After a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it-summer, our attention has quickly turned to autumn, and if the year thus far is anything to go by, we have a very fashionable season ahead. We’ve managed to navigate the tricky in-between of warm winds and spells of rain, but practicality isn’t usually very fun, which begs the question, what do we wear when we want to feel good?
At Who What Wear UK we’re firm believers in celebrating the joy of dressing, and whilst we’ve spent plenty of time curating the perfect capsule wardrobe and investing in the pieces we know we’ll wear for a lifetime, we’re also advocates for occasionally buying the exciting items that get your heart racing. I’m sure you agree that whilst there are benefits to tried-and-tested dressing formulas (and frankly, a T-shirt, blazer, jeans and loafers works for every occasion), there’s also something to be said about the buzzy new trends making their way off the runways and into stores.
So, in a bid to keep you (and your wardrobes) bang up to date, I immediately began looking through the A/W 23 shows for some fresh new inspiration, and I wasn’t disappointed. Last year’s high/low mix of glossy, pop noughties vs. ’90s grunge told a tale of two halves, but this autumn there is undoubtedly an altogether darker and more sultry mood. Yes, there are still the same elegant maxi coats, punky leather pieces, and a heady smorgasbord of colour, but this time around you can also expect modest dressing up against risqué cut-outs, micro minis vs. trailing maxis, and just enough lace and cashmere to tempt us away from linen and florals. How does that sound?
And so without further ado, it’s time to compile the ultimate bumper shopping list for autumn 2023. Below, you’ll find some of the most important trends to grace the runways along with pieces you can shop with just a couple of clicks. Expect plenty of high-street heroes,statement designer pieces and just about everything in between. So whether you’re looking for the next big aesthetic to dive into, an easy way to update your seasonal wardrobe or are curious about the trends you can expect to see next autumn, too, keep scrolling.
This is the Who What Wear UK autumn 2023 shopping guide, complete with everything worth considering for the new season.
Style Notes: It almost goes without saying that a trench coat would make the cut—after all, it’s the one piece that we all immediately reach for as soon as the sun sets on summer. The majority of us probably have a classic camel trench waiting in the wings to make an appearance come September, but according to the runways, the trenches to know now come in bold colours and prints, different fabrics, and are almost always supersized, so if you’re looking for a way to dress up a white tee and jeans, look no further than a longline, statement trench.
Style Notes: There’s a reason they’re called “beige flags” and not grey. The truth is, this understated hue is anything but boring. From blue-ish slates to airy greys, there isn’t a tone that isn’t chic, and where other colours may become tiring when overused (ahem, Barbie pink), grey reliably delivers on versatility. Corporate suits, casual jersey, slinky evening dresses, cosy knits… there’s nothing it can’t do or be paired with, so the next time you reach for a black blazer, try grey. I promise you, it’s the subtle change our wardrobes have been waiting for.
Style Notes: Every season needs a trend so frivolous it becomes a topic of conversation, and now that low-slung denim has left the chat, it’s time to focus on feathers. Less Big Bird and more BDE (that’s big, dramatic energy), I urge anyone to wear something floaty and feather-adorned and not feel instantly better. It might be one you hold on reserve until Christmas party season, but should your social calendar be filling up already, feathers always make the right kind of entrance. Having a bad day? Just imagine yourself in Huishan Zhang’s bubblegum pink feathered gown (pictured above) and breathe it in. Isn’t that already better?
Style Notes: Now it’s time to slip into something a little more comfortable. No, really. We’re ready to trade in summer’s light and airy slip dress for something more substantial, and a fine-knit dress ticks every box. Right now there are plenty of mini and midi lengths perfect for the transitional weather, but the runways have spoken, and once again, the maxi reigns supreme in the style stakes. This throw-on-and-go wonder takes all of the stress out of outfit planning in the morning, and what other piece can transition seamlessly from desk to dinner without the need for an iron?
Style Notes: We had an inkling when silver trousers started popping up on some of fashion’s best dressed that metallics would be working their way into our wardrobes again, and we weren’t wrong. ARKET’s gold ballet pumps sold out almost immediately, Diesel’s metallic shoulder bag has its own cult following, and mixed metals was the latest jewellery trend to take over the summer. And so begins the autumn of molten metal. The head-to-toe look might not be one for the faint-hearted, but the easiest way to integrate the trend into your look is with shiny, new accessories. Think: white tee, blue jeans and Terry De Havilland’s killer cowboy boots. Race you to the checkout.
Style Notes: Whilst some designers opted to explore dark romance this season (with gothic lace, deep jewel tones and ruffled silhouettes), others took on a tougher crowd. If leather, fishnets and heavy-duty hardware are your thing, next season is speaking your language. Part biker, part punk and with a generous amount of skin on show, this is the elevated take on haphazard rock ‘n’ roll. Expect to see leather jackets, tights and bodysuits making a comeback over the next few months (thank you, Nensi Dojaka), and if the Simkhai show has taught us anything, it’s that we should never write off the mini skirt.
