Steve McQueen

The King of Cool wore everything with confidence. His casual looks oozed a nonchalant appeal, and smart outfits looked polished but - with the addition of his perennial Persol 714 sunglasses - also carefree. His style favourites included neutral chinos, bomber jackets and desert boots. Everything had a clean-lines feel - pared-back and unfussy. So what can we learn from the man? Invest in great basics. Make sure they fit well, keep colours neutral and mix and match for a wardrobe that always speaks of unassuming sophistication.

Style notes: Three-piece suits in greys and checks, double denim, turtlenecks and blazers and, of course, a killer pair of shades.

James Dean

The legendary Hollywood actor is forever remembered for his effortless cool and the power of a great white t-shirt. Paired with jeans, rugged boots and tortoiseshell shades, it’s a timeless look that’s remained cool ever since. The red Harrington jacket he wore in Rebel Without a Cause has become iconic in itself. To channel a piece of James Dean’s undeniable cool, pair a black roll-neck with dark trousers, or a plain tee with a leather biker jacket.

Style notes: White tee, rugged jacket, biker boots and thick-rimmed shades.

Nick Wooster

On top of a stellar fashion career and too many collaborations to count, Nick Wooster is an undeniable style icon. With his instantly recognisable silver hair and groomed moustache, he’s become an Instagram and street style favourite. His signature style is a tailored, smart top half and casual bottoms. Think a blazer, shirt and tie with colour-popping chinos or relaxed, ankle-grazing trousers. In the same vein, he is known for his blazer and shorts combo. The result is a smart, playful and confident look. He’s not afraid of colour and pattern, and rarely does he step out without some rule-breaking but effective surprise in his looks.

Style notes: Shorts paired with suits, military accents, varsity jackets, pops of colour.

David Beckham

David Beckham has remained a style icon for years. He has universal appeal – women swoon, men respect – and an innate ability to pull together an outfit with ease. For casual, he nails layering – shirts worn open over tees, jumper tied around the waist – and denim. His favourites include leather jackets, simple tees and of course, some kind of hat like a beanie or flat cap. His choices are classic but slightly undone. His shirt will be pulled out from the bottom of a jumper and he chooses distressed jeans and hard-working biker boots, which all give a rugged, masculine look.

For formal situations, he always pulls it out of the bag, sporting a suave, well-fitting suit. In a pioneering moment, his Royal Wedding get-up has got us all reaching for our morning suits and slim-fitting grey waistcoats.

Style notes: Hats, slim fit jeans, denim shirts and boots.

Tinie Tempah

Since he burst onto the music scene, Tinie has carved a reputation as one of the best-dressed men in the country. His great sense of taste means he always look perfect for the situation, pulling it off with effortless flair. He’s inspired us with his mix of Saville Row tailoring and streetwear, his statement patterns that don’t look OTT and his oversized, luxe coats. He doesn’t need to wear glasses but they’ve become his trademark. Ambassador for London Fashion Week Men’s and founder of his own label What We Wear, he’s got a strong fashion repertoire and consistently comes out with looks that stretch the boundaries of menswear. Tinie, great job.

Style notes: Blazers, great watches, eyewear and stellar trainers.

1. HIDDEN GEMS

In their modern iteration, these wonderfully rich, pigmented hues – think forest greens, petrol blues and glamorous clarets and aubergines – stormed straight to the top of every interiors trend round-up around 2016, and never left. Along with the decade-defining velvet sofa, they add a bit of punch and personality whilst still being moody enough to make sense for winter - the perfect alternative to summer’s bold prints.

Going wall-to-wall with one of these jewel tones - and according to one of this year’s biggest trends, across the ceiling while you’re at it – is a shortcut to serious cosiness. The oft-quoted flipside is whether the room feels smaller as a result. And it makes sense. These hues have Victorian heritage - where rooms were often double height with big bay windows - and long pre-date the light and airy Scandi design DNA we’ve all since championed. There’s plenty of ways to tap into the trend, so it’s worth considering what works for your space.

If you’re prepared to add some drama – but not to invest in a new sofa – a statement armchair makes a more portable option, or a scatter of cushions in a variety of hues (pair bold with bold, we say) might be all you need to transform a tired old one. Pair with velvet to let these shades really shine - and tick off two winter trends - or bring to life with warm metallics like gold and bronze. And whilst we don’t believe in design rules, sticking to clean lines (à la all things art deco) is the easiest way to keep it under control.

2. EARTHY DELIGHTS

Encompassing hues of honey, rich clay and olive green, these saturated shades are a little like autumn’s rush of colour with the sound turned down. But make no mistake - this take on terracotta et al is a far cry from your pile of old plant pots lingering in the shed. These are warm, luxurious and ultimately contemporary colours that owe far more to Mediterranean villas and Moroccan riads than any failed gardening attempt.

From clay-roofed cities to hip design hotels, these earthy – yet seriously luxe - tones are as traditional as they are on-trend. They’re at a bit of a colour crossroads, too. Sitting pretty in the sweet spot where vibrant, saturated colour meets pared back, organic hues, they’re the best of both worlds - so it’s no wonder they’ve triumphed both on the catwalk and off. If you’re looking to go au naturel for winter, there’s really no chicer way to do it.

The key to preventing warm, earthy tones from tipping into ‘rustic’ territory is keeping silhouettes contemporary and paying attention to subtle differences in similar shades – think rich and pinky-brown, rather than orange-tinged. Be wary of too much decoration and even the most delicately distressed finish, which will feel instantly retro (and in this case, we’re talking BC). Stick to solid colour, bold and blocky prints or a simple two-tone effect balanced with white or powdery pink.

3. CHALKY PASTELS

Candy hues have had a contemporary update, and it works just as well for winter as it does spring and beyond. Pinks are the star of the show – and the star of many a recent red carpet snap – alongside sage greens and paler, grey-tinged denim blues. An ice cream colour palette this is not – the shade reference is far more stonewashed than sickly, more powdery than Palm Springs. Hailed as the new neutrals, it looks like this newly grown-up group of shades is here to stay. Yes please.

Whilst we’re not quite ready to end our love affair with the fifty shades of grey that have dominated the last decade, these soothing hues make a good argument – they’re just as restful, but far less likely to feel stark or subdued. Yes, this makes the bedroom an obvious decorating destination, but consider pastels to add some calm - and colour - to hectic, high-traffic areas like your kitchen, too.

It’s worth considering contrast, whether that means adding some edge with geometric prints or anchoring powdery shades with a splash of something stronger. A dusky pink – which is a little too feminine for some - is made thoroughly modern with a navy or forest green, while textural details like tassels and fringing make a subtler statement paired with paler shades. Beware layering pastel hue upon pastel hue, however, or you’ll feel like you’ve been unwittingly cast in a Wes Anderson film.

The set up

Nothing will take the shine off the spa experience like clutter. Beyond the boring pedal bin, our top tip is free standing shelves and towel hooks - they’re a clever way to make the most of vertical space when it’s a bit of a tight squeeze. Fill wire baskets with your favourite bathroom bits and banish the less pretty lotions and potions to woven options.

With their mood-boosting benefits and air-purifying properties, plants are perfect for the bathroom. Low-lit and humid, it can feel more than a tad tropical - so look for plants that thrive in a suitably steamy space. Whilst their names don’t conjure up images of tranquillity, spider and snake plants are easy to look after and like things a little moist, as do elegant orchids and peace lilies.

Investing in a luxe robe is one of the easiest ways to elevate even the most mundane weekday evening. Traditionally white and tied at the waist, treat yourself to a towelling number with a shawl collar - and dig out those complimentary hotel slippers from the back of the wardrobe, too. After changing, take a few minutes to relax or meditate with a herbal tea in hand.

The mood-setters

Don’t despair over dark evenings, as they offer the opportunity to control the ultimate mood-setter - good lighting. If you can’t dim the main source (and bathroom lighting tends to be anything but relaxing) consider the sensory appeal of candlelight instead. For a long-term investment, spotlights will focus bright light away from the bath and towards high-use areas such as sinks and mirrors.

‘Saving’ that candle you got as a Christmas gift? Now’s the time to put it to good use - no special occasion neccessary. Forget layering here, as the added factor of perfumed products means one special scent is all you need - so choose wisely. If sturdy surfaces are lacking and flames are a safety concern, a good quality diffuser makes a fuss-free alternative.

If your evening bath is the only spot of silence you get all day, then we understand the temptation to make it a music-free zone, but it’s worth trying out a few genres first. What relaxes each of us is so personal, and might be unexpected – anything from rain sounds to reggae. Consider creating a playlist of soothing tunes so you won’t feel tempted to interrupt your bath to dry your hands and skip a song.