The end of summer is nigh, but don't be too sad about saying goodbye to bikinis and sandals, check out the new fads taking over our wardrobes and the high streets this autumn

Autumn is just around the corner and it's time to start clearing out your summer wardrobe so there's space for the exciting new emerging trends.

"You can ditch smock dresses, boho kaftans and palm-tree prints because autumn's about a much more pulled-together look, says Vanessa Barford, fashion editor for www.handbag.com.

Think smart, feminine tailoring with androgynous elements.

The key pieces to take you though to autumn and winter are cropped trousers, military admiral jackets, skinny jeans and round-toe shoes.

METALLIC ACCESSORIES:

According to fashion writer Hero Brown, it's a lasting trend.

Whether you've bought strappy stilettos, court shoes or flat sandals, odds on you'll be able to wear your shoes at least five seasons out of 10, he said.

This metallic bag from Accessorize in Worcester's High Street costs £20.

EMBROIDERY:

Embroidery and embellishment are still going strong next season, because they incorporate two trends - Russian and folklore chic.

Embroidery around the collar is a fashionable look on tops, while skirts will tend to have embroidered hems, says stylist Ceril Campbell.

Get the look from Worcester's Monsoon, with this embroidered skirt, £55 with top, £40 and cardigan, £50.

SKINNY JEANS:

Spotted on supermodel Kate Moss, skinny jeans were worn this season with cowboy boots, biker boots, dresses and waistcoats.

While their shape and style are hard to wear unless you have supermodel proportions, they're not going to go away just yet, so prepare to breathe in-wear with a tuxedo jacket or a 1960s minidress.

FITTED JACKETS:

Jackets with nipped-in waists and narrow sleeves have been popular throughout the summer, and are going to continue through to the winter. "This winter sees a lot of tailoring in a curvy screen siren way, says stylist Ceril Campbell. Military and naval-inspired jackets are also big, so whether you have a cute black blazer that skims your curves or a navy blue number with brass buttons, keep hold of it.

CITY SHORTS:

If you think that shorts are just a summer look, think again. With a little twist, you can transform them into a key winter piece.

Worn with opaque tights and knee-high boots, this will take you through into the winter months, explains Kate Blythe, Elle's fashion features assistant. Get the look with a navy double-breasted short jacket, and cotton striped city shorts.

It's time to learn how to say 'no' sometimes

There is constant pressure on today's 20 and 30-somethings to be living 'the perfect life' portrayed daily in newspapers, magazines and on TV, seemingly every moment of every day.

In fact, we are so desperate in our quest for perfection, many of us are now turning to life coaches - the latest fad of fixers who we hope will be the answer to us attaining our dreams.

Being a 20-something I'm all too familiar with the pressures of aspiring to 'have it all'.

Working in a busy newsroom, the hours can often be unpredictable and long, and when I'm off, I like to party hard and spend my well-earned pay.

But, with an innate inability to say "no" to people, I seem to always agree to attend social occasions that I would, for one reason another, prefer to abstain from.

Instead, I find all my spare time is spent running around like a lunatic with barely enough time to breathe.

Don't get me wrong, having a busy social life is good, but there are times I wish I could be more assertive and plan my time more efficiently.

So, in my search for a work/life balance I headed off to seek out Worcestershire life coach, Jennie Barnes, whom I hoped would be able to help solve my problem.

I must admit I started the session feeling rather sceptical - after all, what can someone say to me that will make me any different? Surely the fact that I can't turn down people's requests for help is a personality trait that's here to stay.

"As babies, we are born only with the fear of loud noises," explains Jennie. "Every other fear is acquired or learnt from our experiences or parents."

She went on to inform me that my reluctance to say "no" is a fear of upsetting people and being disliked, due to a lack of self-confidence. Reluctantly, I had to admit she was on to something.

"The logical thing is that if we can learn we can unlearn too," she told me, reassuringly.

So, taking me through scenarios in which I may be "put on the spot", Jennie suggested possible ways I could give myself more time to think about my answer so that I don't automatically say 'yes' to every request.

She also pointed out reasons why I fear saying "no", and made me realise it was my own sense of guilt that was my downfall.

Now she's set me a challenge to make a note of each time I manage to be more assertive. Read next week's lifestyle to see how I have coped with my challenge.