Panting for it

In a season which, for workwear, is a lot about a certain womanly shapeliness (thank you, Madonna for D&G, thank you Joan from Mad Men), there is also a whole new side route going on. Sexily wearable and Katharine Hepburn-cool, a good pair of well-cut trousers was championed on the catwalks by everyone from Chloe to Balmain and we say bring it on.

The boy-meets-girl thing started with the rise of trousers of all shapes and continued with the introduction of satchel bags, blazers and loafers. Add acetate secretary specs and a stiff white shirt and you had '90s' minimalism all over again. Suddenly that one-piece wonder – the dress – was being relegated to the back of the wardrobe and we were all out strutting our stuff in various trouser shapes again.

For autumn, the love-in with trousers continues and, it being back-at-the-desk time for most people, it's particularly all about the tailored work trouser now (although, believe me, you do not need an office job to wear these babies). If you haven't already bought into the look, I suggest you try some shapes as you might just astound yourself with how great you can look with this one.

Whether straight legged and worn as a suit – à la Balmain as pictured – high-waisted, like these Tommy Hilfigers (right) or harem style (we like what French Connection has in store), the tailored work pant, when worn with heels and good basics such as a silk blouse or a V-neck knit, is designed to give you a certain swagger which says "meet me in the boardroom". This look is for grown-ups and will look as good on a 19-year-old as it will on her 60-year-old grandmother.

And just as men wear their suits with very little accessorising besides good shoes and cufflinks, women can keep it to the minimum here too. A good watch or cashmere coat says so much more than OTT jewellery or anything overtly labelled.

Women who will never 'get' this look and we'd hate it if they tried: Cheryl Cole, Danni Minogue or Victoria Beckham. Women who get it instinctively: Gwen Stefani, Drew Barrymore and French actresses Chloe Poesy and Vanessa Paradis. Or anyone French basically. I know which camp I'd rather be in.

Shopping Audit

* We're lusting after... buttons

Say goodbye to the ubiquitous zips. The classic button is making its return, as seen at Burberry, Balmain and Louis Vuitton

* We're loving... feathers

Go all out and wear this on the supermarket run, not just for nights' out – whoop whoop! Cape, €68, Accessorize

* We're not sure about... fergie's perfume

Appalling. But not so upsetting as the news that Christina Aguilera is releasing her fifth fragrance