Fashion: Velvet Luxe

Whilst we may not like the weather winter brings, we rather like the goodies it offers our wardrobe. We're casting our fashion eyes to one of A/W09's hottest trends – velvet. Soft, sumptuous and gut-wrenchingly cool, velvet is this season's fabulous fabric of choice, adding a touch of opulence to autumn's austere palette. As usual, Whisper Mag has scoured the high streets's hottest to bring you the very best in velvet.

Luxurious velvet is best in rich, regal colours – deep purples, emerald greens, royal blues, and bold blacks – and if you're to tackle this trend properly, crushed is the only way to go. Well, our first item needs no better introduction. Topshop's long sleeved velvet bodycon dress in purple is top of our list, for £35.  Featuring a scoop front and a deep-scoop back, this little gem boasts a bodycon fit to boot. Two key trends in one - couldn't get much cooler, right?

Our next item gets a little more glam with Miss Selfridge's black glitter velvet dress (left). Perfect for adding a little luxe to our winter wardrobe, this gorgeous velvet black bodycon dress features all-over gold glitter detailing, too. Not bad for £35.

Next up, head to ASOS for their black velvet ruched mini skirt, £25. A super soft velvet mini with a low stretch waist, this skirt features ruched detail to the front and back with a trendy textured finish. It's not often you'll hear us call a bodycon skirt flattering, but the ruched detailing on this hottie hides a multitude of sins.

Back to Topshop again for our fourth, and perhaps favourite, pick.  Their velvet boyfriend blazer in black, £85, has got our trendy tongues wagging. It's a little higher up the price ladder than we'd have liked, but here's our reasoning: firstly, boyfriend blazers are a key piece this season, and a wardrobe essential; secondly, it'll double as our winter coat on nights out – warmer than a biker, prettier than a parker; and thirdly, not since Austin Powers have we seen a velvet jacket this cool.  Chic though this jacket may be, work it for daytime too by teaming it with an old band tee and drainpipe denims.  Investment? Definitely.

If you're not quite ready for full-on velvet va va voom, give your outfit a trendy twist with some accessories. Our favourite quilted chain strap bags have been given a new-season update over at ASOS, as patent leather is swapped for soft velvet with stud embellishments – get yours in the sale now for £12. At Urban Outfitters, meanwhile, summer's sweetest shoe, the loafer, takes an autumn turn, featuring faux velvet fabric and gold chain detailing to the front, £32.

If you're looking to let some luxe-for-less life into your winter wardrobe, velvet gets our vote.