continued From top, left to right Covering heads and keeping warm in polar jackets in Piccadilly; and in Leicester Square; dark grey coats in Piccadilly; dark shades continue in Broadwick Street, Soho; not afraid of the cold in a blue shirt and jeans, also on Broadwick Street; outside the Warner cinema in Soho in yellow and brown for everyday wear	Sports gear takes an upbeat urban twist and it suddenly comes out of the gym lockers and onto the backs and soles of London's finest faces. Polar fleeces cut into zip jackets with hoods (Rocky style) are on the street, although perhaps not in Kathmandu. Bootleg trousers are here to stay for a little longer and everything is cut in this stylejeans, lyrca, and even wet-weather trousers.    But what about a little bit of glam and less of the grunge I hear you cry! Evening tops take a cashmere and sparkle combination. Beading adorns the most beautiful of skirts at knee length and often in layers of georgette fabric. Shirtsleeves finish at the three-quarter length. Evening dresses still have shoestring straps and come in gorgeous fabrics from soft and floaty to sandwashed silk and beautiful lace creations (not in the bridesmaid style of the '80s, mind). Shoes retain their Mary-Jane buckle status, but for something special the kitten heels and straps are a definite must.    Hair is not exempt from a little sparkle treatment, and glitter adorns all. Clips and hair slides are most definitely hot; hair scrunchies are most definitely not. Hair is worn cropped short, parted, and affixed with two glitter clips for street style, or for a more glamorous look, slick it back with textured wax and use a diamante hair slide. Matching "Hard Candy" nail polish naturally.    And so that leads us onto everyday work wear for the business environment. Staunchly walk down Fleet Street (missing the lawyers, journos and bankers from the City) and you'll notice grey is this season's black. All suits are grey whether flannel, pin stripe, or wool crepe. All shades of grey make an appearance from the darkest charcoal to the lightest of shades (oh no, reminiscent of the '80s days, you cry!). Work shirts (including men's) have a splash of colour from passion-filled pink, loud purples, zany oranges, to outlandish lime greens. Wide legged trousers are making a debut and are just hitting the racks. Suit jackets are taking a longer look and the length is hitting mid-thigh. Salvation is still there those of us less able to claim ourselves tall, so fitted and tailored trousers matched with shorter jackets are still hot.
Shopping style London boasts some of the best shops in EuropeOxford and Regent Streets are your first stop, followed by Kensington High Street (Diana's favourite). Everyone's tastes and budgets are catered for here. From boutiques, chain stores, department stores (including the world famous Selfridges) to exclusive designer stores of well-known designers. Prices vary, but absolute bargains are to be had in the January sales.    Zara on Regent Street, needs no introduction for those well-heeled travellers who already know it's quality, style, and reasonable prices in clothing. Zara recently opened its first UK store, to a mad Christmas rush. The clothing and design hails from Spain and can be bought all over Europe. Worth a long visit!	Café guide After all this rushing around and carrying endless bags, one must stop and have a coffee; after all you don't want to exhaust yourself. Sadly time does not allow a flight to Vienna to sample the fabulous Viennese café culture, but London is starting to boast some fine cafés in true European style. Try Bar Italia, 22 Firth Street, Soho, London W1 (tube Leicester Square) and check out the '50s décor. Bon appetit! Fiona Scott
Fiona Scott is Lucire's London correspondent and sub-editor. Home | Contents | Lucire fashion features