It’s been a busy old year for fashion, and just when we had retreated to the safety and comfort of our favourite summer dress, the new season became imminent. Being stuck in the transitional period between heatwaves and thunderstorms has called for well-planned dressing, and with practicality controlling our daily outfit decisions, some of the whimsical fun of fashion has been lost. Sure, the puff-sleeved dress might be beautiful, but can I fit the sleeves into a sensible coat? And yes, the kitten-heeled slingbacks are the fashionable choice, but what happens if I’m caught in the rain? I’m sure that you agree there is a little bit of monotony in the current tried-and-tested uniform (T-shirt, midi skirt and sandals), so I immediately began looking optimistically to the autumn/winter 2022 runways for some inspiration, and this season is a good one.
There’s an eclectic autumn shopping line-up this year—from elegant, sweeping maxi coats to nostalgic, punky leather. And in this heady smorgasbord of colour, texture and references is something for everyone. (And if there is anything to lure us away from the same routine of sensible dressing, it’s going to be found here.)
With that in mind, it’s time to compile the ultimate shopping list for the new season. Below is a bumper roundup of some of the strongest trends to grace the runway and how you can shop and wear them now. In the mix, there are incredible high-street finds, one-of-a-kind designer pieces and everything in between. So whether you’re looking for something new to shake up your autumnal wardrobe or simply in need of the kind of investment buy that is guaranteed to roll around next autumn too, we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling for our autumn 2022 shopping guide, complete with everything worth considering for the new season.
I can’t be the only one who has been counting down to leather season. And in fact, over 90 brands showed leather in their A/W 22 collections. We know where we stand with leather—it always looks immaculately polished and expensive and is the sign that the wearer has a good eye for quality. So whether you’re looking for coats, dresses, skirts or trousers, there’s leather for every occasion.
A slick, glossy leather trench for the days when a simple camel coat just won’t do.
A leather skirt is a timeless classic, and after a summer of micro miniskirts, we’re gladly embracing a wearable midi.
With a subtle nod to the cowboy-boot trend, these boots have best seller written all over them.
Leather can be a little pricey, but classic trousers are an investment piece you’ll wear year in, year out.
Coloured leather, tuxedo details and a pencil cut—is there any box this dress doesn’t tick?
Barbiecore? It’s not for everyone. Thanks to Valentino, Balenciaga and a little bit of Margot Robbie, pink has been everywhere for the last few months, but if bubblegum cute isn’t your jam, it’s time for something a little more fiery. Enter bold, confident, unapologetic red.
It’s hard to believe that you can get this bold, fun evening dress on the high street.
Sure, you might already have a pair of wide-leg trousers in your wardrobe, but a tomato-red pair is guaranteed to brighten any outfit.
As the days get a little cooler, get cosy in impossibly soft cashmere.
Power dressing doesn’t get more confident than a tailored suit in a commanding colour like red.
When it comes to experimenting with colour, introduce texture to break up a head-to-toe look. A patent, glossy red always looks luxurious.
Every year, there is a marmite trend, one so divisive we know everyone in the Who What Wear office will either rush to buy it or politely avoid it, and this year’s has to go to grungy denim. Depending on when you were born, you will have some sort of memory of baggy jeans. Either the ’70s flares, the ’80s mom fit, ’90s hip-hop pants or noughties skater denim, but according to the runways, the bigger, the better always. Look out for jeans that are either low-slung and rest on the hips or the distressed, well-worn, baggy jeans that pool around the ankles.
RE/DONE’s ’70s Straight-Leg jeans are a new classic, the kind of high-waisted, flattering fit that tempted the fashion set away from skinny jeans. Consider these a gateway into the distressed trend.
Turn up the volume in Raey’s ultra-baggy jeans, complete with DIY-effect pintucking at the waistband.
The perfect, loose ’90s jeans that come in four washes: black, denim blue, light denim and an on-trend distressed indigo.
It’s been a big year for puddle pants, and puddle jeans are on their way. High-waisted and draped, these jeans feature fabric that “puddles” at the ankle in a wide-leg flare.
It might not be arctic outside quite yet, but we’re already dreaming about the soft, comforting cuddle-in-a-coat that only faux fur gives. This is a trend just as easily shopped in vintage and second-hand stores as it is on the high street, but whether you choose a retro-inspired longline coat or a cropped option, go for a statement colour like Balmain’s dusty violet or Coperni’s icy blue that is guaranteed to stand out from the crowd.
Faux fur comes in so many brilliant colours, but there is something instantly alluring about this unique bottle green.
Saint Laurent’s cream faux-fur coat is like being wrapped up in a luxurious cloud. Just add a sparkly minidress for a Studio 54–inspired party look.
If the soft shade of heather grey doesn’t instantly get you, the longline and pillowy-soft collar will. One for the mornings when you can’t seem to part with your duvet.
A camel-coloured fur + miniskirt + knee-high boots = a supermodel-approved look that’s on our mood boards this autumn.
What is there to add that hasn’t already been said about the versatility of the white tank top? It’s one of those pieces that everyone has in their wardrobe, and we wore it in myriad ways throughout summer and are taking it with us into autumn. It’s the perfect way to navigate clammy weather, and as it gets colder, simply pop on a leather blazer and an embellished skirt à la Prada, and wear it into the evening too.
Prepare to see this tank all over your feed (if you haven’t already). It sells through quickly, so act quickly to grab one or keep your eyes peeled for the restock.
An ultra-soft and stretchy vest that comes in seven neutral shades from bleach white to dark olive.
Arket basics are a Who What Wear go-to. The stretch fit and thick cotton mean it won’t go sheer, so you can confidently wear it on its own or layered under a shirt and jacket.
Switch up a classic racer-back vest for a chic, scooped neckline.
Coat fans, this is one for you. If ever there were a time to prioritise what was going on over your outfit rather than underneath, it is now during the emergence of the maxi coat. Sure, we love bomber jackets, and quilted coats are always winners, but there is something about an ankle-grazing coat that always scores maximum style points.
When you’re wearing what should be considered the chicest coat on the market, the outfit underneath is irrelevant.
An easy wrap coat to wear with jeans and trainers on the weekend and a dress and knee-high boots for the office.
This maxi coat with a fluffy, bouclé finish manages to tick two trends at once. It’s a reliable coat for next winter, and the next, and the next…
There should always be a trench coat on any autumn shopping list. Perhaps this extra-long, ankle-grazing “flood-length” version in rain-deflecting coated viscose?
We’ve been shopping the men’s section for a while now, but this season really ups the ante. Take your cotton shirts, blazers and trousers, and supersize them. The idea is that all of your tailoring looks boxy and oversized. Take notes from Khaite’s longline blazer styling (Hailey Beiber is sure to be wearing it soon), and add chunky loafers to complete the look.
Team Who What Wear’s favourite blazer is now available in a double-breasted fit. Win.
COS is the master of shirting on the high street, and you can find just about every fit and colour you could possibly need. The regular-fit macramé is a recent addition that adds a little subtle detail at the collars and the cuffs.
I am still waistcoat-obsessed, and The Frankie Shop always nails good tailoring. Waistcoats are smart enough to wear alone as tops, but you can maximise the effect by pairing one with a slouchy suit.
The only pair of trousers I get regular compliments on are from Warehouse. The high-waisted, wide-legged trousers are the perfect draped fit for the oversized trend.
It’s fair to say, the Y2K revival isn’t all butterfly tops and glitter. In the early Noughties while half of the population enjoyed velour tracksuits, mini handbags and cropped tees, there was an edgier antidote to the saccharine style. Pop punk was the on the rise, and with it came fishnets, studs, and slashed band tees, but this time around punk has had a luxe makeover. Expect pleated minis, chunky hardware and of course, plenty of clashing prints.
If a mesh top and a mini is a little bit too Y2K, swap the skirt for high waisted trousers and add a leather jacket.
You will have seen Chopova Lowena’s patchwork skirt on It girls everywhere, but this season’s offering is a pared-back studded midi.
It might be a houndstooth mini, but this delicate skirt manages to look polished with a little rebel attitude.
Looking for a easy nod to the trend without having to commit to a head-to-toe look? Balenciaga’s logo earrings are all of the chunky hardware you’ll need.
Striking the balance between comfort and style, this glossy, rubber boot is punk and practictical.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that sheer pastels were a spring/summer trend, this ethereal look lends itself perfectly to evening wear too, so we’re backing on it all year round. It turns out, the key to making tulle and mesh a little more wearable is to allow the slightest suggestion of skin. Wear a fine top with a blazer like Allison McNamara, or let a see-through dress be the finishing layer over a black bodysuit and shorts.
Molly Goddard’s dreamlike dresses are the perfect way to introduce diaphanous silhouettes into your everyday.
Ready to party? This is the only thing you’ll need to get the occasion started. Wear it with tailored trousers and razor-sharp stilettos to contrast the super-soft top.
The perfect accompaniment to a trouser suit, or any tailoring for that matter.
It might be autumn, but that doesn’t mean dressing in 50 shades of brown. Zesty brights are always welcome to brighten up a cloudy day.
This is a top worth buying in every colour, as it’s the ideal base for layering under anything—dresses, jackets, short-sleeve tops, you name it. Choose from baby blue, bold pink, sunshine yellow, cream or black.
After a summer of barely-there, strappy sandals, it’s time to embrace the chill with wild abandon. Although the clothing may be sheer, the boots are modest, and in some cases, covering all the way up to the thigh. Ankle boots, we had a good run, but this is the year of the knee-high.
Looking for boots made for walking? These ’70s-inspired knee-high boots are crafted from shiny burgundy chrome-free leather with a sturdy block heel.
A micro-mini hemline is the best way to make the most of these impressively crafted boots that follow the shape of your leg.
Sosandar’s clothing and footwear are designed by women, for women, and always have comfort in mind, making these a reliable pair of boots that will go the distance.
And finally for the fashion-forward shopper, abstract animal-print boots with memory foam insoles. Taking a walk on the wild side never looked so good.
