Time was when all you had to remember was that fashion month took place every six months, in February and in September, with designers showing their ready-to-wear collections for the next season in the fashion cities of New York, London, Milan and Paris. 

Now, though, ‘resort’ and ‘cruise’ (they refer to the same thing, landing in shops in December and bridging the gap between autumn/winter and spring/summer) and ‘pre-fall’ (lands in-store in May/June to tide you over from spring/summer to autumn/winter) presentations battle for our attention. 

For example, this month, you are seeing images from the resort 2014 shows and presentations online (they will go on sale next December), while in stores, spring/summer 2013 is discounted as the summer sales have started and pre-fall has just landed. Confused?

Well here’s a month-by-month guide to the year 2013 in fashion, taking in the major international cities, including couture but leaving out menswear.

January:
On the Catwalk:
Couture week happens in Paris with couturiers and designers showing the press, wealthy private clients and Hollywood stylists and stars their spring/summer 2013 collections.
In the shops:
The last of autumn/winter 2012 is in sale, having traditionally been marked down on Boxing Day. Resort 2013, which started trickling in in December, arrives in full.

February:
On the catwalk: 
The ready-to-wear fashion weeks happen in New York, London, Milan and Paris with designers showing the press and buyers their autumn/winter 2013 collections.
In the shops:
Spring/summer 2013 ready-to-wear arrives in full.

March/ April:
On the catwalk: 
Nothing to report.
In the shops:   
Spring/summer 2013.

May:
On the catwalk:
The resort 2014 collections are shown in May and June with buyers and press turning out to see what designers have planned for us to wear on holidays next December/January. 
In the shops:
Spring/summer 2013.

June:
On the catwalk: 
The resort 2014 collections continue to be shown into June.
In the shops: 
Spring/summer 2013 ready-to wear goes into sale with significant markdowns happening around the middle of the month, and pre-fall 2013, which bridges the gap between summery sundresses and proper winter overcoats, arrives in store.

July:
On the catwalk: 
Couture week begins on 30 June in Paris and continues until 5 July, with designers showing their autumn/winter 2013 couture gowns.
In the shops: 
Slashed sale items and pre-fall 2013.

August:
On the catwalk: 
Nothing in the major fashion cities. Everyone goes on holiday.
In the shops: 
Pre-fall 2013 and, towards the end of the month, autumn/winter 2013 ready-to-wear arrives in store. 

September: 
On the catwalk: 
The ready-to-wear fashion weeks get underway in New York, London, Milan and Paris with designers showing their spring/summer 2014 collections. 
In the shops:
Autumn/winter 2013 has arrived in full.

October/November:
On the catwalks:
Nothing in the major cities.
In the shops: 
Autumn/winter 2013.

December: 
On the catwalk: 
Designers show their pre-fall collections, which will be available in June 2014.
In the shops:
Resort 2014 starts to arrive