While many of us who did live through the decade may not look too fondly on a number of trends – think Spice Girl platforms (shudder) – 90s grunge was the look that defined a generation.

Topshop have got it spot on with their latest collection of rock-inspired t-shirts, denim and leather.

Get the look

Hippy Girl Photo Tee: £18,

Peace bra top £12,

Check grandad shirt £28,

Flat top plastic sunglasses:  £16,

April Nubock flat Chelsea, £62,

Black leather crossbody £68,

Moto Denim hotpants £30,

All Topshop

How to wear it

Do plenty of denim.  Long, short, fitted, a little baggy, as jeans, as a shirt, as a scarf…wherever, it just needs to look like it’s been lived in a little.

Midriffs are back in vogue so if you can bear to bare it then, well, do.

Checked shirts – wear over crop top or with denim shorts and boots for the perfect 90s grunge look.

Boots are flat or with a small chunky heel, ankle length and mean business.

So, it’s no surprise that our thoughts have turned to next season’s trends earlier than expected.  With that little taste of Spring in the stores there’s plenty to get excited about on the fashion front and looking at River Island’s SS12 collection is enough to have us looking around for a beach to go and lie on.  Layering on the colour and the prints next season is going to be bright and playful for men and women…

Here’s a little taster of River Island’s Spring /Summer 2012 collection.

Animal hats

The quirky hat trend was still a hit on the catwalks and a high street favourite.  Try adding ears to a faux fur hat for a little fun factor or go all out with this wolf hat from River Island.

Left to right: Topshop Faux Fur Cat Ear Hat £28; Leopard fur ears Dorothy Perkins £18; River Island Brown Faux Fur Wolf Hood £25

Hats with pom poms

Pom poms are back and they’re everywhere, hanging down from trapper style hats to on top to both.

Criss Crosse, Dorothy Perkins, £12;  Faux fur pom pom beanie, Topshop, £12; River Island Grey Faux Trapper £20

Woolly headbands

Made for keeping heads warm and bad hair days at bay a woolly headband is the latest winter warming trend.

Claret knitted bow headband, Dorothy Perkins, £8; Knitted grey headband, Oliver Bonas, £16.00; Cream plaited headband £12.50 Jon Rocha Debenhams

Spend or save

Balmain £3000, Reiss £140, Rver Island £45

Pair with leather boots and jacket for a daytime rocker look or for full on evening 80s glam add fur, leather and feathers plus chunky gold jewellery.

Rock chick by day

Boots: Zara £79.99, Top: Topshop £26.00, Leather jacket: Topshop £180, Bracelet: Mango £27.90

Eighties glam rocker by night

Boots: £99.99 Zara, Top: Wallis £100, Bracelet: Michael Kors £65, Clutch: Biba at House of Fraser £145

As you’ll be wearing them a lot we suggest investing in a good pair.  These Office Nico platforms at £105 in tan are perfect with skinny jeans.  The ambush leopard ankle boots are £80 at Topshop with their wedged heel are great for girls who want to run around while looking stylish in their boots.  But for killer stilletos, Verity by Kurt Geiger in black are our favourite at £119, down from £180.

First it’s the monochrome Jane Norman dress featured in this year’s Car Bootique at Westfield London.  It was one of  our favourites backstage and at £35 is a real steal.

The French Connection Aztex Maxi dress is £180 of gorgeous Grecian goddess glam.  It’s on the must have list for Autumn/Winter for sure.

This amazing long sleeve Biba maxi that Catwalk Queen picked out on her shop around the centre recently and is on sale now for £50 at House of Fraser.

Dilemma 1:  I have a big party, a little black dress but only £20 til payday to dress it up!

All you need now is killer accessories.  Keep it simple and get a couple of real standout pieces.  With £20 we suggest some gorgeous statement jewellery to really make you feel like a million dollars.  Our go to for brilliant pieces on a budget comes from the designers at Debenhams.  Try a Butterfly by Matthew Williamson skull necklace for only £8.00 and these Star by Julien Macdonald crystal earrings for £12.

Dilemma 2: I need some autumn outfits for the office which are fashionable but warm

Colder weather doesn’t have to mean hiding under knits and thick tights.  Shirts and blouses are still a staple and to keep warm try insulating from underneath rather than covering up with jumpers.  M&S  have some great thermal vests that will keep you warm under sleek shirts while jersey dresses which are incredibly flattering, elegant and most importantly warm.  A jacket over a short sleeved cashmere knit is also a winner. And, of course, autumn winds mean that boots are back!  Try Jones the Bootmaker or Schuh for sleek ankle boots as oppose to knee highs for this season.

Dilemma 3: I can’t seem to find trendy and at the same time comfortable clothes, which is really important being a new mum 

Luckily trendy doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.  Maxi skirts and dresses which are incredibly comfortable and flattering on most shapes are still very much on trend.  This season’s catwalks showcased classic pieces like polo necks and simple skirts in autumnal shades of burgundies and you can find these on the high street at Monsoon and Oasis.  Big oversized jumpers (quite possibly the most comfortable wardrobe item ever invented) were on the likes of the Stella McCartney and Balenciaga catwalks and are very much on trend for this season and you’ll find some great warmers in Zara.  Don’t feel like you have to wear any trend that you think is in. Whatever you wear, feeling comfortable and confident is the most important thing and you will look like you own any trend if you feel good in it.

Dilemma 4: I’m between maternity and normal clothes, what’s the best style to go for?

While the temptation to squeeze back into those jeans is inevitable the best thing to wear when you’re in between sizes, skirts and maxi dresses.  Gypsy style skirts, such as those from Apricot or H&M, make a bit of a come back this season and can be a blessing for anyone trying to feel comfortable and fashionable.  Rather than going for completely fitted dresses, wear draped dresses or ones that fall from just below the bust line leaving plenty of breathing room.  Kaftans are also back in fashion so you can hide any tell tale bumps while showing off your legs in elasticated jeans or trousers.  

Dilemma 5: Where can I find clothes for plus sizes other than Evans and Ann Harvey?

A lot of stores haves started expanding their plus size ranges of late.  M&S have some really gorgeous clothes in this season which come in all sizes.  We love the new season collections in Dorothy Perkins particularly the jackets and brightly coloured dresses which go up to a size 22 while Next have an extensive plus size selection so most of our favourite pieces come in everything from size 8 to size 26 including some flattering evening dresses like this one shoulder body shaper dress with control slip for extra sleek lines.

While the midi may spring to mind far-too-sensible work attire and skirts we used to desperately try and shorten at school this new selection is far from fusty in its bright colours and floaty fabrics. Miss Selfridge have a particularly fab collection of styles. We love.

Bbue Topshop £38, red pleated, Oasis £42, Mustard crepe Miss Selfridge £22

So, we asked the team at Topshop to show us some of the key pieces for this holiday season and how to make a capsule wardrobe for a beach holiday.  Here’s their personal shopper Shereen Farahi with all the info:

Here are the 10 key items you need:

• A two piece bikini
• A maxi dress
• A one piece swimsuit
• A pair of light print or floral shorts
• A floppy or straw hat
• A pair of flat pumps – the fruitier the better
• Sunglasses
• A white dress/kaftan that can be dressed up or down
• A pair of wedges for day to night]
• Chunky statement jewellery