High fashion is the watchword for women's footwear this autumn and winter. Literally. The heels of boots, half boots, ankle boots, and pumps are generally a few centimetres higher than in previous seasons.

But apart from higher heels, personal style rules supreme. The models on shoe shop shelves fit every occasion and taste, from overknees to ballerinas, from clean looks to folklore style, and from felt to patent leather.

"A one-and-only fashion trend hasn't existed for a long time now," noted Helga Cevey, who works for the Offenbach-based German Shoe Institute. You can forget terms like "in" or "out" because mixing various styles is now in vogue, Cevey said. "So everyone can create a personal outfit."

Autumn and winter is when boots grab the limelight, of course. They are simply indispensable, especially overknees, and in combination with ultra-tight drainpipe trousers or under skirts for a casual, bohemian look.

"Rustic, hiking-inspired details such as buckles, eyelets, and lacing, as well as removable cuffs and pelt or fur trim, play a complementary role" in the new boot collection, said Andreas Rose, who works as a personal shopper in Frankfurt.

Jelena Juric, with the Frankfurt-based rag trade magazine TextilWirtschaft, noted that half boots and ankle boots were stealing the show from classic boots this season. As Rose sees it, pumps with plateau heels and half boots with wedge soles also go extremely well with wide-cut, high-waist "Marlene-style" trousers, which are making a comeback.

Heels are a must in any case, even under ballerinas; no shoe should be too flat. There is a wide variety of heel shapes, remarked Cevey: "blocky, straight, curved 'banana' heels - the main thing is that it matches the shape of the last" (the form used in shoemaking).

Looks like small isn’t always beautiful. At least not when it comes to fashion accessories.

Fashion in present times is a lot about display, and hence, even rings need to be big, chunky and high on bling! “The one piece of focus jewellery that is in vogue today is the huge ring,” says designer Alpana Gujral.

Well, in B’wood, the ladies sure are the ‘Lordess of Rings,’ be it Ash, Sush, Shilpa or Tabu, with each of them flaunting big dazzlers on their fingers. Besides, there are celebs, who sport gems for astrological reasons, but of course they do so with a lot of flamboyance. “For a woman, it’s the visibility of the jewellery that matters, be it in a ring or a neckpiece,” says designer Rajiv Arora, who’s recently designed rings for Hollywood star, Halle Berry.

And, the ‘ring bearers’ don’t mind experimenting with bold designs, that range from floral chunks and animal replicas to geometric shapes and ethnic rings. As for the colour spectrum, it’s wide. “Blue topaz and different shades of tourmaline are in vogue. Coral carved stone rings and the ones carrying miniature paintings as designs are also in demand,” says Rajiv and Alpana adds, “Emerald and ruby rings make a cool style statement.” As for metals, white gold and silver rule.

Sneakers were once only for the gym, basketball players and anyone under the age of 12 — but not anymore.

The sneaker has taken on a new avatar and is a great way to make a fashion statement. Look how fashion designer Sidney has taken on life outside the gym in the right pair of sneaker.

Go classic
Classic sneakers are the kind of shoes that can be worn with anything. And by classic, we are talking about the basic, low-cut lace-up without any glitz. One simple colour goes with everything from jeans to a tailored trouser. You can dress it up with a blazer or keep it totally easy with a pair of shorts to beat the summer heat.

Skip the socks
Socks and sneakers seem like a match made in heaven. Shoving your foot into a sneaker without socks can turn things into a sweaty mess. However, visible ankle socks, or even worse, a tube sock, can turn a mature, cohesive look into a kindergarten style. Low-cut socks that are not seen is the way out.

Roll it up
Once you have mastered the art of wearing unnoticeable socks, feel free to go for a pair of cropped trousers or roll up your denim jeans. Create a hem that ends slightly above the edge of the shoe to reveal a tiny bit of ankle. It creates a tailored silhouette that focuses attention on your shoes.

All that glitters isn’t gold
Perhaps the worst culprit of all is the over-designed sneaker. Avoid sneakers with colour combinations bright and awkward enough to compete with the deadliest of poison dart frogs.

A sexy set of lingerie might appear to be the most intimate gift for your girl, but buying it or rather buying the right kind of lingerie can be quite a daunting task.

Particularly, if you wish to increase your intimacy with her, a wrong choice can do more harm than good. After all, nothing can be as embarrassing for a girl than getting a sexy corset in a size that’s way too small, or big, for her.

So, if you want to avoid the untimely death of your relationship, better brush up your style sense before going lingerie shopping for your girl. We bring you a few quick tips:

Size and style rule the roost: The first step to avoid making a blooper is to know her actual size and her taste. While buying a smaller size may cause her embarrassment, buying a larger size can give her an indication that you think she is bigger than what she actually is. So, it is always better to do a little homework beforehand. Check out her lingerie drawers and examine the labels where her size too will be mentioned.

Similarly, having an idea about her style sense will be a big help. Buying a bold black corset may be a wrong choice for a girl who loves flowery lacey stuff. A bad choice can only make her cringe, so observe what she loves to flaunt when you get into some steamy action. If you manage to get even a little close to what she loves, know that you have hit the jackpot. After all, finding her something she loves to flaunt is the greatest achievement for a man. So, let the time be your guide!

Shop for her body type

If she is tall and slim: Garter belts cut the body horizontally and make your leggy lass appear all the more sexy. These belts accentuate the legs and highlight the curves in her body. These belts form the basics of sexy lingerie and stand a rare chance of going wrong. Just make sure you buy complementing stockings, underwear and a bra to complete the set.

If she is voluptuous and well-endowed: Nothing works better to turn a big bust line into a sexy cleavage than a corset. Not just that, it also takes attention away from her fuller tummy by giving it a flattening effect together with highlighting the waistline.

If she is bigger and fulsome: If you think a tight fitting corset or bra will squeeze your fulsome babe into a lesser size, you are heading into trouble. Rather than making her realise she is big, give her something that not only makes her feel comfy, but covers her rounds in the best possible way. A sexy negligee will do the best to hide all the sins. Something like a baby doll that‘s fitted at the bust and flairs down, her bum will not only accentuate her cleavage but will also camouflage her big bottom. Go for dark colours as they have a slimming effect; nets and see-through fabrics are absolute no-no’s.

If she is fit and athletic: Wanna make your tomboyish girl look sexy for a change? Boy shorts in a sexier style are what you must buy. Not only will they make her athel etic bod look curvier, they will also accentuate her well toned butt. Anything from a bra to a corset complements a boy short well. So go ahead and let your sporty babe pose sexy tonight.

If she is shy: Not everyone is blessed with a girl who is confident enough of her body and doesn’t mind sporting even the most daring of lingerie styles. If your girl is not very comfortable flaunting that tiny-miny underwear that you bought for her, just ease her by adding a satin robe. The robe will take away her hesitation and the satiny effect against her body will make her feel sexy and sensual. And you never know what else it does to her mind and you might just get lucky!

Points to ponder

- Make sure what you buy doesn’t accentuate or clings to a body part that she prefers to hide. For example a big tummy or thighs...you know your girl so better pick up something that flows down those areas making her look curvy.

- Your aim should be to gift something that enhances her best assets.

- Darker colours have a slimming look.

- When it comes to fabric, cotton is a big no, as women prefer it for everyday use and as a gift option, looks boring.

- Lace, silk and satin are the safest bets. They look sensuous and feel beautiful on the skin too.

- Go for lycra only if either your girl has a ten-on-ten figure or doesn’t mind showing off those buldges. The fabric has a tendency to cling to the body.

- Same goes for nets and see-through fabrics. Buy only if she is comfy carrying them.

Make the sales woman your friend for a day, tell her your choice and let her help you find the best piece for your princess.