So into autumn we skip.

After the less-than-glorious summer we’ve had in the UK this year, it’ll be nice to stop pretending to ourselves that the sun might come out and just embrace long sleeves, jackets and boots.

It can be pricey entering a new season, if you want to buy some of ‘what’s in now’.

Going on an autumnal spree to update your wardrobe with on-trend pieces will be a lot easier on your wallet if you look for classic, investment pieces. Hunt for clothes that will last you into winter and beyond, rather than 'flash in the pan' trends that you can only wear occassionally and won't stay in vogue for long.

You don't need a whole new wardrobe... just a few key pieces to update your favorite outfits. And even better, there's loads that will be perfect for autumn/winter in the highstreet sales at the mo.

Here are my favourites:

FRENCH CONNECTION

Verushka Knits Dress WAS £97 NOW £24

Josephine Silk Tie Dress WAS £97 NOW £77.50

Perfect Pleat Skirt WAS £62 NOW £24

Luna Wool Pencil Skirt NOW £27

WHISTLES

Cable Handknit Jumper WAS £90 NOW £70

Fitted Fisherman Jumper WAS £45 NOW £35

Belted Peg Trouser WAS £55 NOW £45

RIVER ISLAND

Dark Red Fringe Brogues WAS £30 NOW £20

Brown Print Pocket Blouse WAS £30 NOW £20

Red Mid-length A-line Belted Skirt WAS £30 NOW £20

OASIS

Linen Mix Turn Up Trouser WAS £45 NOW £20

60s Pocket Mini Skirt WAS £38 NOW £25

Frill Front Drape Leather Jacket WAS £165 NOW £100

Bouquet Ditsy Maxi Dress WAS £30 NOW £20

URBAN OUTFITTERS

Silk 3/4 Sleeve Shirt WAS £55 NOW £30

Collared Smock Dress WAS £55 NOW £25

Beige Suede & Leather Tassel Loafers WAS £65 NOW £35

ALL IMAGES GRATEFULLY COPIED FROM COMPANIES' RESPECTIVE WEBSITES.

The fashion status of many highstreet chains is now firmly established. Collections at international fashion weeks (Jaeger London, Topshop Unique and Topman Design have catwalk shows at this year's London Fashion Week), partnerships and collaborations between chains and high profile fashion figures, like those of Topshop and Kate Moss and H&M and Lanvin, and the availability of fashion designers like Ashish, PPQ and Meadham Kirchhoff readily and affordably available, have all solidified the mass market's reputation as a credible voice in the industry.

As part of its enthusiastic democratisation of catwalk fashion with collections that make key trends available to 'us lot', the highstreet has adopted the visual, editoral medium of the Lookbook (especially favoured by fashion bloggers). At the same time as showcasing its wares, the Lookbook expresses the aesthetic styling that accompanies a season and shares the image and lifestyle that oftens acts as the ultimate accessory.

Here are my favorites from A/W11 so far.

ALL SAINTS

MISS SELFRIDGE

TOPSHOP

WAREHOUSE

ZARA

ALL IMAGES GRATEFULLY COPIED FROM THE COMPANIES' RESPECTIVE WEBSITES.

The hightstreet summer sales are coming to an end, before summer has even gotten into its swing.

Although one wouldn't necessarily think it at the moment, what with all the rain and wind and general chilliness that we've been experiencing (did no one tell 'them' it's the end of July??), there are a few weeks of British summer time remaining.

There are still some great bargains to be picked up in the sales to enhance and update a warm weather wardrobe.

Below is my round up of the best that's left - and all items are under £30!

MISS SELFRIDGE

Petites rose cupro shorts WAS £32 NOW £17

Straw preppy boater hat WAS £18 NOW £5

Leather tooled satchel WAS £50 NOW £20

Oriental print blouse WAS £28 NOW £16

DOROTHY PERKINS

White lemon print dress WAS £25 NOW £17

Indigo denim prom dress WAS £35 NOW £20

ACCESSORIZE

Contrast weave zig zag floppy hat WAS £22 NOW £11

ALDO

Zickler WAS £45 NOW £29.98

Crowthers WAS £60 NOW £27.99

FRENCH CONNECTION

Fiona denim shorts WAS £57 NOW £28

Perfect pleat skirt WAS £62 NOW £24

OFFICE

West end wedge denim canvas WAS £58 NOW £20

Have it black/bronze WAS £65 NOW £20

Hot stuff pastel multi WAS £65 NOW £20

None of that choc leather WAS £50 NOW £25

TOPSHOP

Fluro stripe vest WAS £16 NOW £5

Contrast zip holdall WAS £40 NOW £25

ALL IMAGES GRATEFULLY COPIED FROM THE COMPANIES' RESPECTIVE WEBSITES.

PICTURE EDITING BY BECKY DARKE.

I've been going to music festivals for nigh on 13 years and I remember the days when I'd be deciding on what clothes to take and my main concern was whether it was going to be comfy, warm and dry. Practical would be the word.

Don't get me wrong - I was a reasonably fashionable teenager. As much as any teenage girl can be when she lives in the Home County suburbs and isn't really comfortable in her own skin yet. Yet, put it this way... when I attended my first Glastonbury in 1999, I took full-on waterproof trousers.

I then remember discovering the novelty of festival glam. A slick of red lipstick, some black nail polish and a leather jacket go a long way when all you're relying on are wet wipes and dry shampoo.

Since then, festivals have completely taken over our summers. A few years ago, there were just a few but now it seems like there are hundreds of the things all over the UK and Europe. I can't seem to move in London or blink while surfing the TV channels without seeing an advert for a new festival. As a rock chick who's in her element jumping about in a field, I'm hardly complaining.

Such a surge in popularity and availability was always going to attract the masses, along with the stars, and inevitably result in media interest and acres of column inches informing us 'what they were wearing'.

Rock music and fashion have always had a beautiful, kick-ass relationship, and no more does this seem to be playing out than at in the land of welly-wearing fun seekers.

The high street has joined the party with annual collections of festival-specific clothing.

Denim shorts, playsuits, grungy sweaters, animal print, backpacks, headscarves, waistcoats, hoop earrings, long socks, parkas, boots. These are what make up the festival wardrobes of today's girls.

Below is my pick of what's on offer on the highstreet to kit yourself out appropriately.

FRENCH CONNECTION FESTIVAL SHOP

Meknes satchel

Rainbow stripe tee

Lisa denim shorts

ALL SAINTS FESTIVAL BOUTIQUE

Ikat tee

Rambler cropped welly

Claude hat

TOPSHOP FESTIVAL SHOP

Moto blue scallop hem shorts

Pink spacedye knotback playsuit

Chocolate washed zip pocket rucksack

MISS SELFRIDGE LIMITED EDITION FESTIVAL

Light wash studded shirt

WAREHOUSE FESTIVAL FASHION

Pretty floral culottes

Parrot print vest

URBAN OUTFITTERS FESTIVAL

Disco tee

Puffy navajo cami

Tortoiseshell half frame sunglasses

Wildlife sweatshirt

ALL IMAGES GRATEFULLY COPIED FROM COMPANIES' RESPECTIVE WEBSITES.

The 'colour blocking' trend is one of the easiest to pull off, especially when buying from the highstreet.

It basically means wearing various one-colour items all at once - preferably in shades that clash horribly!

A plain dress paired with a different coloured bag and shoes is a good place to start. Alternatively, try a skirt or trouser and t-shirt combo with an exciting pair of ankle socks. Throw in a bright blazer to finish off the look and give yourself a more tailored edge.

Bold colours work best and if you're going to clash in the most effective way, go for a combination of complimentary colours:

Red and green. Blue and orange. Purple and yellow.

Here's some of the best new stock from the highstreet...

Lace babydoll dress. Dorothy Perkins. £40

Pelerine ankle socks. Topshop. £3.50

Oversize t-shirt. French Connection. £20

Pleated waist skirt. Zara. £39.99

Jogging blazer. Zara. £49.99

Chiffon hem vest. Warehouse. £18

Flecked roll sleeve tee. Topshop. £15

Placket vest. River Island. £7.99

Gathered slit side maxi skirt. Topshop. £35

Belted skater skirt. River Island. £34.99

Deena & Ozzy confetti cut-out shoes. Urban Outfitters. £35

Sylvia leather bag. Oliver Bonas. £85

ALL IMAGES GRATEFULLY COPIED FROM COMPANIES' RESPECTIVE WEBSITES.

Denim. That old chestnut.

Perfect in its limitless guises, no matter what the weather is doing. And no matter what YOU are doing! The ideal fabric in which to slub around, denim is crazy comfortable... but it can also be dressed up with a bit of savvy styling to make an outfit worthy of a night on the tiles.

It's not just blue jeans! Constantly being reinvented, denim was seen once again in the spring/summer 2011 collections from Celine, Mulberry, Stella McCartney, Dries van Noten, and Moschino - amongst others - and has to be one of the easiest styles to translate to the highstreet.

Below are some current highlights to help you make the most of the denim trend. (Can it really be called a 'trend' if it never goes out of fashion??)

You'll see a mixture of total bargains, and some slightly more luxe pieces to really dress up that denim! And not just denim itself, but plenty of items that will perfectly compliment the look.

Lace Panel Denim Shirt. Miss Selfridge. £30

Skater Dress. Oasis. £15 (was £50)

Iron Eagle Sweat. French Connection. £52

Plait belted shirt dress. Dorothy Perkins. £20 (was £38)

Cord cuff. Accessorize. £8

Cream peep toe wedge boots. River Island. £34.99

Louche Christina dress. Joy. £31.50 (was £45)

Grey horse print blouse. Dorothy Perkins. £15 (was £30)

Peach scallop hem cropped jeans. Topshop. £40

Anat clog. All Saints. £87.50 (was £175)

Black and white stripe bodysuit. Miss Selfridge. £18

Nelton wedges. ALDO. £39.98 (was £60)

Cream print soft kimono jacket. River Island. £39.99

MOTO red jeans. Topshop. £38

ALL IMAGES GRATEFULLY COPIED FROM COMPANIES' RESPECTIVE WEBSITES