Military mania (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Military mania

7:00am Saturday 14th November 2009

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Stand to attention with this season's soldier chic trend.

Cheryl Cole may be creating headlines with her outrageous dresses as judge on the X Factor but she's adopted a different look for her music career.

The pop princess has aptly turned to military styling to launch her attack on the charts with No. 1 solo single Fight For This Love.

In both her music video and much-talked-about X Factor performance, she stood to stylish attention in statement peak cap, bright red military jacket and tough black boots.

Cheryl's military fashion moment has made soldier-inspired styling this season's surprise hit.

Luella, Paul Smith and Dries Van Noten put military on the style map this season marching models down the catwalk in utilitarian khakis, sturdy military jackets and bold as brass detailing.

Tapping into soldier chic doesn't have to be a military operation. Stand guard for some styling tricks that will have all your fashion peers saluting you.

:: Coat of arms This season's winter coats and jackets have had a military makeover with brass buttons, frogging (braid fastenings) and belted styles. Think pared-down Sergeant Pepper and you're on the right track.

You'll find military styles in long tailored tail coat versions or cute cropped jackets a la Ms Cole that will work for both smart and casual ensembles.

Opt for traditional black, navy or grey for versatility or stand out from the style army with grenadier guard-inspired vivid red.

Try: Primark sequin military jacket, £21; Yasmin Le Bon for Wallis Ink embroidered military coat, £150; New Look red military coat, £45; Monsoon Fusion grey military Michelangelo coat, £100.

:: Soldier-style staples Military styling doesn't have to be obvious. Much of the military on the autumn/winter catwalks showcased practical staples like pocket shirts, high-waisted belted trousers and khaki dresses you could adopt into your everyday wardrobe.

Sienna Miller ditched the dresses during her promotional tour for film G.I Joe for daytime soldier chic, posing in military-inspired Loewe canvas trousers and white blouse with piping and gold buttons.

Work two trends in one by seeking out tops and cardigans with statement shoulders featuring gold embellishment or buttons.

Try: Rare at Oli military cardigan, £45; Joules red military waistcoat, £89; Dorothy Perkins black embellished shoulder top, £30; Paul Smith khaki military jumper dress, £199.

:: Military styling tricks The direction you take your military style strike is all in the accessories.

Cheryl Cole bagged designer Alexander Wang's fierce strappy heeled boots to stomp through her X Factor dance routine.

March down a tough biker style road with strappy lace-up and buckle boots or take on a more refined equestrian look with long riding boots.

Have fun with dressing-up box extras like statement brooches, peak hats and medal-inspired embellishments to give a not-so-subtle salute to the military trend.

Try: River Island military hat, £24.99; Butler & Wilson at QVC crystal military brooch, £47.25; Evans chunky khaki snood, £15; Moda in Pelle Loz black lace-up military boots, £150.

:: Stockists: Dorothy Perkins: 0870 122 8801/www.dorothyperkins.co.uk Evans: 0845 121 4516/www.evans.co.uk Joules: www.joulesclothing.com Moda in Pelle: 0870 4101001/www.modainpelle.com Monsoon: 0844 811 0068/www.monsoon.co.uk New Look: 0500 454 094/www.newlook.co.uk Oli: www.oli.co.uk Paul Smith: www.paulsmith.co.uk Primark: www.primark.co.uk QVC: 0800 50 40 30/www.qvcuk.com River Island: www.riverisland.com Wallis: 0845 121 4520/www.wallis.co.uk :: Get the look Emerald green sequin dresses, as sported by Jennifer Connelly in Balmain, are this season's must-have party trick. Shimmer in French Connection's Spirit dress in Gracie Green, £260 (www.frenchconnection.com).

:: Buy it now PPQ have launched their fifth and final collection for Oli Fusion, modelled by co-designer Amy Molyneaux. Check out the new Fifties inspired range now, from £60, available exclusively at www.oli.co.uk.

:: Recessionista alert Got your eye on a party dress from Reiss? Buy the December issue of Elle magazine and you'll be blessed with a £20 gift card to spend on women's dresses and shoes (www.reiss.co.uk).

Fashion flash :: T for trust Pop divas Alesha Dixon, Pixie Lott and Kelly Rowland have teamed up with River Island for an exclusive range of charity T-dresses. The T's for The Trust collection has been designed by River Island's top young designers especially for each star. Get your hands on Alesha's sequin number, £59.99, Pixie's zebra print, £34.99, or Kelly's one-shoulder metallic dress, £99.99, available at River Island stores and online at www.riverisland.com, with all profits going to The Prince's Trust.

:: Pair of specs Comedian Vic Reeves and his glam wife Nancy Sorrell have obviously been making a spectacle of themselves... the couple have been crowned Specsavers Celebrity Spectacle Wearers of the Year. Nancy said: "There is so much choice available now, so you can really stamp your individuality and style with different glasses. I even have a mini pair to match Vic's now, so we are well and truly Mr and Mrs Specs!"

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