Hands up if you’ve been both inconceivably hot and caught in the rain this week? Yes, the Great British weather has been treating us to a game of two halves for the last couple of weeks, putting us in a very tricky position when it comes to getting ready in the morning.
A quick scan of the Who What Wear office on an overcast day last week showed a mix of corduroy, knits, summer dresses and sandals, and if that isn’t a sign that we’re stuck in fashion limbo, I don’t know what is. The one thing we can all agree on, however, is that we’re desperate to be in throes of a consistent, crisp autumn. (We just know where we stand with cosy layering.) So there’s only one thing for it. For as long as this unpredictable weather prevails, this season is all about hybrid dressing.
The goal is to keep cool, but be prepared for rain; layered up, but not too stuffy. Okay, simple. A good starting point is some of the pieces we bought and all wore all summer. After all, there is plenty of life still left in them. “But how can I wear a summer dress in autumn?” I hear you ask. Well, the answer is deceptively simple. Keep scrolling to see seven ways to make your summer buys wearable for autumn. Your wardrobe will thank you.
Tank tops had a moment this summer after popping all over the S/S 22 and A/W 22 runways. Elevated from a high-street staple to a sought-after designer item (we’re still trying to get our hands on that Loewe tank), a plain vest is the perfect building block for muggy days that don’t require extra layers.
The camel coat is a classic, but this sage-green trench feels much more modern.
We’ve tried it and tested it, and the Arket racerback vest is one of the best on the market. Plus, it comes in versatile shades of white, black and beige, so there’s a colour for every outfit.
Pangaia’s wide-leg jeans are made from rain-fed hemp and organic cotton, so you can shop good jeans sustainably.
We can’t stop talking about knee-high boots for autumn, and when they look this good, it’s easy to see why.
I don’t know an outfit that can’t be improved by a pair of simple gold hoops.
Whether you’re Team Maxi or Team Mini, it was impossible to ignore just how much the micro hemline took over street style this summer. Miu Miu’s miniskirt set the tone for a very bare-legged summer, but it’s also the perfect accompaniment to autumn’s It boots: knee-highs.
I’ve been waiting all year to get into a brightly coloured, fluffy knit. Comfort dressing in style.
You can always rely on The Frankie Shop for the cool take on the season’s key pieces. After all, it singlehandedly resurrected cargo trousers.
The ultimate investment buy? A refined wool coat.
These chic suede boots also come in a glossy mock croc if you prefer a patent finish.
We’re still obsessed with ’90s baguettes.
Ah, the summer dress. The easiest instant outfit for the weekend, work and away. There have been too many good dresses to count this summer, and we’re not ready to retire them quite yet, so instead of putting yours away for another year, just add a chunky knit, and swap sandals for suede shoes.
Esse Studios is a fashion editor–approved name to know now. Expect minimalist, modern and sophisticated dresses with full-skirted silhouettes.
Autumnal dressing doesn’t get more comfortable than a chunky knit cardigan.
Thanks to Birkenstock, we’re enjoying a clog revival. No matter if it’s leather, suede or ponyskin, just make sure the next shoe on your list is a backless slip-on.
Loewe bags always make our list for the top buys to invest in, but the new seasonal colourways are particularly good.
Alighieri’s charming pieces add a little dose of magic to any outfit, and the Celestial Night pendant is a case in point.
If there’s one thing we wore on repeat this summer, it was the oversized button-down shirt. Cool, effortless, and polished, the reliable wardrobe staple is a classic, and one of the easiest pieces to transition into autumn under blazers, over polo-necks or with Scandi style favourite, the knitted vest.
Lean into loose tailoring for effortless cool.
Knit vests are so cool I’m convinced they might actually rival the jumper. Wear alone or layered up over long-sleeved shirts depending on the weather.
There’s something about wool trousers in a houndstooth check that feel entirely autumnal.
I’m pausing all of the knee-high-boot coverage to appreciate this pair of covetable ankle boots. The best shoes to wear with wide-leg trousers.
At Who What Wear, we’re in the habit of spotting a key piece a mile away, and this saddle bag has best seller written all over it.
Okay, it might a little chilly for the linen we spent the last few months thoroughly committed to, but wide-leg trousers deserve to be celebrated all year round. Whether loose and flowy or tailored with a sharp pleat, just add a woolly knit and cool trainers for your new weekend uniform.
Brighten a grey day with a happy, sunshine knit.
If you need Savile Row–quality tailoring at a high-street price, look no further than Reiss.
Calling all sneakerheads: The Adidas x Craig Green collaboration was one of the best new trainers to come out of this year.
The Whistles x Hai collection doesn’t just have exquisite slip dresses; it has equally good accessories.
It’s always clever to carry a pair of stylish sunglasses (and an umbrella) just in case.
Shirts and shorts came into their own during the heatwave, and everyone from Totême to H&M had a take on the matching co-ord. As cotton shorts aren’t ideal for blustery winds and spells of rain, trousers are the obvious choice for nailing head-to-toe print, especially for evening.
Your new go-to shirt for work and weekend in a luxurious silky, satin finish.
This co-ord might have all of the comfort of wearing your pj’s, but it comes alive after dark. (Sparkly accessories encouraged.)
Autumn needs a must-have jacket, and this year, it’s the leather blazer.
Goodbye, dated clutch bags; we’re all about mini buckets for evening now.
When it comes to heels, comfort and style don’t traditionally mix. Enter the mule—the most wearable shoe trend since the kitten heel and the perfect blend of all our favourite shoe styles.
Remember when you couldn’t scroll through Instagram without seeing fisherman sandals? They might have been a controversial style (falling into the category we affectionately call “ugly shoes”), but their sheer longevity proved there was an appeal to the chunky shoes. Just ask The Row. As the weather gets chillier, don’t be afraid to wear the sandals with socks. It’s the influencer-approved way to do casual cool.
According to the A/W 22 shows, tailoring is supersized this year, so make sure your next blazer has a contemporary XXL fit.
Never underestimate the power of a good white T-shirt. You’ll end up wearing it with everything.
Abercrombie is on our radar after a spell of particularly good dresses (and one recently restocked viral sensation), so we’re looking forward to its autumn/winter offerings.
Hands down, the best pair on the high street. Just add black socks, and you’re good to go.
A lot of stylish influencers wore bandanas as headscarves in their holiday pictures this year, but now we can repurpose them as neckerchiefs until next summer rolls around.
