October 19, 2020

My Autumn Uniform & Where To Buy It

Knitwear, knitwear and more… knitwear.

This post contains ad affiliate links (denoted by a ‘*’) & gifted items (denoted by ‘ad - gifted). You can read my full disclaimer here.

It’s been over two months since we waved a temporary goodbye to the majority of our belongings and put them into storage until we move into our new place and I genuinely feel it will be like reuniting with old friends when I see the contents of my wardrobe again. I am 100% happy with the beauty bits that I packed and have absolutely no yearnings there for missing items, but when it comes to clothing – I AM READY FOR OUR REUNION. Autumn is by far the best season of the year for dressing and I’m missing some of my biggest MVP’s. Of course I managed to pack the majority of them, but with space being a premium in my parent’s spare room I wasn’t able to pack the full team, so this post goes out to them. Autumn 2021 – I look forward to you already…

SLOUCHY KNITS

Good grief, if I was left to my own devices my wardrobe would be 95% slouchy knits. I can’t get enough of them. The one-step versatile piece for autumn that can be dressed up, or dressed all the way to loungewear depending on what you pair with it, I wear one every single day. I have the ARKET Bell-Sleeve Alpaca Jumper* (ad – gifted) in Beige and Lilac in a Medium and it’s brilliant. Extremely oversized and just such a brilliant slouchy shape (how do I stop myself getting the Black version I do not know). I have a brilliant one from Theory a few years ago that’s no longer available, but this & Other Stories Oversized Wool Blend Sweater* was one they did last year and have bought back due to popular demand I’m sure. If you fancy a bit of colour then this ARKET Alpaca V-Neck Sweater* (ad – gifted) is a gorgeous shade of sage that works well with other neutrals in your wardrobe.

SHOP THE SLOUCHY KNIT EDIT*

CARDIGANS

Fun fact: My Mum owns approximately 198679 cardigans and has one of every colour that TU have ever made. I can’t say I’ve ever been much of a cardigan gal until last year when I invested in two chunky versions – one brown and one black and it turns out that they are really, really handy. They are basically mini little dressing gowns and I can’t believe I didn’t see the worth in them before. So this year I’ve invested in two thinner knit styles – both the Sezane Gaspard Jumper*. I’m a size 10/12 and I picked up both the Black and the Ecru colours in a Medium and I’d say they are quite an oversized fit, but I’m allowing for a bit of shrinkage over time from washing. If you fancy something a bit more oversized then the ARKET Oversized Wool Cardigan* looks like a great pick, or for something more structured – love me a collared cardigan at the moment – then the & Other Stories Wool Blend Tortoise Button Cardigan* is the one.

SHOP THE CARDIGAN EDIT*

STRAIGHT LEG JEANS

Not just to lift the copy from my ‘2020 Capsule Wardrobe Essentials’ post that went live a few weeks ago, BUT – my recommendations are obviously still the same. A straight leg is basically the only jean in my life right now and I’m not sure I’ll ever stray from them (will skinny jeans ever have a come back!? I can’t lie – the resurrection of stretch denim would be much appreciated by my waistline personally). Whatever the weather, whatever the season I’m wearing them, but never more so than in autumn/winter. If you’re not sure where to start, then may I suggest my Denim Buying Guide Blog Post? That should give you a bit of a helping hand. But the CliffNotes version is that I have two favourite styles: the Topshop Raw Hem Straight Leg Jeans* if you fancy something that ticks all the fit boxes, but has a little comfy stretch to them, or if you’re looking for an investment piece the RE/DONE High Rise Stove Pipe Jeans* are my favourite, favourite style of them all.

SHOP THE STRAIGHT LEG JEAN EDIT*

SWING JACKETS

This is a new category for me. Although I still love my leather jacket, it’s not something I reach for as often as I once did and some days a proper heavy wool coat is too much, you know? So for those occasions I’ve found the perfect solution – a light swing jacket. A slightly more feminine take on an over-shirt, it’s become one of my go-to pieces. Mine was a vintage MaxMara find from WearNotNew and it’s one of those pieces that I just feel FAB whenever I put it on. It is a classic vintage fit that is a little hard to replicate on the dupe front, but this Jigsaw Fine Drill Belted Jacket* is a similar shape (minus the belt), and is a whopping 70% off right now. Also this John Lewis & Partners A-Line Mac* has a similar cut and feel and looks like it would be a practical piece too.

SHOP THE SWING JACKET EDIT*

CAMEL COATS

I’ve had a camel coat in my autumn wardrobe for years and it’s such a staple for me. Although this year I added a cream coat to my wardrobe line-up (see above), previously I’ve worn just camel, black and leopard print as my overcoat options and it’s a tough call to say what’s my most-worn out of the three. This year I made the jump to my dream camel coat – the Toteme Annecy Double-Faced Wool-Blend Coat* (see how I got it for 50% here!) – and I’m so excited to put it to work. For me I love a camel piece with an all-black outfit underneath, or with a blend of neutrals like biscuits and creams paired with it. For the best high-street dupe that I’ve found, check out this Mango Handmade Wool Coat*, it’s forever flitting in and out of stock, but it’s worth keeping your eye on because it looks like it has just the right amount of floaty-ness and structure.

SHOP THE CAMEL COAT EDIT*

CHUNKY BOOTS

Another category that I previously mentioned in my ‘2020 Capsule Wardrobe Essentials’ post, but one that suits the autumn/winter season more. I move from a slip-on or hefty sandal in the summer, straight into a boot the minute the weather gets cold. Boots with a heavy coat, straight leg jeans and your favourite handbag? An evergreen classic that I’ll be wearing variations of for years I’m sure. The ones I have are no longer available, but the & Other Stories Lace-Up Leather Boots* look like this year’s version of them. They are so comfy and practical and with a sole that can withstand rain, snow, ice – whatever. Although I’m thinking that this might be the year to upgrade and it’s the Dear Frances Park Boot* that I have my eye on. I asked on Stories the other day for feedback and the general consensus was that it’s best to get your usual size and that they require barely any breaking in as the leather is so soft. They sound LUSH.