Welcome to The Great Try-On. With autumn well and truly in the air, we seized the opportunity to try on some of the best new-in pieces from some of your favourite brands, documenting the process along the way. We believe that the best way to shop online is to see an item IRL and to read candid reviews, so we hope that this leads you to your most successful purchases of the year.
It goes without saying that Marks and Spencer is a staple of the great British high street. Founded over 130 years ago, the brand covers everything from food and banking to homeware and lingerie. But if you know where to look, it’s also home to plenty of stylish clothing.
This season, M&S is continuing to do what it does best and provide us with classic, well-executed wardrobe staples that are affordable, good-quality and timeless. So what can you expect from the much-loved high-street giant this autumn/winter? There’s a particular focus on coats, with faux-shearling styles taking centre stage. Boots are reigning supreme, whether you’re into the cowboy trend or want to invest in a knee-high style. Plus, there’s a shout-out to leather, which the whole Who What Wear team agrees the brand does exceptionally well.
I popped into the store to try on some of the hero pieces that caught my eye, as well as a few exclusives that are launching soon. Here’s my edit of the best pieces to see you through the new season, as well as my honest review of fit, style, wearability and fabric. Enjoy!
My Review: This is such a classic look, and the items can be worn together or separately throughout the year. First up are these incredible wide-leg trousers, which are some of the best I’ve seen on the high street. I’m not normally a trouser girl, but these have got me rethinking everything! My normal size fits me really well on the stomach and hips, plus they hit me at just the right point on my ankle. There’s also no zip, so they’re super comfy. For the top half, I’ve gone with this striped shirt, which is a staple for the brand. I’ve sized up to give it a cooler, oversized look but have kept to my normal size in this classic car coat. Note the designer-esque mules, too, which are made from 100% responsibly sourced leather.
My Review: I’m the first to admit that I am not normally a leather person, but I’ve heard such good things about M&S’s collection that I knew I had to try it. Forgoing the trousers—which I found a slightly odd length on me—I’ve opted for this chic, buttery-soft leather midi skirt. It’s a tad roomy on the waistband, so consider a size down if you have a smaller waist. I’ve then added this cropped moto-style jacket on top, which is a more grown-up version of the standard biker jacket. For shoes, I’ve always loved mules.This off-white pair is narrow but incredibly comfortable and easy to walk in. I’ve finished the look off with the perfect boxy striped T-shirt from the brand’s Autograph range, which you can wear with jeans, shorts and trousers, too.
My Review: I love everything about this look, which has a slightly ’70s touch to it. The monochrome floral midi dress features an elasticated waist (which is super flattering) and a pretty frill hem. It’s roomy, so go down if you’re between sizes, or consider adding a belt. I’ve paired it with this incredible faux-shearling coat, which is launching in October. This is my normal size, and it’s roomy enough to fit a sweatshirt underneath but probably not a chunky knit (not that you’d need it with this fluff!). For the footwear, I trialed the brand’s knee-high boots. I got my normal size, but I have small calves, so they felt a bit loose. I know that this can often be a worry point for some people, but I am happy to say these are roomier than most and are definitely one of the best pairs I’ve tried on this year. Finally, this padded faux-leather crossbody bag adds another trend-led element. I love the deep wine shade, which is a great choice if you’re steering clear of black.
My Review: Ah, coats. M&S rarely gets these wrong. This belted, cashmere-mix camel style is one of the brand’s hero pieces for the new season, so I knew I had to try it for you. It’s beautiful, and while I wouldn’t normally opt for this shape as I often find it not so flattering on my hips, I love the rich shade and thick wool fabrication. For jeans, I’ve tried on these amazing mini flares, which I love paired with a heeled boot. I think navy shades and light-wash denim help make camel look a bit cooler, so I’ve added a Parisian-inspired striped knit underneath. Last but not least, the cowboy boots. M&S has released this pair in three variations: black leather, white leather (as worn here) and suede. They come up higher on the leg than other pairs but work well with a cropped jean or midi dress.
My Review: Next, a chic layering look. Everyone raves about M&S jeans, so I knew I needed to put them to the test. These are the standard straight-legs in a solid black wash. I’m 5’7″ and had to opt for the short leg, but even these are a bit too long. Thankfully, I like a turned up hem. Up top, I’ve tried this amazing double-breasted coatigan, which the team spotted at the M&S press day and has finally landed in store. Made from a wool blend, it feels so expensive and is ideal for the often confusing in-between weather we experience throughout autumn. I’ve worn it over the same boxy tee as before and added a loose denim shirt, but you can also wear it under a thicker coat. My footwear here are black kitten-heel ankle boots, which the brand produces every season. They’re not too tall but still add much-appreciated height and a smart touch to this otherwise casual look.
My Review: Last but not least is this sensational puffer. Longline and with both a belt and hood, it’s a winter essential for rainy weekends or commutes. This only comes in one shade (forest green, as worn here) and runs true to size. Although, I would advise going up a size if you want to fit chunky knits underneath. I’ve paired it with these grey-wash jeans from the brand’s Per Una range. These fit me much better on the leg than the standard straight-leg, so look out for them in store. Finishing off the look are these cool sock-style boots. These don’t have a zip so are easy to slip on and off but do have a good grip on the sole. I went down a size to ensure they’re not too baggy around the ankle, as this can often happen with this style of boots. To bring all the colours together, I’ve added this nylon leopard-print bag, which has a crossbody strap and multiple pockets. I can’t wait to wear this combo over the next few months!
Up Next: 6 Fashion People Who Always Find Expensive-Looking High-Street Pieces
