IF I had to use one word to describe the autumn and winter collections this would be it: Glamour.

Planet fashion may be keeping you on your pedicured toes by mixing up the eras (1940s, 1960s and 1970s) and the looks (masculine, dominatrix, sporty and ladylike) but glamour runs through them all.

Ever since the banks took a nosedive we have been turning to Investment Dressing. Designers this season have added excitement to tradition by using exquisite fabrics, cashmere, silk and velvet, with masses of texture – shearling, fur, mohair and alpaca, together with oodles of detail. Whoever said less is more surely hasn't seen this season's accessories. Lets talk eras:

Forties:

OVERT sexual dressing is soooo pre-coalition. This season is all about sophistication. Brush up on your Debrett's etiquette girls and make like your new muse Wallis Simpson.

Groomed glamour in pencil skirts, lace and satin blouses, opulent furs, stacked heels in snakeskin, narrow belts and the all essential gloves. Remember, do not slavishly replicate an era or it tends to veer into fancy dress. Try a pencil skirt with a silk and lace shirt (£129 and £199 from Pinko), topped by a blonde faux fur coat at £89 from Topshop, and fur trimmed leather gloves from Caractere. This looks modern when worn with bare legs and ankle boots.

River Island has a great selection of stacked and stiletto heeled ankle loafer boots to make the look more edgy. The new way to wear your bag is tucked under your arm as in, "I've paid a fortune for this and I want everyone to see it" sort of way.

Wear your eyebrows fuller with a high arch like the silver screen sirens. Nails are short and dark. Try Bourjois 10 Days No Chips polish from Boots at £5.99 or Estee Lauder Metallic Sage, a great shimmer with a grey base. Lips are red. For a perfect pout try Lancôme's French Touch Absolut in Rouge at Banburys. The new Michael Kors Gold Eau de Parfum (£50 also at Banburys) with its mix of tuberose and magnolia is the best accessory to a ladylike look.

Sixties:

THE Burberry show was completely inspired by the sixties. Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy are your reference here. Miss 60s' life seems to have been very black and white – with a bit of red.

Get your groove on with a shift dress, narrow trousers and tunic tops, capes, cocoon knits, Peter Pan collars, polo necks, Chelsea or knee-high boots and boxy bags.

The overall silhouette is very minimalistic. I spotted (yes polka dots are big too) two very 1960s' style dresses in River Island, one with a Peter Pan collar, lace panelled skirt and one dotty with white collar and cuffs, both £45.

The Topshop black patent bag in the shape of a flower with gold chain at £29.99 would look great paired with these and some black knee-high boots (try Hattie B). Or try Private Collection's new Not Your Daughters ankle length jeans in bright red, paired with a cashmere roll-neck, and a gorgeous little grey cable knit cape by D'Exterior at £199, thrown over the top.

Wear thick black eyeliner. Diorshow waterproof liner (£17) will give a perfect flick, and do pale lips by blotting with concealer (oh dear – I used to do that more than 40 years ago). Just add Dior lipgloss to keep the look fresh.

Again don't wear matching dress, jacket, shoes, hat, bag and tights or you will have your own doors-to-manual moment. You are meant to look like you have come on your own jet, not a sixties' air hostess.

Seventies:

THE summer disco style of the seventies has been given a daytime makeover for this season. Gone are the flouro-colours and in their place is a palette of dusty caramels, browns, mustards, olive and boozy shades of merlot, plum and purple.

Pile on the layers in silk tea dresses, fur gilets, mohair and alpaca knits, needlecord trousers, supersize sunnies, sexy snakeskin and layers of gold chains and pendants. This is a truly easy and glamorous way to dress for a British winter, the tactile layering of silk, cashmere and fur works for most silhouettes.

A hat is an essential part of this look (and remember we are talking glamour here so not a knitted beanie). I'm thinking the Gucci brown felt version (£260) but could settle for the £15 version in Next. Or cut a dash in the peacock blue felt fedora in Accessorize.

Ditch the blue eyeshadow of summer and switch to the lovely muted colours in Lancôme's palette for eyes (Blondette Fatale at £33 at Banburys). While you are there try the new twist on Shalimar perfume, this classic has been given a spicy modern update (£37).

This Month:

I'm eating the glamorous pyramids of Belgian chocolate and praline at M&S (£3.79) and adding texture to my ice-cream (Hocking's of course) with crushed Maltesers. Heaven!

I'm reading Furious Love which chronicles the relationship of glamour queen Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who seemed to spend all their time drunk and in love.

I'm lusting after the Prada block heeled multi coloured snakeskin sandals. They'll make my life much more glamorous, I'm sure.

I'm watching Downton Abbey. Ah, the clothes. Now there's glamour. Also Strictly (just to see if Lulu lets slip the number of her plastic surgeon that she doesn't use) and X-factor. Just two words – Gary and Barlow. Oh and, of course, TOWIE (so awful it's reem, a classic example of how NOT to do glamour).

Tweet me @JaneatPC2 with what you're wearing, reading etc.