Forget a plastic witches hat this Halloween is all about being super stylish in fashion that is ahead of its time, says Emma Harrowing.

Halloween is just around the corner, but why play dress up when this season's fashion is so ghoulishly good.

Head to toe black, one of this autumn and winter trends was met with much merriment among those who love wearing black. This new Goth style is back on the fashion radar and this time round black is back with a big time bang.

Of course to make black look stylish you cannot just disguise yourself in a cloak of baggy clothes. Instead look for tailored pieces that nip you in at all the right places, choose opulent fabrics such as black leather, lace, silk and velvet, and layer black with metallics or bright colours such as this season's orange to break up the black for a new dawn.

Get the look with a leather pencil skirt worn with black tights, a polo neck jumper and a slither of a gold or silver statement necklace; a silver or black prom dress worn with a leather biker jacket, or metallic trouser or jeggings teamed with a black mohair jumper dress and lots of silver jewellery.

A simple way to update a black outfit in your wardrobe is to accessorise it with metallic or brightly coloured accessories.

Headwear is an easy way to bring some colour into your look and the new hat collection from Norwich based designer Betsy Hatter includes the sequined cat fascinator, the Day of the Dead skull cocktail hat and, my favourite, the Pumpkin cocktail hat.

Headwear is a big trend this season and the hat is expected to be hugely fashionable next year. British hat designer Philip Treacy showcased his hat designs for the very first time on a UK stage at London Fashion Week in September and with celebrities donning hats it is inevitable that this choice of headwear will be the talk of the town by 2013.

But why wait? Hats are perfect for Halloween but why wear a plastic witches hat when you can look elegantly stylish in one of Betsy Hatter's creations.

They are the perfect look for this month's spooky celebrations. After all when you het to a certain age dressing up in a tight black catsuit or putting on a scary mask can be a little passe.

CREDITS

Photographer: Steve Adams.

Model: Ruby Ware.

Hair and makeup: Kerry Clark from The Historical Sauces historicalsauces.com

Styling: Emma Harrowing