Leather-bound for hot autumnal look (From Penarth Times)

Leather-bound for hot autumnal look

AS local shops put away the summery pastel colours and floaty chiffons, now is the time to go hell for leather.

It is the season's absolute must-have for jackets, trousers and skirts which are gorgeously soft and warm enough to wear.

What makes them even more attractive is that the trend for colour has spilled over into leather with a choice of bright pinks, brick red, vibrant orange and olive green.

Black is around, of course, but it is not always the best choice as it can look too heavy. The best basic colours for autumn are either caramel or chocolate brown.

If you want the look but don't want to buy leather - either on the basis of cost or principle - there are plenty of good PVC pieces on the high street, also in a variety of colours.

Don't forget it was the Gucci biker jacket in autumn 1998 that sparked off this latest, enduring trend. Celebrities including Madonna and Meg Mathews wore the Gucci version in ox-blood red - which immediately sold out - while DJ Zoe Ball had it in black.

It was immediately picked up and copied by everyone and has proved so popular that it is still very much in evidence three years on. The biker-style has taken over from last year's neat cardigans as the perfect cover-up.

It is possible to pick up a leather jacket for around £50, but is worth spending more for better quality because, according to Nicole Thompson, fashion director of She magazine, it is going to be around for a long time yet.

"There will be lots of leather because it is one of the main trends for autumn/winter. Scarlet is a big colour for later in the year," she said. As with most things, less is more. Even if you can afford to invest in a matching skirt and jacket, don't wear it together. It looks much better with other fabrics, particularly with denim.

There has already been a move away from the biker-style with longer line, fitted jackets becoming more popular as well as luxurious, fitted trench-coats.

Trousers and skirts are also everywhere but they have been completely updated from their 80s outing.

Hipsters and bootlegs are the new trouser styles while skirts should be knee-length and either A-line or pencil tight.

The best buys are at New Look which often has the perfect A-line skirt in a choice of colours.

And the store's other best buy is its long, belted trench coat - a stylish alternative to this year's mac.

Oasis caters for both smart and casual tastes with its long, Posh Spice style fitted type jackets and the cropped, biker-style in sexy scarlet.

French Connection has a good selection of leathers but the quality is reflected in the prices. A single breasted black jacket is £300 as is the biker jacket. Matching jeans-style trousers and a knee-length pencil skirt are also available.

For a different texture, try FC's stiffer "raw" leather which has been used for a black biker jacket and matching hipster trousers.

Marks & Spencer's bid to become more fashionable includes a high quality biker jacket in soft leather.

If you are going for the PVC option head for George at Asda which often stock the perfect biker-style jacket in bright pink and orange and more standard choices of black, white and grey.