It cannot have escaped your attention that the weather is getting pretty nippy outside. I was forced into buying my first winter coat of the season just the other day because I was so cold during a shopping trip that I clearly hadn’t dressed appropriately for.

But, with must-have winter coats and woolly hats come my favourite accessories that I feel just liven up any boring old outfit - hosiery!

Now is the time to start thinking about what kind of tights you want to stock your wardrobe with. Black opaque ones are an essential - obviously - as are some old school Parisian type grey and woollen ones, which look fabulous as part of a prissy designer clothing ensemble.

But according to Vogue, we dedicated followers of fashion shouldn’t stop there when it comes to branching out with different styles of tights, saying: "Legs go luxe with sparkle, stripes, swirls and checks."

So, what does this mean? Well, designer labels like Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu, Jean Paul Gaultier, Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs spring to mind.

Their autumn/winter collections were full of tights that encompassed colour, variety and texture, providing such a range that no outfit could possibly look dull in the frosty light of day. For example, think pink tights with silver circle sequins, spangly silver tinsel effects and even candy-inspired stripes.

If you’re afraid of colour and prefer to play it safe yet chic with muted blacks and grey ensembles, inject just a burst of the rainbow with hosiery like this!

Do you think tights can complete an outfit?

Yes, it’s true that we here at Secret Sales HQ love designer clothes. If it’s Balenciaga I’ll wear it, same goes for Balmain, Chloe and Moschino of course. But just because I have a particular penchant for high-end labels, that doesn’t mean I would forgo the high street entirely.

As I’m sure you know by now, I completely adore Topshop. Granted, if your entire wardrobe is stocked entirely with the store’s designs, chances are you won’t make much of a unique impression when rolling up to that fabulous Christmas party in the same dress as four other girls! Being selective when making purchases is a must, but one thing’s for sure, you’re likely to get a very fashionable buy in this shop.

So, it should come as no surprise just how excited I am that Kate Moss’s new Topshop line has finally been launched. And I have to admit, it’s stunning as usual.

Inspired by her favourite vintage pieces from her own wardrobe, the range comprises the usual cute slips, statement dresses, quirky jackets and sexy bejewelled knitwear.

There is one seriously sexy plunging sequin minidress in the line which would look fabulous with some black fishnets and killer heels, while Kate has gone oriental with an asymmetric bamboo-print dress.

Another notable piece is the stunning rose Geisha blouse, which follows the Japanese and Chinese theme nicely, which is certainly a pretty and girly alternative to the tough grungy rock looks that are still prevalent at the minute.

Do you think fashion icon Kate has delivered another winning line?

The Gucci Group, which consists of some of my favourite fashion houses, from Stella McCartney and Bottega Veneta to Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, is not afraid to admit that it has received some knocks over the last year as a result of the economic downturn. Haven’t we all? But that doesn’t mean that it can’t start preparing for when the world’s financial situation starts to pick up.

Gucci Group chief executive officer Robert Polet told Reuters this week that while the company has no intention of stocking up inventories to astronomical proportions, it does anticipate growth over the next 12 months. With so many fabulous designer clothing brands under the company umbrella, that makes perfect sense to me.

"I see the world as being prepared for everything. You do not want to miss an upturn when the upturn comes, but you do not want to build up inventories either," he explained.

If the group does have any intentions of focusing more heavily on one brand than another, then my money is on Balenciaga since Polet himself claimed that it has been its fastest growing label. "It is delivering on all the things it set out to do two years ago," he added.

That might be a lot of pressure for the brand’s head honcho designer Nicolas Guesquiere to handle, but I’m sure he’s up to the challenge - particularly since Balenciaga’s massive celebrity following can be attributed to his talents since he took to the helm of the label back in 1997.

Which Gucci Group brand is your favourite?

French actresses have a certain je ne sais quoi about them that attracts the world’s top fashion designers. First it was Audrey Tatou fronting a gorgeous campaign for Chanel - and subsequently going on to star as Coco herself in a biopic of the icon’s life - and then Marion Cotillard for Dior of course.

The latest squeeze to have been snapped up by a high-end designer is the gorgeous Charlotte Gainsbourg who is probably best known for her roles in the Bob Dylan flick I’m Not There and the forthcoming controversial Antichrist with Willem Defoe.

The 38-year-old actress will front the upcoming Balenciaga campaign for the 2010 launch of Nicolas Ghesquiere’s new scent for the label. But rather than just pose for a few pictures and maybe a TV ad, Charlotte is set to collaborate with her long-time friend Nicolas to achieve the precise fragrance he wants.

Catherine Walsh, senior vice-president of marketing for Coty Prestige, the company behind the production of the perfume, explained that the star was selected more for this purpose as opposed to simply being suitable for the product. She explained: "It was less about who we can get to endorse it and was more about developing a fragrance around her and Nicolas’ thoughts."

Balenciaga is renowned for its gorgeous designer dresses and handbags, but never before has it released a perfume. If it’s like any of the countless scents by other high-end labels like Dolce and Gabbana, Emporio Armani, Dior or Chloe, then I expect it will be delicious!

French actresses seem to be revered in fashion - but are they really all they’re cracked up to be?

I know, we’re not even half way through July yet and I’m already talking about what to wear in September, but a girl needs to be prepared, right?

Autumn/winter 2009 collections have been wonderfully diverse, but I’ve picked out just a few trends that I’m expecting to be particularly fabulous, so much so that wearing them will stop you from noticing the cold winds settling in.

Balenciaga is going to have a major impact on what we wear. The sheer drama that exudes from the designer clothes is enough to make me want to get a big spoon and eat them - but since I can’t do that, wearing them will have to do. Or should I say draping them? Next season is all about Grecian-inspired fluid drapes in ethereal shades and fabrics. Think rose pink and champagne in luxurious silks and satins. Pair the light colours with dark lace and tights and you’ll be good to go!

Since Gucci went all country manor-inspired with its lashings of tweed tailored dresses and skirt suits on the runway, it is only a matter of time before fashionistas in the know adopt the easy yet elegant look in autumn. One would usually anticipate warm browns and beiges with tweed, but that is so passe. This year, the English gentleman’s fabric is having an urban makeover and the colour has got to be concrete jungle grey.

And I know the look has already been sported this summer by A-list fashionistas like Dannii Minogue, but 1980s-inspired getups are set to explode. Dolce and Gabbana have presented everything from asymmetrical tops and dresses to wet-look leggings, shoulder pads and peplums. Recreate the age of excess but be sure to forego the fluorescent pinks and oranges - simply be inspired by the extravagant shapes and bold fabrics that the decade of New Wave made fabulous.

Have I listed anything that you wouldn’t be caught dead in?