Fashion: See and be seen in August

NO-ONE was going to keep Amy Johnson on the ground. And nothing could have persuaded Amelia Earhart to take up knitting rather than aviation.

These feisty women were determined to soar above the prevailing conventions of the era in which they lived - and achieve the previously impossible.

Their pioneering flights would never have passed a modern-day risk assessment. In 2010, who would countenance (let alone insure) a solo trans-continental crossing in an aircraft bearing an unprepossessing similarity to a clutch of wire coathangers? But, back in the 1920s and 30s, the gritty spirit and fearless determination of Johnson and Earhart was uncontainable. And, in an era when women rarely made headlines for anything but marriage or murder, their achievements were global front-page news.

Long before anyone dared whisper the notion of a women's movement or voice demand for equal rights, and decades ahead of anyone using the f-word (feminism, please! The other f-word has been common parlance since the time of the Crusades), here were two women truly doing it for themselves - albeit with a little help from ground crew plus splendid encouragement from the various men in their lives. In the process, they surely inspired countless other women to let their imaginations soar, pursue previously impossible dreams, and reach for the stars.

Talking of dreams and soaring imaginations, a new fashion season is (almost) upon us. And you're wondering what true style pioneers should be wearing on their maiden flights into the stylistic unknown? Well, guess what? It's time to take Johnson and Earheart to heart, and make them your fashion icons.

If you're going to buy just one thing, this autumn, it should be a snug-fitting, buckle-fastened shearling aviator jacket. For designers have gleaned inspiration from those early years of flight history, and declared this cosy fusion of rugged practicality and glamour the latest fashion must-have.

Assuming you've just landed a Euro-millions win, or are otherwise unaffected by current economic woes, you should get your name down now for one of Christopher Bailey's fabulous Burberry Prorsum aviators. They're the definitive version of this very hot look. And, although they won't be available in-store or online until mid-September, Burberry is already accepting reservations for a style with oversized collar (1,895) or another with dramatically overscaled funnel neckline (2,195).

But even if your wardrobe budget is a couple of grand shy of these Burberry price tags, there's no need to lose control of your fashion engine and plunge headlong into an abyss of stylistic despair. For, although there's a world of difference between the super-luxury of the Burberry originals and cost-effective "homage" interpretations, leading high street brands are in full-throttle pursuit of the look.

Practically every one of them has a credible aviator either in the pipeline or already en-route to the sales floor. The most modestly priced versions are, of course, fashioned from fleece-faced 'pleather' or animal-friendly faux shearling. Which is good news for vegans, as well as cash-strapped followers of fashion. You'll discover M&S, Next, Debenhams and Dorothy Perkins all have the aviator nicely faked up.

Whatever version you choose, from greatest and most luxurious to least expensive, there's more than one way to work it. Best, I'd suggest, to avoid too literal a recreation of Johnson-Earhart cockpit style, as billowing jodhpur-like breeches tend to edge you closer to fancy dress than style icon status. Besides, such a voluminous silhouette in the backside area is bound to unleash a lot of does-my-bum-look-big anxiety.

Opt instead for slender trousers - perhaps in second-skin black leather (or 'pleather'), possibly in military-inspired khaki wool. For aviator jackets provide a striking new twist to the trusty military theme that routinely pervades successive winter seasons. Tailored shorts and skirts also work when worn with chunky tights and robust boots.

An innovative put-together (and one that's much more in the spirit of the blinder Burberry played in its runway show at London Fashion Week) involves a little blurring of the gender divide. It's all about carelessly tossing an aviator jacket over a dress of fragile gauze, filmy chiffon or ultra-feminine lace.

The combo from River Island, featured here, completely captures this intriguing new juxtaposition of tough with soft, rugged with refined, practical with seductive. But if you fear fashion-refusniks will assume you've merely stolen a jacket from Biggles and tugged it over your nightie, restrict the girlie note to a top. And, with your search for the perfect top in mind, let me mention Next's knock-out lace shirts in khaki or ochre, two key shades for the new season. They're beautifully tailored with strategically positioned pockets - a snip at just 32.

Accessory departments are already stocking up with fur-lined hats inspired by vintage aviator helmets. But I'd counsel against any temptation to add goggles. For, unless history takes an unexpected turn in the next few weeks, you'll be wearing your aviator jacket for a night out on the tiles rather than a hazardous mission into enemy airspace.

You're buckling up for a flight of fashion fancy, not an air raid.