Alongside all of the embellishment and prints this season thanks to Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs, black leather had quite the comeback. I know what you're thinking: when did it ever go away but if you cast your mind back to this time last year you'll remember that block colour was still having a moment but black leather is officially back on the agenda this season.

This season was just a lot darker on the whole. Riccardo Tisci, who is undoubtedly the king of all things darkly romantic, was one of its biggest protagonists teaming his equestrian themed collection with those heel-hidden boots that everyone's rightfully raving about right now. Gareth Pugh is someone that always plays with leather and this season it came on more wearable asymmetric jackets with oversized lapels and at Gucci, Frida Giannini incorporated it on outerwear too but on cropped bell shapes instead.

As with everything, this is a trend that you can embrace with varying degrees. If you're not afraid of going full hog, invest in a coat like the ones at Versace or do like Kate Moss and buy a long sleeved bod con dress but beware. If you're going to go that way make sure to invest in quality pieces as they can quickly start to look cheap. For those of you that aren't so bold, opt for a shirt with a leather collar or follow Kanye West and Kate Moss by bagging a pair of leather trousers. That's one piece that you can count on season after season.

Shop my edit of the some of the best black leather pieces after the jump

Elizabeth Olsen in a Marni collar at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association luncheon

Collars have always been seen as saying a lot about you. Think white collars for professionals and blue collars for workers and you'll see where I'm going. Decorative collars on the other hand say less about your professional standing and more about your sartorial one and this season it's all about embellishment.

Following on from the love of all things elaborate that has slowly gained pace after the minimalist days, the A/W12 shows were decorative and the accessories even more so. Thanks to the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Marni, the statement collar isn't going anywhere and the offerings are really good. Consuelo Castiglioni nailed it again this season at Marni creating neoprene styles in black, white and red colourways with resin broaches and geometrical applications. If the Marni price point is out of reach, don't worry because the styles will no doubt be making their way to the high street very soon.

Are you a fan?

SHOP THE EDIT: Navy collar, £66, Marni; Red collar, £348, Marni

Taylor Tomasi Hill

The sweater is one of those wardrobe heroes that everyone needs. It's one of the few pieces that can stand you in good stead whatever the weather and over the past few years, it's hard quite the transformation. In the past, it had a bit of a bad wrap. The styles felt heavy, boardering on frumpy, and the colours didn't tend to extend too far beyond neutrals like black, grey and nude. The more recent variations, though, are really good.

3.1. Phillip Lim's comic-inspired sweaters got everyone excited for S/S12 and while his offerings for fall are a lot more subdued, they're definitely still something to keep an eye out for. Even Burberry experimented with sweaters this season with their fun owl embroidered options.

As far as colours are concerned, Sonia Rykiel, Missoni and Marni have great bright printed styles while Acne continues to lead the pack with their bright block coloured pieces. If you don't want to spend too much, J. Crew is the place to go. The colour ways and print options are extensive and the quality hold out from season to season. The moral of the story is that you don't need to conform this winter. Just as colour and prints have been for summer, there's no reason why you can't continue it for winter on your knitwear. Who knows, it might actually make you smile and with the British weather the way it is, that's going to help.

SHOP THE EDIT: 1. Cashmere blend sweater, £148.75, Thakoon at The Outnet; 2. Zebra print sweater, £35, River Island; 3. Sequin fine knit sweater, £45, J. Crew at The Outnet ; 4. Colour block sweater, £450, Chloe at The Outnet; 5. Merino wool sweater, £139.50, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel at The Outnet; 6. Mohair jumper, £175, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel at My-Wardrobe; 7. Chunky knit wool sweater, £105, Paul & Joe at The Outnet; 8. Lace mohair knit sweater, £220, Vanessa Bruno Athé at My-Wardrobe; 9. Cashmere knit jumper, £169, Paul & Joe Sister at My-Wardrobe; 10. Cotton blend sweater, £124.35, ADAM at The Outnet; 11. Open knit jumper, £190, ACNE at My-Wardrobe

This season's new height (or lack thereof) started at Haider Ackermann's S/S12 show. It's not often that the word 'trend' and 'Haider Ackermann' are used in the same sentence, for he's amongst the rare breed of designs so attune to his own vision that tapping into any big trend is never more than a mere coincidence. Nevertheless, the backless brogues that he showed alongside his low slung masculine trousers last season has had a serious ripple effect. The fact that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have rarely been spotted without them is a pretty good indicator too.

Don't get me wrong, flats aren't anything new. I mean, what woman doesn't own a ballet flat or three but these styles are different. The feeling is far from conservative and is definitively not only the preserve of women who work in the city or want to be 'taken seriously'. Just like the clothes for fall, it seems that designers are becoming more attune to what women actually need, as opposed to simply pumping out killer heel after killer heel as has been too often been the case. With the world out there being tough enough right, being held back by your shoes of all things doesn't make sense anymore.

While I've always been a sucker to heels - I blame Victoria Beckham's book 'That Extra Half Inch - the idea of a good pair of flats has been growing on me. What with the shows just around the corner, the need to find something practical that takes me from shows to appointments and the odd event or two has become my mission and thankfully, there's a lot of good styles out there. Christian Louboutin, who has been one of the major influencers of the ever increasing height of heels, has even succumbed to the charm of the flat offering a really fun, quirky pair in tartan with studded black toe caps. Charlotte Olympia's kitty loafers have persuaded even the most die hard heels fans to go low and even Chloé have created a great fringed pair that are the perfect nod to this season's masculine feel. My style of choice? A pair of gold chunky brogues from Marni that will I know I'll wear to death.

As the above names show, everyone is doing it and it isn't just the big labels either. ASOS probably have the best selection around from the more classic ballet flat styles to cool loafers and timeless brogues.

Are you convinced?

SHOP THE EDIT: 1. Tartan loafers, £545, Christian Louboutin at Net-A-Porter; 2. Fringed loafers, £505, Chloe at Net-A-Porter; 3. Glitter loafers, £295, Jimmy Choo at Net-A-Porter; 4. Velvet covered leather loafers, £420, Miu Miu at Net-A-Porter; 5. Metallic leather brogues, £370, Marni at Net-A-Porter; 6. Leather and velevt creepers, £310, McQ at Net-A-Porter; 7. Loafer shoes, £38, ASOS;  8. Tassled loafers, £110, Bass Washington at ASOS

See more after the jump

The trouser suit has long been a stalwart piece in women's wardrobes. Since Yves Saint Laurent created his 'Le Smoking' women's tuxedo back in 1966, the piece has no doubt morphed into one of the single most transformative pieces of women's wear and for A/W12, it made a serious comeback. Just like Saint Laurent, this season designers seem to be more attune to the fact that women need clothes that make sense as much as they appeal aesthetically and as a result, we're spoilt for choice.

You can generally guage what the big trends will be by watching the Prada show and this season Miuccia Prada made a big statement. At both Prada and Miu Miu the trouser suit dominated sending a clear message that if there's anything you need to buy this coming season, it's that.

Throughout the shows in February there was a lot of talk about the clothes being like an armour, preparing women for the tough world out there right now and it's true. At the rate things are going, we can all do with as much help as we can get and there's no denying it's transformative powers. Even Caroline Issa spoke about it recently in the latest issue of ELLE UK. Talking about her recent Tom Ford suit purchase she said: 'When I wear it I feel like the chicest person alive - it is wearable art.' Whistles CEO Jane Shepherdson shared the sentiment. 'It's about authority,' she said in an interview with Karen Dacre about the suit's power in the workplace. 'If I feel I need 'armour' any day, then I will pull on a trouser suit. It let's people know you're serious and not to e messed with.' My-Wardrobe's founder Sarah Curran said the same thing. 'There's definitely an attitude that goes with wearing one,' she told Dacre. 'There is something about a trouser suit that gives an air of confidence that a dress could never do.'

From top left: Acne, Dries van Noten, Miu Miu, Todd Lynn, Todd Lynn, Alexander Wang, Celine, Elizabeth & James, Miu Miu and Prada

Read more after the jump

I'm not usually one for motifs, or colour in fact, but that's starting to change and 3.1. Phillip is responsible. Ever since Elin Kling sported his 'Ka-Pow' sweater during New York Fashion Week, I've been sold and so how everyone by the sounds of it. Both that style and his 'Break-Up' sweater have been seen on just about everyone and have been selling like hot cakes since hitting stores.

You can tackle the style in one of two ways. If, like me, you're still new to the whole statement prints and motifs game, make the sweater the statement and keep everything else muted. Alternatively you can go full-hog and team it with a statement block coloured skirt or pair of the printed trousers that we all can't get enough of this season.

Are you a fan?

SHOP THE EDIT: Sweater, £390, 3.1. Phillip Lim; Leather trousers, £605, Acne; Boots, £480, Acne

See more of my picks after the jump

As far as their accessories go, much is said about Marni's jewellery and shoes but what many people might not realise is that their handbag collections are equally as strong. If you're on the hunt for the perfect season-less bag, then, look no further than the brand's 'Doctor' bag, which is set to hit stores later this summer when the Fall 2012 collections drop.

The boxy structured style is a classic and is perfect for anyone like me who desperately need something big enough to carry the essentials, whilst not being big enough to carry the contents of your home too. Even better, the style comes in a wide range of colour ways and fabrics ranging from black suede to ivory calf leather but more than anything else, all of the variations are timeless and will stand you in good stead season after season.