Fashion Info - Ladies Autumn/Winter 2002

It seems that fashion's last few seasons have been building up to a style crescendo. Footwear for Autumn/Winter 2002 features some impossibly sexy creations: if you weren't a shoe fetishist before now, guaranteed you will be after this little lot hits the consumer foray. The general theme reflects the sultry, moody styles of the 1940's. This is a trend that will continue to dominate well into Spring 2003, so any styles you buy now are an investment. The shapes are unmistakably 40's, inspired by famous designers such as Salvatore Ferragamo and David Evins. These shoes look fantastic with this season's skirt suits, tailored blouses and vibrant, splashy prints.

Most styles are mid to high heel, many of them featuring evocative slingbacks, peep toes, ankle straps or a tiny buckle. Stitch, folds and scalloped edges are popular details, emphasising the all-important 40's silhouette. Lilac, gold, soft olive green and hot orange shades are the colours to look out for. The result? A look that says modern diva with a flair for vintage: as saucy as the original Noir film starlet and a bit naughtier for the new millennium.

Following on from last season's ostrich mania inspired by Prada's Spring/Summer 2002 collection, a broader selection of skin is set to slither into the A/W collections. Creatures great and small are featured in the mix, including faux or genuine python, lizard and crocodile.

The palette is fantastic: rich browns emphasising the natural tones of materials, deep viridian green, purple and hot orangey-reds. Elegant heels and refined details include tiny buckles, stirrup-style straps, beading and contrasting inner linings. Matching accessories enforce the look: box bags, wrist cuffs, belts and handbags. Style turns out to be skin deep...

High gloss - high glamour. If patent shoes and Mary-Janes remind you of tortured school days - this new incarnation will make you think again. This A/W sees the introduction of some amazing styles that appear to have been dipped in lip gloss: the effect is shiny, sleek and sumptuous. Mules, boots, slingbacks, loafers and heels have all had the treatment, along with a glazing of the most fabulous colours: lilac, yellow, bronze, orange and pillar-box red.

Yehaa.com! Designers are saddling up to one of fashion's favourite love-hate trends - the cowboy boot. The western philosophy is sexier and funkier this season, with streamlined looks that are more to do with whip-cracking, humdinger nights on the town than redneck line dancing costumes. Bold colours, chic patterns, embroidered details and clever styling will make you heed the call of the Wild West.

Check Mate. Autumn's mini-trend involves picnic blanket checks, only this time the cloth has been put to much better use. Probably following the revival of the traditional Burberry check - which, if you really know your stuff, has always been the epitome of cool - checks, tartans and brogue details create feminine, sophisticated shoes with matching handbags, of course. On the other end of the scale, designers have opted for crafty styles that seem to be souvenirs from exotic travels or the deep, dark, delvings into vintage boutiques. Clogs, moccasins, ankle boots and slippers make the framework of styles, whilst folksy, patchwork, quilting, Moroccan beading, Scandinavian embroidery and Nordic trims are some of the bohemian touches that stepped unexpectedly down the runways for A/W 2002.

Now that you're inspired, check out the ladies online shopping directory and find your Autumn/Winter footwear from the international collections featured online from the world's best footwear websites. What are you waiting for?