Cruise collections

Spring and autumn used to be the header and footer to our fashion lives, giving the only looks that mattered for the coming year. But these days, mid-season shows are injecting some freshness into the stores and our wardrobes.

Hitting the shops now are scaled-down offerings known as cruise collections. Once known as resort collections, and conceived for the glam set heading for their winter holidays in the sunshine, they are now major fixtures in the fashion calendar.

Cruise has always been about summery pieces, plenty of print and colour, and the odd dose of beach fashion. Should you be after some bright sunshine for your winter wardrobe, this is the place to look. Showing print, pastels and more than a bit of romance this season, the collections are full of femininity and spice. Smart girls love cruise for its focus on colour, and because it's a chance to get in on next season's trends early. Transparency, trouser suits and ruffles all make an appearance now, and will be hitting the shelves come spring. Here is a round-up of the key trends to look out for.

Should you be looking for a breath of fresh air to sweep through your winter wardrobe, one of the standout trends from this year's cruise collections is white. The girlier end of the spectrum was catered to by Chanel, which showed a series of knee-length, full-skirted dresses that had a fresh, milkmaid-type appeal to them and some signature intricate embroidery.

Demonstrating a more minimal way with white was 3.1 Phillip Lim, with a simple minidress that came in floatier and more structured styles, and a sporty take on a white biker jacket that would look great over almost any outfit.