The idea that the majority of people should change their style and wardobe with every fashion 'season' still astounds me and as we approach my favourite time of the year, weather wise and fashion wise, Autumn collections become influenced by darker things and Summers' printed flowing dresses pale in comparison. Yes, this is more a column for the girls but it also raises the issue of the gothic style becoming popular as a 'look' alone.

Apparently A/W 2010 (Autumn/Winter for those who don't read Vogue) is focussing on military designs and 'glam goth'. Yes, I am a follower of fashion, well style and design really, and regularly pore over glossy mags dreaming of the day when I too might sell my soul and purchase an eye-wateringly expensive Dior gown (in black obviously). So when the September issues hit the shops I know the time has come for all the pastels and floral frocks to disappear and the more sombre, darker side of fashion emerges. I was not prepared for such a serious focus on goth though.

In Style magazine is giving tips on how to 'do goth eye make-up without overdoing it' and Marie Claire says of the new catwalk shows  'Say hello to goth's sexy older sister - dark, dramatic, and with a hint of the Edwardian heroine, she played muse to a coven of designers.' Cue lots of emaciated models in black lace and latex leggings with cheekbones that could cut glass. Yawn. Apparently the popularity of things like Twilight and other glamourous  vampire films/books/media is to blame. Sorry, is the 'influence'.

This does mean that the highstreet shops will be filled with rip-offs and 'gothic' jewelry though (think crucifixes, fake jet and things with skulls on dahling) and this is where the debate begins. I, for one, don't mind trendy people taking influence from my style, it's not my fault they don't have one of their own and need to change it every two months. Yes it's irritating to see vampires becoming trend setters and people trying to do the 'gothic look' because Vogue tells them to, but it does mean I can get a few pieces of clothing in TopShop that I actually might like and can afford without having to go on the internet to specialist shops etc. I know I will keep them and wear them for years, whereas come S/S 2011 (Spring/Summer range sweetie) the trendy kids will all be back in florals and I will, once again, be comfortably unfashionable.