Camel is officially the shade to covet this season.

Lisa Haynes reveals the styling tricks to make the neutral hue work for you.

IF you make only one investment this season, pour all your pennies into a camel coat you’ll wear over and over again.

From belted Crombies to shearling Seventies jackets and even faux furs, camel is dominating the colour palette of this winter’s outerwear.

“Camel says quality, and it says classic. It certainly doesn’t say funky or fun,” says Veronique Henderson, creator of Colour Me Beautiful. “Think Grace Kelly for the ultimate look in camel.”

But if you prefer to keep your outerwear dark and moody, even wardrobe staples have had the camel colour treatment.

With dresses, shirts, trousers, hats, boots and bags in the neutral tone, there’s something to suit all fashion tastes from head to toe.

Think clean lines and unfussy silhouettes.

It’s all about creating a 2010 twist with this uber-classic shade and avoiding fuddy duddy territory.

“Keep your camel modern and sassy,” Henderson advises. “Think of a snazzy little cape, worn with chunky tights or camel trousers, teamed with a crisp white shirt and platform heels.”

CAMEL PRECAUTIONS THE biscuit tone may be the shade of the season, but camel has to be worn with care and attention, says Henderson.

With shades ranging from oatmeal to tobacco, make sure you’re flaunting the hue that turns everyone else green with fashion envy.

Henderson offers her top tips on pulling off camel according to your colouring. In some cases, the right lippy is all you need to give the look a lift: ● “For honey blondes and redheads, camel will look stunning with little effort,” she says.

“Wear it head to toe, or mix it with olives, rusts and golden browns for best effect. Keep your lipstick shades natural for an elegant look.”

● “If you’re pale and Scandinavian looking, you’re born to wear camel – it will even blend with your freckles if you have them,” suggests Henderson. “Wear it with a dash of aqua to give it some life and keep your lips radiant and sunny with shades of light corals and peaches.”

● “If you have a head of golden highlights along with soft hazel or green eyes, you will wear camel with ease. Mix it with tone-on-tone oatmeals, pewters, taupes and bronzes for a very chic and Parisian look,” she advises.

● “Catherine Zeta Jones colouring? If you’re brunette with dark eyes and olive skin you can pull off the camel look, but make sure you balance it with strong colours like chocolate, pine and again, ensure your lipstick stays within the yellow-based reds and pinks.”

● “If you have dark hair with bright blue or green eyes, beware. The best way for you to wear camel is as a contrast with black, navy, charcoal and even purples and reds,” says Henderson.

“You’ll still be on-trend, but head-to-toe camel will wash you out completely.”

In great post-op shape

IF you thought that lingerie for women who have had mastectomies couldn’t look sexy, then think again. Di Murini, a British-based luxury brand, has been listening to requests from women who still want the feminine lingerie that they had worn previously.

After working with more 100 women who have had mastectomies, plus health professionals and academics, the company has come up with a range of stylish post-surgery bras and nightwear. Bras have a “pocket release system” to restrict movement of the prosthesis,and are lined with aloe vera-infused material to soothe potentially irritable and sensitive skin.