It’s so easy to get swept along with seasonal trends, isn’t it?
This time of year, you can’t move for posts proclaiming that your ‘fall must-haves’ and ‘autumn essentials’ lie within. And while I’m head-over-heels for autumn style, these rampant wardrobe overhauls are no friend to the environment – or our bank balances.
To combat this, I’ve spent the last couple of weeks collecting pictures of outfits I love, hoping to find a few common denominator pieces that’ll see me through the season.
That way, I can invest wisely in a good sweater, pair of boots or jacket, knowing it’ll create lots of different looks and last for years. I can look for other bits in charity/thrift shops or on Depop. And, most importantly, I can appreciate what I already have in my wardrobe.
So, here’s what I’ve got my eye on:
1. Checked blazer
When I think about autumn clothing, my mind whips through images of scarves, coats and woollen hats. But throughout the fall months, the weather is merely ‘mild’ where I live. This is where a good blazer comes in useful.
Layer it over a T-shirt, or a jumper, and you’re good from September until November.
2. Loafers
They’ve graced my Instagram grid and Pinterest feed for years (thanks to the Gucci loafer becoming the shoe du jour). But I’ve always resisted – and reviled – them. ‘They’re not flattering. Nor youthful. Nor cute,’ I’d decided, firmly.
But, I don’t know, something has changed. I really want a pair. Suddenly they seem sophisticated and elegant. The perfect accompaniment to a pair of black jeans or cigarette trousers on a crisp autumn day.
3. Black slim or skinny jeans
Black jeans are a staple for my autumn wardrobe. I love their versatility. You can dress them up with a blazer and heels, or down with a denim jacket and sneakers. They’re a slightly cooler, more put-together alternative to a blue jean.
And I’m fairly confident everyone already has a pair in their wardrobes, so no need to buy anything new. Win-win.
4. Mid-blue slim-fit or mom jeans
When a black skinny jean just won’t cut it.
When you’ve packed away your light-washed jeans for spring.
When you’ve decided you don’t ‘do’ skinny blue jeans anymore.
The mid-blue slim-fit jean is your friend. Comfy, stylish and goes beautifully with the camel and rust tones of autumn.
5. The cosy knit
The cosy knit is a yearly struggle. I’m forever on a quest for a well-fitting, cream-coloured thick-knit jumper. But they’re either too bunchy, too loose, too unflattering a colour on me, too … polyester-y.
Maybe this’ll be my year.
But even if it isn’t, I’ll be fully equipped with thick knits from previous years. My trusted roll-necks. My comfy cardis. And for anything else, there’s Depop.
6. The camel coat
I bought a camel-coloured coat in Topshop three years ago, not sure if I’d get a lot of wear out of it. But, each year, it’s been my autumn staple. (You know, before it becomes positively baltic and you need a proper coat.)
There are very few things you can’t just ‘chuck’ a camel coat over. I am big on chucking. I am big on the same coat every day (because invariably I’ll leave my work pass in the pocket and be locked out of my office otherwise). This is a very good staple; a worthy investment.
What have you got your eye on this autumn?
