If there’s one thing I’ve learned from French women—aka the eternal arbiters of style—it’s that fashion is best when it’s uncomplicated. The elusive ‘just threw it on’ energy they radiate will never date, but it’s surprisingly easy to master.
There are few things more satisfying than putting little time and effort into an outfit, only for it to fill you with confidence as you go about your day. For me, there’s a roster of fail-safe items I know will always have this effect. Blue jeans? Can’t go wrong. Floral midi dress? Just call me Jeanne Damas. Nevertheless, I often find myself looking my attire up and down in the mirror and thinking, “Wow, I should really change things up a bit.”
My most recent moment of clarity led me to Instagram, where I found no end of inspiring looks that I knew would fit my criteria: timeless, polished and easy to achieve with minimum effort. The desire for simplicity is universally shared; who among us doesn’t want to cut down on the number of decisions we make in a day? So, whether you’re spending the last days of summer (gulp) picnicking in the park or embarking on a last-minute getaway, these six ensembles feel just right for the here and now. Plus, they’ll carry you through the incoming seasonal shift. Keep scrolling to see the easy autumn outfits we’re already bookmarking…
In classic Gallic fashion, Anne-Laure Mais makes a mini skirt suddenly feel less daunting.
This moss grey shade is a refreshing alternative to camel trench coats.
Make sure you keep your pumpkin spice latte away from this white Arket number.
We can see these selling out, so act fast.
Lydia Tsegay’s masterclass in tonal styling went straight into my saves.
We love this neckline so much we wrote a whole piece about it.
Truly a wear-with-everything trouser.
This colour for autumn? Sign me up.
Stripes look good whatever the season, as proven by Bianca Foley.
This co-ord would work just as well for a late-summer festival as a casual Sunday brunch.
And you can style the pieces separately—limitless outfit options for the price of one.
I’ve been hunting for the perfect chunky boot, and I think this & Other Stories pair might just be the one.
The unexpected splash of colour in this outfit from Monique Agar brings me ineffable joy.
The beige blazer: a year-round staple you’ll invest in once and never look back.
Who knew an item so affordable could hold the power to transform an outfit?
Birkenstocks are back, but with an autumn-friendly twist.
It doesn’t get more classic than Lindsey Holland’s monochrome ensemble—I love how versatile each of the individual items are, too.
There’s a reason cable knits make a yearly comeback.
These simple black trousers could easily be dressed up come evening.
Ruling the sneaker game since 1908; need I say more?
The proportions of this look are seriously dreamy—kudos to you, Aïde Sané.
Reformation might be known for its summer dresses, but the knitwear is just as high-quality.
The perfect throw-on jacket for chilly afternoons.
Just imagine these knee-highs styled with a voluminous smock dress.
