Items to own from the Milan fall/winter shows:

• For women with deep, deep pockets, something in crocodile is the sexiest of skins, followed by snake, sleek leathers and butter-soft suedes.

Other timely investments might be:

• Any of Missoni's magnificant knitwear, such as a tweed suit with fitted jacket and skirt skimming the knees. Piped in leather or belted are options.

• A Pucci-inspired, swirling-stripe print or graphic cube pattern. An authentic Pucci print. A 1940s-styled tea dress, shirt-dress or wrap-dress. A basic cashmere turtleneck in the flimsiest, translucent weight.

• Any garment combining intricate inlays of fabric (intarsia) that boasts richness in texture. An accordian-pleated dress, skirt or, in the case of Dolce & Gabbana, shirt and pants with pleated silk chiffon palazzo-like legs that flow from shorts.

• Walking shorts in a knit or a menswear fabric, which are fashion's newest pants. A soft, bow-tied blouse. A blouson jacket. A full or flaring skirt.

• And for evening, designers are having love affairs with Lurex at Gucci, lace with python inlays at Versace, sequins at Prada and Swarovski crystal at Dolce & Gabbana.