Autumn is around the corner, bringing with it colourful leaves, the start of another school year and lots of rain (probably!). Still, August has been rather damp, so at least we’re used to it already.

Don’t be sad about the end of the sunshine though. Autumn always brings some gorgeous new ladies’ fashion to enjoy. Yours truly actually loves autumn and winter clothes. It’s so easy to look stylish in the colder months – a smart shift dress, a nice hat and some knee-length boots look so sophisticated.

Dresses are a wardrobe staple when it comes to autumn fashion. Treat yourself to a couple of patterned numbers along with a black dress or two. Think day to night for dresses that you want to wear during the week – the right dress looks as good with a jacket for work as it does with a cardigan for evenings out afterwards.

Layered dressing is a good approach for autumn days, as the temperature can be changeable. Make sure you have a couple of sleeveless or short-sleeved dresses on hand for surprise warm days – you can team these with bolero jackets, or wear a blouse underneath, when it’s colder.

If there’s one item of ladies fashion that will never go out of style, it’s the shift dress.

Shift dresses are always classy and elegant and, marvellously, look graceful and flattering on all shapes and sizes. Shift dresses are perfect day to night wear and look great at work, at weddings and even on hot dates!

This style of dress works really hard for you. It emphases your curves, holds you in, lifts you up and generally makes you look both classy and classic. What more could you want?

Our tip is to invest in a couple of plain and a couple of patterned shift dresses. These versatile little numbers can be dressed up and down and back again with clever accessorizing and thus are an essential part of every woman’s capsule wardrobe. For example, plain black shift dress with gold jewellery, an up do and killer heels – party time! Plain black shift dress with flat sandals, a cardigan and a statement necklace – a beautiful work outfit!

Every woman should have at least one fabulous cocktail dress in her wardrobe – one cocktail dress per season, that is!

As we begin the last month of the summer (sob) and thus the last month of wedding season, we turn our Kaleidoscope-shaped eye towards some of the most fashionable cocktail dresses around at the moment. If you’re looking for something chic and of the moment to wear to that special black tie wedding (or other special occasion), here’s a round-up just for you.

Maxi dresses lend themselves to cocktail dressing beautifully. It’s their glamorous, elongated line and sophisticated length that really does it. Team with wedges and colourful jewellery.

Little black dresses – ah, the original and best. A cocktail dress that will serve you well, whatever the occasion, the little black dress is dramatic, versatile and a must-have all round.

Shift dresses suit women of all ages because of their classic cut. Especially chic when teamed with a jacket or bolero, this season’s key shifts are in nude tones and bold floral patterns.

Did you know that it’s easier to look smart in the summer? That’s because of the wonderful world of summer dresses. Simply slip on a dress and you instantly look refined and feminine – with no effort at all!

Here at Kaleidoscope we love summer dresses and have been browsing our favourite home shopping catalogue for some dresses to buy this season. We’re particularly excited about some of the shift dresses and mother of the bride dresses that we’ve got for you – why don’t you go and have a browse?

The great thing about summer dresses is that they can have their look changed with some simple yet oh so clever accessorising. For example, take the shift dress. With silver flip-flops and earrings and your hair worn loose, you have a perfect outfit for summer holiday dining. Switch that for smart strappy shoes, a jacket and an up-do and you have an outfit perfect for a wedding.

Wrap dresses are a ladies fashion classic. They first became popular more than 30 years ago, thanks to fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, who invented the jersey wrap dress in 1973. These days, you’ll find wrap dresses in nearly all of your favourite home shopping catalogues, with Kaleidoscope’s being no exception!

Why are wrap dresses so wonderful? Well, they have three excellent effects. Their shape trims the waist, enhances the bust and makes hips appear smaller as well. Really, what’s not to like?

Altogether, wrap dresses give you a very feminine and floaty shape that’s timeless, sexy and a real boost to the old self-confidence. Wrap dresses, like self-confidence, will never go out of style and can be worn on any occasion. They are particularly great for dates, especially if you’re getting back into the dating game after a few years out of the scene, because they make you feel and look womanly and attractive.

Some people won’t wear black at weddings, some people won’t wear black in the summer. Here at Kaleidoscope we say – wear black whenever you want, just wear it cleverly to suit the occasion or season!

Wearing black in the summer, whether it’s a black dress or black trouser suit, is often avoided because people feel it makes you feel too hot (dark colours attract more heat). If you choose the right styles and fabrics, this can be avoided. Black is a perennially stylish colour and one that works throughout the year. So here are our tips for wearing black in the summer:

Fabulous fabrics – choose lighter fabrics. Think airy and floaty. Linen, chiffon and light lace are good choices.

Make a shift – a light linen shift dress in black, paired with nude sandals and oversized black sunglasses, is such a chic summer outfit.

Colour combinations – don’t be afraid to mix black up with bright colours for a super summery feel. Alternatively, beige, white and khaki are very chic colours to mix black with.

Au naturel – when it comes to accessorising your black summer outfit, choose natural colours and fabrics for a relaxed, light and cosmopolitan look.

Can you hear that clanging sound? It’s the chiming of wedding bells in the air!

Summer in Britain is traditionally our wedding season. Maybe it’s because of the chance of better weather, maybe it’s because the caterers are cheaper than in winter (fat chance!) but either way we love a wedding here at Kaleidoscope because it gives us a chance to browse through our favourite home shopping catalogues and choose a lovely new dress to wear!

If you’ve been invited to share a couple’s happiest day, then you’ll want to know which area of ladies fashion is most suitable in terms of your outfit. We’ve done the hard work for you and come up with some great ideas.

Shift dresses are a classic, especially in summery tones like pale pinks and blues. Team with nude courts or sandals.

Mother of the bride outfits aren’t just for the mother of the bride, especially if you’re going to a very smart affair. It’s worth browsing the mother of the bride sections of catalogues to see which outfits take your fancy.

Trousers are acceptable for more relaxed occasions (but never jeans). Be the height of ladies fashion by pairing your trousers with glitzy sandals and a designer clutch.

Have a flick through our latest look book, featuring a range of items from the upcoming Autumn-Winter 2010 collection. Items included in the Look Book can found by clicking here >

Click here to see all the items featured >

Apart printed scarf

We may laugh at our bald husbands and partners, but at least they don’t have to deal with bad hair days. Bad hair, like chipped manicures, parking tickets and unexpectedly cold food in restaurants, is enough to ruin a whole day – if not most of the week.

There are however some creative ways to deal with a bad hair day. Here at Kaleidoscope.co.uk our favourite way to deal with a bad hair day is to stay in bed with a hat on, reading our favourite home shopping catalogues and buying some new dresses to cheer ourselves up. Sadly, this is not always an option, so why not try the following:

Clip it up: If you have a pretty hair clip, fascinator or other accessory, wear it. It will divert attention away from your greasy or dry locks.

Hat’s the answer: Whether winter or summer, a hat is always a stylish accessory and clever hair cover-up. Make sure your hat matches your dress.

Shift the attention away: Wear something utterly fabulous, like your favourite shift dress or trouser suit. People will be so busy admiring your outfit that they won’t even notice your hair.

Accessories aplenty: Similar to the tip above. A pretty scarf will draw the attention away from the head, as will a bright belt. Don’t wear big earrings though as that will have everyone staring straight at your head!

Jacques Vert Tulip Hem Hat

Summer is wedding season and many of us will be treated to the sight of a (hopefully) happy bride and groom starting their lives together. In fact, some of us will even have the great privilege of being the mother of the bride.

It’s incredibly exciting to be the mother of the bride – there are so many amazing mother of the bride outfits to choose from. Oh yes, and you get to see your child get married. But really – what a fabulous excuse to buy some more ladies’ clothing! It can be tricky getting the balance right though, so here are Kaleidoscope.co.uk’s five ways to be a stylish mother of the bride.

1. Be classy. Even if you usually dress in a youthful way, aim for mature sophistication. This is not a day to try and dress the same age as your daughter.

2. When in doubt, reach for a shift dress. Shift dresses are a flattering style classic and can look contemporary yet classy, especially when combined with a fashionable hat.

3. Maxi dresses are a fashionable choice if your daughter is getting married on the beach – and a more suitable choice than a bikini! Paired with jewelled flip-flops and a fascinator, they’re perfect for exotic getaway type ceremonies.

4. It’s all in the detail. Whatever type of ladies’ clothing or dress you decide to wear, don’t forget to accessorise, have a manicure and pedicure and get your hair done. These small things make a difference!

5. Stick with what you know. If you have a favourite type of shift dress, cocktail dress or maxi dress, wear it. Today is not the day to go experimenting with wild outfits or unfamiliar styles.