Autumn is here, and whilst it is without a doubt my favourite time of the year it is also one of the trickiest to dress for. It’s chilly and dark in the morning but by lunchtime it can be gloriously warm. The question of “can I bare my legs/arms today?” is asked every morning and you can always tell who left the house earliest by the thickness of their coats. The fashion at this time of year is at its best, cosy knits, boots and jackets galore but dressing for this weather can be a little trickier. I usually get far too over excited by the heavy knitwear and go full force into winter dressing, never really answering the “what should I wear” question each morning. This year I’m re-evaluating, treating autumn more as an individual season and but still being mindful of making sure I can get my cost per wear down. 

This season I have three main priorities; comfort, cosines and versatility. First and foremost I want to be comfortable and warm, as someone who is constantly cold I need to accept that I’m never going to want to actually wear the thin blouses, sleeveless tops and short skirts the second the weather turns. Instead I need items that actually keep me warm and comfortable at work, on my commute and on the weekends. It also means I will actually get that cost per wear down! Versatility is also key for me this season, I want things I can wear in different ways with different outfits, items that are office appropriate but also great for weekends and evenings with friends and things that will also see me through into the colder end of autumn and beginning of winter when layered and worn slightly differently. With these things in mind here are the items I’m filling my wardrobe with this season.

Jumpsuits

Jumpsuits are usually something I reserve for the summer but their often lightweight fabrics can make them perfect for this awkward time even when they have sleeves. The Coast Havana Jumpsuit is a perfect example of this, the long trousers and sleeves mean that I’m covered and won’t be too cold on those chilly mornings but the light fabric means that come the afternoon I won’t be too warm. They’re also so much more versatile than they first seem, dress down with trainers and up with heels, throw on a leather jacket or coat for those cooler evenings and when the weather gets much colder a black roll neck jumper (and maybe even a pair of leggings) underneath will keep me warm but also ensure I get more wear out of this. The Havana jumpsuit is a classic design in an easy-to-wear colour so I know I will be able to bring it out season after season. This one also ticks all the comfort boxes, with an elasticated waistband, pockets and ingenious buttons which mean you can actually get in and out of this on your own without having to befriend someone in the ladies whenever you need to go to the toilet! The rose gold details give a more luxe look and pair beautifully with the silky nature of the material meaning you always look like you’ve put in that little extra touch of effort. 

Knitwear

Of course knitwear features, of course it does! It’s a staple for anyone as the weather changes but how I’m shopping for my knitwear is slightly different this year. Instead of bulk buying every roll-neck jumper in sight I’m planning the colours that I’ll get the most wear out of more carefully and trying, where I can afford to, to buy slightly better quality so they last me well beyond the spring. More trennd based knitwear is something I rarely wear the following year so I’m options for more classic styles instead. Ensuring that I can later camis underneath the thinner items so I can wear them for longer and that the chunkier pieces can still fit under jackets, blazers and with other smarter items for the office. Cashmere is an investment and it isn’t something that everyone can (or wants to) invest in and that’s totally fine, but if you do want to then it’s a great way to spend your money on something that you’ll wear throughout the season and providing you look after it properly then it can last you for years. My M&S black roll neck was worn several times a week last year and I have no doubt that it will be again this year. It fits true to size but you can still comfortably fit a thin thermal or vest underneath for added warmth. 

Thermals

Ok, thermals are not sexy but boy are they an essential if you feel the cold. They can be the difference between freezing your butt off at the station and actually getting to work without shivering all the way. They’re also cosy by default, comfortable and help to make the rest of your autumn wardrobe so much more versatile. The Uniqlo heat tech are brilliant for this time of year as they add that extra layer of warmth, are thin enough to go under most items and come in so many colours that they work with a variety of items. Come the winter they also have their Heat Tech super which steps up that level of warmth a little bit more so you’re good until spring! In terms of legs the Primark super cosy tights are always my go-to. Perfect under jeans and dresses to keep you warm but also available in leggings so if you prefer to wear trousers that doing go into boots or still need to wear heels to work you don’t need to freeze as the temperature drops. The colour range isn’t as extensive here, Black is my go to, but I never find this to be too much of a problem. Investing in some good quality thermals also means you’re able to get so much more out of your wardrobe through some simple layering as the temperature drops further. 

Boots

I adore boots, they are hands down my favourite type of footwear but every autumn I just go a little crazy and end up purchasing boots that maybe I can’t get the wear out of. Either the quality isn’t great, the patterns are something that aren’t that easy to wear with my whole wardrobe or they’re just outright uncomfortable. So in the interest of getting more wear out of boots that are already broken in and also being a more conscious consumer this year I’m going to spend some of my usual boot money on re-heeling and re-soleing my boots from last year. I’m then only going to buy boots that are comfortable, that I can walk to the station in and that will actually keep my feet warm. Next on the list? A pair of comfortable and classic black Chelsea boots! 

When the shops all launch their new collections it can be hard to resist the pull of the new gorgeous things but in an attempt to streamline my wardrobe, be a more conscious shopper and be more considered in my purchases I’ve given a lot more thought to my purchases this season, trying to find the balance between enjoying the new season and treating myself whilst making more mindful purchases. 

The Coast Havana Jumpsuit was kindly gifted to me.