The Early Bird Catches the Best Buys!

I'm a month and a half into the endlessly long Uni summer break, and already I'm getting restless. Despite gym classes, volunteering work and catching up on all the reading I don't have time for in term time (enforced reading doesn't count! I mean Meg Cabot not Charles Dickens!), despite all this, I'm ALREADY starting to think about next year and even, SHOCK HORROR, coursework! With this forward thinking mindset, it was inevitable I would rekindle my love of all things fashion by poring over the mags and store websites in search of early bird intelligence and pre season super buys. I'm always keen to start the new Uni year with a fresh wardrobe, packed full of early trends and autumn orientated design. Sort of swapping sarongs for sheepskin. In hot anticipation, even though extremely lacking in funds, here are my top picks of the High Street's first A/W '10 collections:

• Everyone with even the slightest interest in fashion must surely know by now that A/W '10's key jacket style is the aviator, and I'm desperate to get in there first (as soon as I find some £££!) They are notably expensive, but if bought early and treasured all season, they're surely worth the splurge. The best I've seen so far are from ASOS.com. With soft black leather, gold hardwear and a creamy sheepskin collar, their £120 wonder buy (click the link above for a pic) is a stunning piece of style, and will be coming to the site soon. Can't wait!

• Red is a major colour palette for A/W '10, and one I'll be heavily investing in. Chanelling Parisienne chic, hollywood glamour, or punky cool, this trend will be flooding the highstreet and can be worn in a way to suit your personality. H&M is fantastic for early red hot picks (excuse the pun), and I've already snapped up a polka dot dress with a black bow (another key trend), perfect for the teacher traning interviews I'll have coming up. Sophisticated yet on trend - often a rare marriage.

•  The maxi dress is here to stay. No longer just a summer staple, this dress miracle has been transported to A/W '10 by altering the fabrics and shades, and no one has done this better than Miss Selfridge. Their Purple Lace Placket Maxi Dress, £25 is a soft jersey style in a delicious berry shade, perfect for the summer - autumn trandition.

• Faux fur is not only animal friendly and snug, but also very on trend for A/W '10. Yay! We all know that Uggs have made the transition in recent years from casual comfort to mainstream fashion, mostly due to their ability to feel like slippers whilst still looking cool. Faux fur has that same crossover ability, so grab this stole, £25 from Topshop, in order to rock the trend before anyone else and keep those autumn chills at bay. Like a hug on a hanger.

•  Animal print is going to be huge this A/W '10 and can be styled in a varity of ways. If you have a punky streak, try leggings or jeans, if you're a glamour puss, a volumous fur coat would be perfect, or for a more casual take on this sexy print, try Warehouse's Animal Cardi, £35. Worn with dark skinny jeans and patent black heels, it screams sexy yet sophisticated. Let loose your wild side!

So don't be shy about buying A/W '10 key pieces in August. Dive in there early, team with your summer pieces, and earn maximum style points for getting there first! More hot buys to come so stay tuned...

Lou xxx