As an editor at Who What Wear, I typically spend a lot of time looking at new-in products, so every month, I update this story with the pieces that have caught my eye or that I have saved to my wish list. For autumn, more than ever I’m leaning towards classic, quality pieces that feel really elevated and special, but crucially that I can wear for my more low-key 2020 plans including walks, afternoons in the pub with friends and for working at home.
As several warehouses and stores shuttered this year, the fashion industry faces huge challenges and strains that pose an inevitable threat to businesses, reflected in the number of flash sales launching every single day. Many of us won’t be shopping in the same way this year, but even a like on Instagram or a message of support can provide a boost for these brands. I certainly don’t want anyone to feel like they have to buy more right now in a time of such heightened worry, but at the same time, after working in the fashion industry for nine years, I also want to support the brands and pieces that I love and treasure.
So whether you’re looking to buy, browse or discover something new, keep scrolling for the autumn buys I love and think are worth investing in, from the high street to designer labels.
Keep scrolling to see the 20 items I love for autumn.
This isn’t my typical style—but I adore the bold, graphic print.
I love the unlikely colourway of this Grace Bonner cardigan.
Perfect for that back-to-school feeling that never seems to go away no matter how old you are.
This will liven up any zoom call.
When it comes to coat trends, I’m personally most taken with the quilted styles.
Riding boots are trending for autumn winter 2020, and these are my dream.
A Cold Laundry jacket is the next thing I want to buy.
This feels like a dressing gown, but doesn’t look like it—making it perfect for working from home.
Nanushka is one of my favourite contemporary labels, and I love the loose knit on this jumper.
Toteme releases its Annecy coat every year, and I think it’s the perfect winter coat.
The colours in this scarf are so beautiful.
I love the matching trousers too.
Arket is one of my favourite high-street brands—and I love this chunky fleece.
The rule with boots for 2020 is the chunkier, the better.
Beautiful.
In winter I live in chunky cardigans, and I am into the buttons on this H&M cardi.
A knitted coat? Hello!
A jumper you will treasure year after year.
Chain detailing is proving popular for AW20, and I love how this is adorned on the front of these loafers.
The collar and button detailing on this knit is just so sweet.
Aje is one of my favourite labels for dresses.
The Gucci Jackie bag has been relaunched this year, and Vestiaire Collective has so many vintage versions.
I’m looking forward to wearing belts over blazers.
Wear with shorts now, and jeans when the weather cools.
Chunky sole boots will be everywhere this autumn.
Chains are getting even chunkier this autumn.
The dream trousers for those of us working from home.
Speaking of knitwear, I’d wear this over a white shirt.
Trust me, leather coats will be very popular this autumn.
Perfect for weekend getaways.
I love blazers, and this green linen jacket is so beautiful.
I love the collar and puff sleeves on this dress.
These look so expensive.
I love the pretty ties on this Tove top.
I love the back-to-school feel of this knit.
You need to see the back on this.
I love the buttery colour of this blouse.
I own these boots in black and lived in them last winter.
This comes with matching trousers too.
I love the cute buttons on this denim shirt.
I own this bag in the polka dot print, but am eyeing up this pink leather version.
The pretties face masks I ever did see.
These sleeves are just so beautiful.
Arket does this tank top in several colours.
There is a matching top to this too.
Kate Middleton wore a dress in this print.
A fashion-girl favourite.
& Other Stories is my favourite place on the high street for knitwear.
I’ve been considering this dress for a long time.
Shrimps, I love you.
Wear now with sandals, and in autumn with a boxy blazer.
Trust me—leather blazers will be big news this autumn.
Not technically a summer buy I know—but I’ve been eyeing this up.
This collar is just so pretty.
Another dream Rixo dress.
& Other Stories does the best knitwear.
I’ve been searching for the perfect pair of everyday shorts—and think I’ve found them.
I love the stitching on these jeans.
Our columnist Monikh has this top, so of course I want it.
Simple but so good.
I love that this has a swimming costume vibe to it.
Arizona Loves are my favourite sandals.
This would look amazing with a white T-shirt or silky camisole.
Horror Vacui is one of my new favourite brands.
This comes with a pair of matching shorts too.
I’m all for dressing like a picnic blanket.
For this week’s heatwave.
Can’t forget the matching bottoms.
Equal parts practical and stylish.
I’ve been eyeing these bags up all summer.
These also come in black.
SPF dressing at its best.
I love this sugary pink.
Rooper handbags are almost all sold out.
The perfect summer shorts.
Beach or no beach, I love this bikini.
This shade of green is my favourite this year.
I have been admiring Rhode’s Ella dresses for years.
I love these school-girl shoes.
Amsterdam-based label Wandler is perhaps my favourite handbag brand of all—I bought the Hortensia bag several years ago and it is one of the most special items I have.
Desmond & Dempsey creates luxury pyjamas in the most beautiful hand-painted prints—the shirts are so good you’ll want to wear them in the day too.
I won’t need to introduce Who What Wear readers to Ganni—no-one does printed throw-on dresses better than this Copenhagen-based power house.
Faithfull the Brand creates clothes for adventures, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them at home too—the dresses and midi skirts all use vibrant colours and prints that will give you that holiday feeling.
Veja launched in 2005 and has quickly become a cult label leading the way when it comes to sustainability, both in terms of transparency and introducing innovative technologies.
When Oxford Street re-opens, I’m heading straight to Liberty, which I would say is my favourite shop in London. This Liberty print eye mask is a fancy addition to bedtime.
Budapest-based brand Nanushka creates beautiful, timeless clothes that feel simple and timeless, but still have an unmistakable aesthetic.
If I had to pick one brand to wear all summer, it would have to be Albus Lumen.
When it comes to sandals, I think Swedish footwear brand ATP Atelier make the best ones out there. The leather slides and flatform flip flops are my personal favourites.
Self Portrait has become one of the most popular brands out there for formal dressing, and this powder blue midi dress is an example of just how beautiful its designs are.
It isn’t just small, independent brands that are being impacted in this time, as Oxford Street and high streets up and down the country have temporarily closed. I remember when & Other Stories first opened, and my colleagues and I had a preview and said, “Oh, this is going to be good.” Seven years later, and it remains my favourite high-street store.
Rhode is another “destination” label, with lightweight dresses and kaftans designed with the beach in mind. The Ella mini was one of the most popular dresses of 2019 and continues to be a hero for the brand.
At Rixo’s spring summer 2020 presentation they teamed up with Christian Lacroix to reimagine archive pieces—it’s all pure ’80s glamour.
