GREY AND FASHION رنگ خاکستری رنگ پاییز

Grey Goddesses

No longer confined to school uniforms and old ladies, grey is the new colour of the season. Shereen Low finds out how to look good in grey.

Every colour wants to be the 'it' colour of the new fashion season, but only one can win the accolade.

Grey has shrugged off its stuffy and fuddy-duddy image to become the hottest colour of autumn. No longer is it confined to school uniforms and old ladies - instead, every shade from silver to charcoal is now worn by Hollywood A-listers such as Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Halle Berry.

"This season's neutral, grey, is perfect for work wear. It's restrained enough to be taken seriously by management but it's fashion-savvy and not dull," InStyle's Charlotte Moore says.

"It works well when teamed with a single colour - scarlet is a classic pairing, as is baby pink or blue. For a more modern edge, opt for bright hues such as pistachio or cherry."

She also suggests that dark charcoal is ideal for serious trouser suits, while paler, soft dove grey adds femininity to skirts and blouses.

The trick is to find the right shade for you.

"To find the most flattering shade of grey, look for colours that provide a good contrast to your complexion, or you may end up looking washed out," she adds.

Directionally grey

Forget about buying a whole new wardrobe - with these directional pieces, you can kill two birds with one stone.

Volume is a big trend this season, so go voluminous with Wallis' billowing wool caped coat, £70, Dorothy Perkins' checked wide-leg trousers, £25, or Tu's bubble dress, £20 at Sainsbury's.

Jumper dresses are a flashback to the 80s, another fashion trend, and you can get the look with Matalan's knitted dress, £14 (pictured), Marks & Spencer's belted jumper dress, £35, or French Connection's grey belted sweater dress, £60.

Grey jeans are back with a vengeance, but if you can't afford J Brand grey slim-fit jeans, £120 from LA Star Style, Next's straight-leg embroidered jeans, £44.99, or Additions Direct's skinny jeans, £16, are perfect alternatives.

French Connection's tweed bow belt jacket, £110, is ideal if you want that ladylike look, while George at ASDA's cotton-mix belted jacket, £24, has three-quarter sleeves and a bubble-like hem.

Essentially grey

Grey isn't going to be just a flash-in-the-pan trend, but if you want your greys to stick around for a while, try these gems.

Gap's grey tweed trousers, £45, are a definite must-have for any wardrobe and will never go out of fashion.

Slouchy boyfriend jumpers are popular now, and can be worn with jeans or over leggings as a dress. Take a look at Principles' cowl neck tunic, £45 (pictured), and Warehouse's cowl-neck long-length jumper, £45 - but if you prefer something more classic, try Lands' End's cashmere V-neck sweater, £79, or Monsoon's Paradise long-line cardigan, £55.

Marks & Spencer's Per Una light grey rib cardigan, £45, Rocha.John Rocha Ponti Roma dress, £70 at Debenhams, and Matalan's jersey drape dress, £14, will be perennial favourites.

Topshop's pale grey cotton voile ruffle top, £35, and Miss Selfridge's grey and white striped shirt, £25, will instantly update your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Little grey things

Introduce a flash of grey to your outfit with these simple touches. Best of all, you don't have to worry about a shade being right or wrong.

A pair of grey shoes simply looks chic. The high street stores are awash with different styles, from high heels to ankle boots.

The most eye-catching ones include Principles' Selma ankle boots, £75, Gap's grey patent-leather pumps, £29.50, Marks & Spencer's grey court shoes, £39.50, and Next's grey T-bar round-toe court shoes, £39.99.

The Chloe Paddington bag in dove grey is at the top of many fashionistas' wish lists. But if the £795 price tag is out of your budget, try Warehouse's dark grey washed buckle bowling bag, £24, or ASOS's Lindsey studded bag, £22.

If grey really isn't your colour, there are small hints you can drop. Take a look at Monsoon's suede belt, £25, John Lewis' angora trilby hat, £15, or get the Victoria Beckham vibe with Topshop's Bow wool bakerboy cap, £15 (pictured).