opinion, was the tailored look from Aquascutum. Good news for fans of this label as they’ve recently opened their first Irish store in Kidare Village, which means that while you may not get the latest collection, you will get your hands on the designer brand at huge discounts.

With the maxi skirt, you can go for a grunge or glam look. Petites and shorties needn’t worry either – you can wear this long silhouette with wedge boots or heels, height and comfort are what are called for here.

Jersey Maxi Skirt

A simple option for wearing this look is  a jersey maxi skirt and Topshop were first to the high street with a Rick Owens inspired black jersey fishtail skirt (£40). The jersey maxi is also a great weekend look – Myleene Klass wears hers running about town with a pair of converse.

Pleated Maxi Skirt

Jersey skirts might be too clingy for some, so you might want to try a pleated style. Acne, the “of-the-moment” Swedish label  which recently landed in Brown Thomas, have a cool black and floral pleated maxi dress (£385). For the non flowery fans, Acne also has a plain pleated skirt in khaki green (£279 and also available online at Farfetch.com)

Sequin Maxi Skirt

For super glam evenings, there are always sequins. River Island has a metallic pewter sequin skirt (£50), which you could team with a white vest for understated, on-trend evening glamour.

Nude Maxi Skirt

Nude, beige and camel colours will stay au currant this autumn winter, so what better way to wear the nude maxi skirt than half casual, half formal like Nicola Roberts did at Harrods two days ago when she re-launched her pale skin make up range,   Dainty Doll. To steal her style, try this Nude Seam Detail Maxi Skirt from ASOS (£26.00).

Animal Print Maxi Skirt

There are some great prints out there that would look great with a plain top. I’ve seen this look at festivals and it will work equally as good in colder climes.

For example, this grey feathered print against a black background (pictured, Dorothy Perkins, £25), would look nice with a black or grey top.

The same styling principle applies to animal prints – this one from New Look (pictured, £23), would look great with a slim fitting jersey top, and with its elasticised waistband and stretch fabric, it will be super comfortable too.

So whichever maxi you choose to work this season’s long-length silhouettes, with all the choice that’s available in the shops right now, you’ll be sure to find the perfect fit.

This was definitely a tough list to narrow down. Seriously, there are so many fabulously floral bits and pieces out there at the moment it’s hard to choose a top five. However, some ‘must-haves’ have absolutely taken centre-stage this spring season.

Floral patterns and flower pieces can be found on or attached to everything from killer heels to comfy cardigans.

Everything floral also fits in perfectly with the spring-fling mood; think pastoral walks in the sunshine, gingham picnics and rambles through a farmers market for a hazy, romantic pre-summer feel.

The spring/summer2010 catwalks featured an eclectic mix of flowery prints, from Japanese-style silkscreen prints in shimmering gold and burnt amber hues at Alberta Ferretti (pictured) to little explosions of electric floral colour on silk calf-length dresses at Vionnet.

Celebrities rocking the trend include Dita Von Teese in a jungle patterned floral fifties style skirt and Pixie Lott in a bold monochrome flower patterned dress. 

‘Slebs aside, my favourite floral pieces for this season are:

1. First up is a statement shoe from Nina Divito’s launch collection, (which will be in Brown Thomas on Grafton St and Kalu in Kildare by the end of March). This particular design, known as the Eddie shoe, is a white Nappa leather court shoe with a large organdy ruby red rose attached to the side of the shoe and a vine detail entwined around the heel. A stylish heel for a glam night out! Prices start at 355 euro.

2. Lipsy are a great brand when searching for that perfect feminine and flirty spring dress. Their VIP Bejewelled dress (pictured) is definitely a winner for this season with its tiered powder pink petals, clinched with a band of black sequins at the waist. Lipsy is stocked in both BT2 and Topshop and they have a shop in Dundrum Town Centre.

3. A pin-on floral bow from Topshop would look great pinned on a boyfriend blazer or even clipped into the hair. The bow in question is a creamy colour and covered in a teeny-tiny multi-coloured flower pattern.

4. At asos.com there is a striking floral print blazer (pictured). Team with a pair of stone washed jeans, a plain tee and a pair of wedges for an edgy daywear look.

5. A baby pink floral lace purse at H&M is a steal for just ten euro.  Day or night rock this little gem with almost anything from denim sailor shorts to the staple, little black dress.

Looks like I’ll be digging my beloved, well worn and at least five seasons old floral Betsey Johnson dress out of the depths of my closet. It’s been worn so much I’m surprised it’s still intact, I just refuse to give it up!

All that’s left to do now is to enjoy spring in this season’s fabulous floral designs.

Would you love a designer wardrobe but only have a high street budget? Perhaps you want value for money without compromising on style?

One of the easiest ways of achieving an A-list look without spending a fortune is through accessorising. From bags to belts to bling, accessories are the fun and decorative elements that complete a look.

Here I have selected four designer inspired pieces at purse friendly prices, that will take you right through autumn and beyond.

Christian Louboutin Shoes

Making its seasonal reappearance is the shoe-boot or ankle boot. For autumn winter 2009, Christian Louboutin has designed The Moulage - a stunning black patent shoe boot with a concealed platform sole and five inch heel (€665 at Brown Thomas).

High street favourite Aldo pays homage to the Frenchman with their Hiner shoe boot (pictured here centre, approx €105). It’s similar in style and colour to Louboutin’s design but without the distinctive red sole and accompanying price tag. Wear them with a cutsey dress like ‘The City’ star Olivia Palermo as seen above or with cute ankle socks a la Alexa Chung.

Chanel style cuff

Coco Chanel continues to inspire and this Double Wraparound Cuff  from ASOS (€12.55) which could easily be mistaken for one of her creations. Reminiscent of the straps on Chanel’s chain handbags, the woven black leather and gilt bracelet is available in cream, hot pink and in a funky leopard print. Celeb fans include Nicole Richie.

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend

A lover of bling, Victoria Beckham has made the large diamond ring part of her signature style. While Posh’s rock cost at least seven figures, you can emulate her look with your own pear cut knuckleduster for only €300. Specialising in simulated diamond jewellery, diamondlite has a terrific collection of gems that would not look out of place at any red carpet event.

Lulu Guinness Clutch

Lulu Guinness celebrates twenty years in business this year, and to commemorate the event, she has designed a sequinned clutch bag emblazoned with a Union Jack design. In the traditional British colours of red, white and blue, this bag is currently appearing on the pages of Vogue magazine.

Accessorize have also included sequinned evening bags in their autumn collection and there is a real “Cool Britannia” vibe to their ‘Wow Union Jack clutch’ (€33, pictured bottom right). This multicoloured clutch bag is both stylish and versatile and is large enough to hold all your handbag essentials!

So spend clever and shop smart -you don’t always need designer to look chic.

Linda Gallagher is passionate about fashion and interiors, having studied both. She also loves art, old movies, 1980’s music, biographies, current affairs and designer shoes.

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I’m now seeing this new wardrobe staple everywhere on the high street and this week’s find came from none other than Vero Moda (that’s “real fashion” in Italian).

Last week, again through a readers tip off, I bought a pair of jeggings in Vero Moda and am now wondering how I survived without them.

They come as “jeans” (blue denim, stone washed grey and or black) and also in solid colours such as navy, dark grey and true light grey.  I loved the pair of black ones I bought so much that I went back the following day for a navy and a “blue jeans” pair.

They cost €14.95 each or you can get two pairs for €24.95. Needless to say, the second time around I availed of the two pairs offer!

Vero Moda is located in 14 towns in Ireland and in many UK cities (except London?!).  Locate your nearest shop here. You can also buy these jeggings online via Asos who sell Vero Moda.

Dare I say it but the Vero Moda grey jeggings look like these ones worn in January by Victoria Beckham spotted at Heathrow airport (hers were Stella McCartney ombre jeans worn with an Isabel Marant a/w 2009 fur coat, a grey tank top,  a grey trilby hat and Brian Atwood suede peep-toe ankle boots).

After discussing the styling implications for wearing jeggings (the main thing is to cover your crotch!), these babies are so comfortable and fit into my winter boots perfectly – they super fitted and even make my legs look slimmer!

So out with the skinny jeans it is. My denim effect jeggings are now my new skinnies.

Image credits: Red Carpet Fashion Awards, Asos.

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Nicole Richie’s impeccable style grabs our attention every time. In Beverly Hills recently she’s accessorised with a vintage, snakeskin clutch. Find your python perfection with this Botkier purse from ASOS.

Mary Kate Olsen was one of the first to rock the over-sized clutch trend last autumn, wearing this Prada purse. If you like Mary Kate’s style, consider this natural-look, faux snakeskin clutch (€29) from Warehouse as a thrifty alternative.

For those of you who love shoes (who doesn’t?), Terry de Havilland’s towering (5 inch) wedges are hugely popular with the Brit “It” pack . Sienna Miller and Kate Moss have been wearing them religiously since 2007 whereas Mischa Barton wore the metallic snakeskin wedges to Australian fashion week last year.

Our favourite Irish actress Amy Huberman is a fan, as is our editor who wore a red pair (under the white dress) on her wedding day!

The Margaux Pewter wedges (€525) pictured above are from Lara (1 Dame Lane, Dublin 2, 01 670 79 51).  We are rejoicing in the fact that you can now buy all kinds of wedges online from €490 (incl shipping) direct from Terry DeHavilland himself! News is just in that www.icandy.ie sell them for Eve boutique in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin.

Dehavilland footwear doesn’t come cheap, so you may want to wait for the summer sales.