My Autumn Style Predictions

I LOVE AUTUMN DRESSING. I’m not sure if I mentioned that before? Obviously I jest because you lot know from my awkward turtle posing in camisoles, from my reluctance to don any kind of colour or cutesy pattern, that warm weather dressing just ain’t my crack. I love coats! I love layers! I love clomping around in my leopard print Russel Brand boots! It’s my favourite capsule wardrobe re-jig of the year. So much so that I completed it immediately when I got back from New York in a jet-lagged state because I was that desperate to get the ball rolling/the U.K had become arctic in the five days that I’d been away. Today I’ve uploaded the second part of my seasonal wardrobe series (see part one here!) and have shared my new purchases with you – have a scroll down to the bottom of this post to see that – but I thought I’d also chat through some predictions of what I think will be my most worn items of the upcoming months, along with an item that I’m still toying with. Thoughts on a postcard please… 

I’m pretty darn sure that my most worn item of my autumn capsule wardrobe will be this Whistles Alexandra Belted Camel Coat. Seriously – how can I take this off? It’s comfortable, cosy and in my new favourite colour. I think camel will be huge this autumn, although I can see checked blazers and big cocoon coats in primary colours having a moment too. I think that coats and jackets are the most exciting part of cold weather dressing because they can really take an outfit in a different direction. Add a black trench over a jeans and shirt combo (we ain’t in t-shirt weather anymore) and all of a sudden you’re screaming Parisian chic, but pop a denim jacket over it and you’ve got yourself the perfect ‘popping out to brunch’ Canadian tuxedo. I’ve actually realised that I have quite a few coats – I think about six or seven – but they all bring something new to the table and cater for different temperatures. I still think that constitutes capsule wardrobe numbers in my eyes, kinda… 

SHOP COATS & JACKETS

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BOOTS! My all-time favourite footwear category. I could talk about boots until the cows come home – you ready? I predict that we’ll be going for chunkier styles than ever before and even leaning towards patterns, prints and bolder colours. One of my favourite parts of transitioning from my summer to my autumn wardrobe was dusting off my boots and the ones I was most excited to be reunited with were my leopard print pair from Whistles. Prepare to see them in every other post for the next six months. Fun news – THEY’RE BACK IN STOCK.  I do have a couple of rules when it comes to boots. Firstly, I prefer pairs with a slight heel, high ankle and a pointy or soft almond toe – I just find those to be the most flattering. Secondly, I like to invest in leather pairs because they wear the best – ain’t nobody got time for suede brushing. Finally, if you’re going to create a little boot capsule wardrobe may I suggest a flatter black Chelsea boot for everyday wear, something a little fun (a print, a colour, a different fabric) for when dull outfits need spicing up and then a solid black higher heeled pair that are slightly dressier for when you want to look a little more formal. There you go, I’ve just justified three new pairs of shoes for you there. Shop away! 

SHOP BOOTS

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A question that I often ponder in the cooler months is – do I need to do a Ross and invest in a pair of leather trousers? I feel like they’d be a wardrobe staple if I took the plunge. I had a pair of faux ones from ZARA a couple of years ago and I wore them to death, to the point where they had a saggy butt and knee situation that just wouldn’t un-sag. However I can’t help but hear the words ‘IT’S MADE A PASTE’ ringing around in my head, which make me worry that I would end up traipsing back from London one evening with my jumper tied round my waist to cover my modesty. Thankfully I think the price point is going to be the snag here because they really don’t come cheap. Weekday do a pair that are on the less eye-watering side of the scale, but it’s this pair from Frame that really have me swooning. Unfortunately the latter cost the same as a month’s worth of adulting outgoings, so I can’t see that happening soon. If anyone hears of some major Net-A-Porter discount code doing the rounds – sling it my way, would ya?

SHOP LEATHER TROUSERS

Photos by Lauren Shipley

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