Pointy and exaggerated shoulder pads are the most ridiculous fashion trend ever.

At least that is the opinion of Daily Mail columnist Leah Hardy, who has claimed that not only is the look laughable, it also screams "macho, power and aggression" - things that no lady should want associated with her body.

The writer explained: "The theory behind such pads is that the broadness of your shoulders will create the illusion of a smaller waist and hips.

"I’m not convinced. Partly because, with Posh-style pads, nobody’s looking at your waist and hips - they are too busy laughing at your shoulders."

Commenting on stars like Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Kate Moss and Madonna’s choice to embrace the trend that was brought back into fashion by French label Balmain, so wholeheartedly, she said they look like wannabe superheroes.

I personally would have to disagree. Perhaps the fact that I’m currently swept up by the wave of fabulous designer clothing that sport the trend is only temporary. Maybe I’ll feel the same way about the trend in 20 years as those who endured it in the 1980s do now. Regardless, I think Balmain’s pagoda shoulder is gorgeous in all its dramatic glory.

And that’s what high-end fashion is all about after all - theatrics, drama, art. I’m not saying that I would feel comfortable wearing such an exaggerated style of jacket while out shopping at Tesco, but there’s still room for it in my wardrobe.

What do you think of the super shoulders?

Marc Jacobs recently claimed that the studded leather biker look is on its way out. Despite labels like Balmain, Stella McCartney and Christian Louboutin continuing to present the rock chick aesthetic as current, Marc is hell-bent on banishing the look.

Shortly after his spring/summer 2010 show, the designer claimed that it is no longer the same kind of individual expression it was 30 years ago when the Hell’s Angels sported studs.

However, that is just one man’s opinion. If budding fashion designer and all-round icon Victoria Beckham is anything to go by, studs are here to stay for a little while longer.

The 35-year-old was pictured attending a parents’ fair at her kids’ school in Los Angeles this week sporting the edgiest of outfits I think she has been seen in for ages.

She donned that gorgeous black leather military-inspired Balmain jacket from last season with the studded buttons and pointy exaggerated shoulders, along with some uber-sexy black leather trousers with - you guessed it - studs around the pockets and ankles.

Being the glamorous girly fashionista that she is, however, Victoria softened the look with an absolutely stunning gold vintage Rolex watch.

According to the Daily Mail, her entire ensemble was worth an estimated £11,500 - and just to go to a parents’ gathering at her children’s school!

I think I’ll continue making use of my studded designer clothes for the time being - mainly because I love the look. I’m not going to abandon one of my favourite trends just because Marc Jacob says to.

Are you sick and tired of studded leather?

If, like me, you are just loving fashion’s return to the decade that style forgot then you will have no doubt enjoyed the Moschino show at Milan Fashion Week.

Proof that 1980s-inspired power dressing is set to continue beyond this season and next was evident in the label’s spring/summer 2010 line, which consisted primarily of a lot of well-tailored almost Chanel-inspired suits.

But, in an unsurprising twist that is quintessentially Italian was the fact that the suits were made up of skimpy miniskirts and accessorised with insanely vertiginous heels - a far cry from the flats presented by Giorgio Armani.

My favourite suit to hit the catwalk comprised a cropped jacket with three-quarter length sleeves and an equally short miniskirt, both of which were trimmed elegantly with pearls. The suit was customised with a white silk blouse and draped with pearls, along with a salmon-pink clutch, chunky black bangle and a black asymmetric headpiece - Chanel eat your heart out.

On top of the chic tailored suits, another common thread to feature in the collection was sheer black tights. Whether this was down to the fact we were in Milan or because sheer is set to be huge next spring and summer remains to be seen by looking at other collections, but considering Giorgio Armani opted for sheer as opposed to opaque too is very telling methinks.

In stark contrast to the girly girl Chanel-esque style evoked by Moschino was the grunge-inspired makeup sported by the models, evidence that while doing the prim and proper look may be at the height of fashion, toughening it up is always a must.

Can coarse Moschino add edge to chic Chanel?

We’ve all experienced the dread. Planning an outfit for a big event for weeks, nay months, in advance only to break into a cold sweat when finally there and dolled up to the nines at the sight of someone else wearing a similar or even worse, the same, ensemble. This is why I choose designer clothes over high street every day. They are not mass-produced on quite as grand a scale and therefore carry less risk of this sort of thing happening. Well, almost.

Tinseltown’s celebs have had a lot to occupy themselves with over the last week, from the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) to New York fashion week, so of course there was going to be some fashion doubling up somewhere.

Raunchy songtresses Pink and Shakira must have been kicking themselves when they both hit the red carpet at the VMAs over the weekend. They probably thought they looked fabulous (which granted, they did) but when each spotted the other in the crowd wearing the exact same strapless figure-hugging Balmain minidress, they probably considered jumping back into their limos and heading home.

Being the good sports they are, however, and taking fashion a lot less seriously than some of us, they laughed about the fashion faux pas and posed together for the cameras.

Gossip Girl Leighton Meester and TV presenter Alexa Chung were not quite as thrilled when they doubled up at the Philllip Lim show during fashion week. Both wearing the same polka-dot dress, they quickly made sure to style there’s up to create individual looks. Alexa went rock chick by keeping her black leather biker jacket on over the dress, while Leighton tried to disguise hers with a thigh-length cardigan and belt combo. Quelle horreur!

Who gets your vote: Pink or Shakira? Alexa or Leighton?

We all know this season’s fashion is set to be fabulous. From 1980s-inspired short and shoulder dresses to wet-look treggings and fishnet tights, most designer clothing ensembles we are set to don will be quirkier and cooler than ever. But, as always, all that would be irrelevant if the look were to be spoiled with an ugly pair of designer shoes or most significantly, a nasty winter jacket. So, when shopping for the all-important practical coat this month or next, be sure to make the right decision.

According to online fashion magazine Fashion156.com, this year it is more important than ever to make a wise winter coat purchase - what with the recession et al. So it has claimed that investing as much money as you can afford is the best option to ensure you nab a coat that is both stylish and durable.

Luke Raymond, a staff writer at the magazine, explained: "Invest in classic pieces such as a belted Burberry trench and spend as much as you possibly can.

"An expensive coat with a great cut over a high street outfit will elevate it to another level."

This guy is certainly speaking our language. We here at Secret Sales HQ firmly believe that when it comes to a wardrobe staple such as a coat, a designer brand is always better than high street. You can be guaranteed serious fashion that not everyone else out there is likely to be wearing, ensuring that you maintain a sense of individuality during the cold months.

What style of coat do you have your eye on this season?