The LOOK Show Diaries #6

For the final instalment of my LOOK Show Diaries, I wanted to share with you some of the key trends, which emerged from the catwalk. While there were some fantastic designer-alikes on the runway, each store also managed to make the autumn/winter trends feel fresh and unique by adding their own individual twist to the looks. Whether you decide to try androgyny or pattern clashing, there's guaranteed to be at least one trend you can take away and try for yourself. And remember, one of the best things about the LOOK Show is that everything featured is available to buy on the High Street right now!

Whether you decide to swap the stilettos for brogues, or the dress for braces, the key to pulling off the androgynous look is all in the proportions. Keep coats oversized, blazers fitted and trousers cropped, but team them with simple feminine details; a mini dress, a high heel or a flash of pretty tones (reds and pinks will do) to prevent you stepping into cross-dressing territory. 

Best for androgyny: Forever 21 

One of my favourite things about winter dressing is the colours that are synonymous with the season. From fallen leaves, to rusted copper, tones of orange were warming to look at - perfect for winter.

Best for orange tones: Dorothy Perkins

Monochrome looks are always a favourite with me because they're so simple and classic, it's very hard to get them wrong. Blazers and ties looked fierce when paired with leather leggings (are you brave enough?), but my choice would be the Oasis pinafore dress layered over a long sleeve knit.

Best for monochrome: Next

Aside from Alesha Dixon's dancing and the model's sly smiles when friends cheered them on from the crowd, the real fun came from the playful print collaborations. Polka dots, animal prints and tribal patterns all came together in a mix of colours and textures to brighten up any winter morning. Remember that the loudest print will draw the most attention, so wear it on your proudest parts!

Best for playful prints: Urban Outfitters

Electric blue was by far the most popular colour choice on the catwalk. It was best used as a striking accent in an outfit, so keep it to a minimum for an ice cool look. The contrast print dress from H&M has my vote.

Best for blue hues: Marks and Spencer

The Sixties were back in full swing on the LOOK runway, with the famous mini dress in candy colours making a welcome revival. As this look is all about flashing your legs, you might think it's best kept for summer, but mid-length sleeves, oversized peter pan collars, and knee-high socks with flats are all ways of toning down the look by adding a touch of lady-like chic for the winter. 

Best for sixties style: Monsoon

Whether in chiffon or leather, the midi remains the most stylish skirt length for autumn. I'll be wearing mine with a polo neck in simple block colours a la H&M. I love the clean lines and minimal style. Add a floppy hat (the accessory to have at the LOOK Show) for a lady-like vibe.

Best for midi skirts: Miss Selfridge

I can't believe how quickly the LOOK Show experience has gone! It doesn't seem that long ago that I was sat in my caravan overwhelmed to be in the Top 20 let alone the Final 5! It was such an incredible experience for me to be able to attend a show organised by a magazine I admire so much. I've read LOOK for years, so to be sat on the front row at the show was incredibly surreal for me. I feel very lucky that my first insight into the fashion world was such a fun one. I'm well aware the industry isn't one long trip in the VIP lounge, but it was lovely to have a taster. I'm finally heading back home to Devon tomorrow (I've been on work experience in London for the past two weeks), and I now have to find a way of packing all the prizes that came with the experience into my suitcase. It's hardly the worst thing that could have happened, but believe me, it's going to be a challenge!

I just want to say a huge thank you to the people who were involved in making this experience happen:

• The LOOK Team and Lara Lain, who has played a huge part in getting us girls the VIP treatment!
• Westfield Stratford for hosting the event and giving us £200 to explore the new mall with. 
• Toni & Guy for gifting Laurie and I a free haircut as well as a goody bag!
• Bumpkin for my first bloggers night out - a delicious three course meal and free reign over the wine menu....
• Vue Cinema & All Star Lanes, who I'll be taking up on the offer of yet another great night out in the future...
• And Premier Inn for providing a bed to rest my aching feet in at the end of it all!

Last, but definitely not least, I'll share with you the secret highlight of all good fashion shows - the goody bag!

L-R: Magazines, H&M scarf, lipgloss and eye shadow from LOOK's new makeup range, Next perfume, Monsoon bracelets, compact mirror, Make Believe fake tan, Label M products, Kleenex tissues, Palmers Cocoa butter, Evian water, Miss Selfridge gift card, facial treatments, New Look discount vouchers, Westfield photographic chocolate, LOOK Show pass (there was also a Burt's Bees lip balm and Cadbury's chocolates, but the former was already in pride of place in my handbag and the latter had been devoured immediately after the show!)

I really hope you've enjoyed sharing my experience at the LOOK Show with me. One of my highlights has been finding more people to share my blog with, so thank you so much for your feedback because without it, it wouldn't be half as fun! There's still another round to the competition, which will be decided by the LOOK Editor and the team. To win would just be the icing on top of what has already been an amazing experience, which I never thought I'd get to be a part of. With previous winners of the competition including Lily and Amelia, and fantastic blogs from the other 4 finalists, I'm not holding out much hope, but I'll keep the old fingers and toes crossed just in case. If only my caravan was smaller, I'd take it around as a lucky charm - it's worked wonders so far! Who knew!

You can find all my LOOK Show Diaries here as well as under the link in my sidebar. And you can read even more about the show from the online, special edition magazine here.