Clotheslines

Weather vane:According to the New York Times, big fashion companies in the US are now employing weather forecasters and climatologists to predict seasonal changes so that they can time their shipments appropriately.

As the changing of the seasons is proving as fickle as fashion, these climate teams are advising companies to provide lighter weight, seasonless fabrics to cope with the new realities. Average temperatures in the northern hemisphere have not entirely done away with the need for heavy coats, but it is the length of seasons that is changing with the earlier onset of spring and later arrival of autumn reducing the coldest period of the year by two weeks. For a big company such as Target and other US retailers, September used to be considered the start of autumn; now it is November. Our unusually warm and sunny November certainly didn't send everyone scurrying for coats nor Irish retailers to the Met Office. Yet.

Fashionable read

Fashion and jewellery books may make great gifts, but you'd need to do a weightlifting course before attempting some of the best new titles. Lavish doesn't even go near to describe Dior: 60 Years of Style from Christian Dior to John Galliano (Thames & Hudson), weighing in at 6kg on my scales. The monumental volume, published to mark the 60th anniversary of the New Look, charts the house's history with original photography and perceptive texts along with pictures of celebrity models from Bettina to Kate Moss by photographers from Richard Avedon to Nick Knight. It costs £90 (sterling) - a rather dear Dior.

Animal magic

When it comes to handbags, the clutch is currently fastening its grip on fashion fiends and we like this leopard-print number (€60) from Mikey's new handbag range in Clerys, Dublin. A British company better known for its jewellery and hair accessories, this is Mikey's first bag collection. Other offerings in the same spirit include a black satin clutch with an Art Deco clasp currently reduced by 50 per cent to €74.50. A tempting selection of luxurious clutches lavishly decorated with Swarovski crystal at €145 each can also be found in Costelloe & Costelloe's Dublin shops in Chatham Street, and Dundrum.

Get ahead, make a hat

Philip Treacy's crowning success has put creative millinery in fashion's front line. For those interested in learning the secrets of hatmaking, Linda McKay holds residential workshops at her home in Co Kilkenny, open to anyone regardless of sewing skills. A psychiatric nurse (and a skilled cook) who trained as a milliner in Australia, McKay abandoned nursing to start a career making couture headwear for special occasions. Now her courses are proving popular weekend destinations, given their scenic location in Inistioge. The two-day courses costs €575 (10am-6pm each day) includes all materials, one night's accommodation and breakfast in Ballyduff House on the River Nore in Inistioge as well as two lunches. With Mount Juliet 12 kilometres away, it's ideal for couples who'd like a weekend away doing their own thing during the day and meeting in the evening for dinner with a wide choice of local restaurants. Christmas gift vouchers can be bought from her website at www.lindamckay.ie or telephone 051-427991.