The all-rounder

THE leather jacket is now a wardrobe essential, one of those all-rounder items of clothing that you can wear to add a touch of casual to almost any outfit.

"It has the power to lift whatever you're wearing and make it seem more studied," explains style consultant Inka MuellerWinkelmann.

Putting on a leather jacket makes a woman look instantly cooler, whether it is worn over an airy dress or worn in combination with a pair of fashionable slacks. "A leather jacket also looks good when combined with a scarf."

For a punk-rock look that will turn heads wherever you go, try a jacket with black studs, which should be worn with leather boots. – dpa