On the Autumn/Winter runways at Chanel, Galliano, Prada, and Dior, the mood was all about dark, soft goth appeal and gutsy, edgy glamour.

Nails were darkly metallic, in shades of burnished bronze, glossy crimson, steely silver and shimmering black. After summer's love affair with bright lights, bold colour varnishes – such as canary yellow or bright orange – autumn's mood is more grown-up.

Nails should be slightly longer this season, just peeking over the edge of the finger tips. Keep the shape curved and natural, for a polished effect.

If you only buy one polish, make it Chanel's Le Vernis in Kaleidoscope, (£14.50), it's a perfect metallic shade that suits all skin tones.

I also like Revlon Gold Get 'Em, a pale gold that looks more grown-up than last winter's brassy shades. While, Miss Sporty's Zodiac, (£1.99), at Superdrug, is a cool, metallic beige nude, that works well for a subtle nod to the trend.

I'm smitten by Paul & Joe's smoulderingly, dark metallic shade, 20, as well, for Grecian-style nails. Or try their hard-edged, bright silver Paul & Joe in 21, (£9), to wear with Christopher Kane's oversize sequin-encrusted collection, this fall.