Plait on the back

SMALL PRINT:The past few seasons in hair fashions have seen a revival of the plait, a feature last sported, most likely, when we were six but now back with a vengeance. (Check out thebeautydepartment.com for easy-to-follow tutorials, starting with the French braid, right). But what are the potential plait pitfalls?

Any trend that channels childhood should be treated as whimsical, so don’t take your plait too seriously. Flyaways and stray hairs are to be welcomed – good news, as getting your plait perfect can take hours.

Wear yours with a devil-may-care attitude – although, unless you actually are four (in which case, your reading is excellent), don’t team yours with hair accessories of any kind.

And steer clear of clothes that could be seen as childish – no dresses, and never dungarees.

The plait will work very well with a buttoned-up shirt and even better with a blazer or a wool jumper (with trousers and heels, of course).

Keep make-up polished and understated, and don’t for a second consider pairing your plait with nerd glasses; there’s geek chic and then there’s just plain old geek, and no one is going to be taking the latter seriously, buttoned-up shirt or no.

 A reader writes . . .

It’s nearly Christmas, so the annual I-need-new-boots-or-I’ll-die hunt begins. This year I’m looking for knee-high brown ones. Not suede, not riding style with the black bit at the top, and fairly flat. Oh, and €150 maximum. What do you think?

Aoife, by e-mail

Topshop’s flat buckled boot (€137) is a good bet. The tan colour will wear well, the buckle adds oomph and they’ll go with everything, including black tights.

River Island’s tan leather boot (€127.50) has just enough of a heel for a cowboy feel without reaching pantomime territory. The toffee colour won’t be for everyone, but they are a gorgeous shape.

Barratts isn’t usually high on my to-visit list, but their brown boots (€62) are a winner. They have a slight heel – unless you’re 5ft 11in I recommend a slight heel on a knee boot – and a buckle detail. The fold is a slimming contrast.

Office has a great dark-brown knee-high boot with a mid heel (€175). The buckle detail adds a slightly 1990s twist, but that’s very now, and there’s not a riding spur in sight.

Rain on: what to wear in the wet

A good umbrella is a must, and this jaunty number from Radley will keep spirits up in damp weather; €31 at Debenhams and debenhams.ie

The black peep-toe pump from Melissa is made of the softest, comfiest plastic (believe it!) and won’t get soaked or damaged by water; €135 at BT2

Zara’s treated yellow jeans have a slightly plasticky edge that will stop them getting soaked through – and the zip detail is so cool; €49.99.

Korky’s black faux-fur wedge ankle boots will keep you cosy – and off the ground when it’s pouring; €54.99.

Star buy

The alpine-knit cardigan by Joe Browns from Littlewoods Ireland puts the cool in the geansaí Nollaig. Pair yours with skinny jeans and a bright lip; €79