The summer sales are in full swing and it’s time for some strategic shopping. Anna Clarke has scoured the online boutiques to bring you a selection of pieces that reflect the key trends for Autumn/Winter 2011/12. Happy shopping …

Philip Lim, leather with silk-chiffon dress, £695 at net-a-porter.com
Leather was worked into virtually every collection for Autumn/Winter 2011/12. Like this Philip Lim leather dress with silk-chiffon (£694, net-a-porter.com), designers are using leather with other fabrics, in this case luxurious silk-chiffon, a stunning combination.

Whistles waffle studded jacket £136.50 at asos.com
A cropped jacket lends a 60s tone to a variety of looks. This jacket is a neat little purchase that will help you to look polished and tidy whenever you seek a quick 60s style fix. A real workhorse in your wardrobe, it will look equally well with trousers, a high waisted skirt or a dress. Buy now for next season

Mustard 70s calf skirt £30 at topshop.com
The 70s vibe is set to continue and this skirt embodies that mood in a manner that’s perfect for day time. It’s a fantastic knee length, a shade that will set off the new season’s colours perfectly and it’s going to update all the geek-chic pieces in your wardrobe too!

Vince leather jacket £557.50 at net-a-porter.com
The summer sales are a great time to buy leather because you can pick up a really high quality piece at a fraction of its full price. We love this Vince jacket for two reasons, firstly the draped style will work well with the new season’s soft and loose silhouette; and secondly, muddy colours are big news for Autumn/Winter 2011/12 and this grey-green hue seems to fit the bill quite perfectly.

Sequined dress €183.40 (£163.65) at patriziapepe.com
Can’t afford Balmain but want to sparkle and shine the whole night long? This sequined, backless mini-dress is sure to turn heads in all its 70s disco glamour. Wear it with big hair and high heels on a night of dancing and debauchery, or style it with a simple clutch, booties and paired down hair and make up for a luxe-cool take on cocktail dressing.

Goat orange sweater £80 at matchesfashion.com
Keeping it bright, this orange sweater would look great with jeans or with a denim skirt, on a summer evening or as autumn creeps in. And look at those buttons – we have a real thing for cute fastenings this season (probably because Prada showed coats and jackets with oversized buttons)!

Preen black dress £100 at brownsfashion.com
There’s something bondage-esque about this dress and that’s precisely why we have it earmarked as a great buy for next season. At the Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 2011/12 show, Sarah Burton sent the models down the runway in all sorts of straps and harnesses and, let’s face it, fashion is having a McQueen moment right now. Buy now and still look stylish later.

Carven asymmetric dress £135 at net-a-porter.com
Ok, we’ll admit it – we’re crazy for Carven. But, quite aside from our label-loving ways, this dress makes a great buy for the new season because it’s a wonderful woody olive colour and will fit right in with the muddy hues set to take over the streets come autumn. Until the temperatures drop, wear it with bare legs and coloured heels and when the season changes, style it with dark tights and ankle boots.

Suede and cotton jacket €198.10 (£176.75) at valentinegauthier.com
French designer, Valentine Gauthier, mixes suede and cotton in a cropped jacket that will work with so many looks, whether you’re playing 60s kid or laid back Parisienne. The shoulder is getting a lot of attention this season and a suede shoulder is a subtle nod to this sometimes uber-embellished trend.

Rag & Bone Green jeans £105.72 at shopbob.com

Colour feels fantastically fresh and fun right now and, although there are plenty of subdued hues in the autumn/winter palette, those rainbow brights are not going away just yet. Coloured jeans are a great way to bring your taste for brights into the cooler season. Green is a particularly versatile shade for autumn/winter as it looks wonderful with black and fresh with mossier tones. Buy coloured jeans now and you won’t regret it!