7 Smart Autumnal Outfits To Try

This post started out as another ‘sort-of-smart-for-work’ post but then I got sucked into all the lovely autumnal colours that are starting to emerge and my mind wandered. So I have kind of broadened it out to be a selection of smarter outfits in all those navy, berry, deep green, rust and grey hues. Some may say they are a bit dull, but I love these autumnal shades creeping in to replace the lighter pinks and blues we wore during the summer.

For those that like something a bit brighter, I think I’ll do another ‘pop of red’ post soon (but will try not to use that term, as it annoys me), as this trend is still with us. See also leopard print. Maybe I’ll combine the two next week with more of a focus on how to wear them when the weather is colder but, for now, something a little more ladylike. A bit demure, a bit mindful. No jeans and no trainers this week at all…

THE NAVY PLEATED SKIRT

I, for one, am very happy that the pleated skirt is in again this year. I bought one early last year and, for some reason, I never got round to wearing it. I knew it would have its moment, though; there’s a reason I didn’t flog it on Vinted. I will team it with a navy blazer and a nice cardi and will steadfastly ignore anyone who says I look like Miss Trunchbull.

THE CORD JACKET

If you don’t want to look like an evil school mistress, how about a nice, safe geography teacher instead? Yes people, corduroy season is almost upon us. It’s one of those little slivers of joy one can take from the weather changing. I shall never tire of corduroy. Pair a cord blazer with smarter trousers and Chelsea boots. John Lewis have brought back my most-worn boots from last year, and now they also come in brown. Did I buy? You know I did. When I find something I like that fits and is comfortable I will almost always re-buy in other colours. It’s a Capricorn thing, apparently.

THE CHUNKY KNIT

I think I featured this jumper in last week’s jeans post too, but that goes to show that it will work with many outfits. It’s so hard to find a good chunky jumper that is slightly cropped so that it doesn’t drown you and make you feel bulkier. If you are looking for a longer style, may I respectfully recommend this COS cashmere knit. It’s not cheap, but the softness and quality is the best I’ve found on the high street. In fact, all their cashmere is good. I still have a navy jumper from COS that I bought in 2009. The moths got to it, unfortunately, but I still wear it around the house.

P.S. I have since conquered the moths by having a really good deep clean of my knitwear drawers, and I use these tucked in between my jumpers. Touch wood, I haven’t had a problem since.

THE BEST WIDE LEG TROUSERS I OWN

Not much of a surprise that they are from COS again. The best wide-leg trousers don’t look that wide here, and they aren’t especially flappy, which is a good thing. They also have elastic tabs on the inside that you can adjust to fit your waist, so if you want a high waist, that’s fine, you can do that, and if you want a lower waist, also fine. I’ve had mine for three years. They do them every autumn and they come in about five colours. They’re meant to be dry cleaned, but I’ve done mine in the machine on a cold wool wash followed by a line dry and they are still as good as new.

THE OVERCOAT

Is it too early to be thinking about coats? Possibly, but it was 14 degrees here in London this week, which to me is almost coat weather. I need to go through my coats soon as I’m sure I can lose a few. I will definitely be keeping my Jigsaw maxi city coat, though; I think it’s one of my best-ever buys. They still do it, but not in the same shade of lighter brown, so I’ve supplemented it here with a similar one from John Lewis, who also do a great range of coats.

ANYTHING SUEDE

As mentioned in the Gucci post a few weeks ago, tan suede is definitely a BIG trend for this season. Expect every high street shop to be doing a suede jacket or coat this year. If you don’t want to go the whole hog, stick with a bag. Bags never go out of fashion. I would have said, ‘unless it’s that one with the giant padlock that Chloe did in the early 2000s’ but I see they’ve brought it back, albeit with a smaller lock. I got a knock-off version because it was so de rigueur back then but, even with a fake bag, the giant padlock was just ridiculous and it was off to the charity shop for that bad boy.

A BIT OF BERRY

Call it burgundy, aubergine, berry, burnished beetroot… whatever, it’s a definite big colour for autumn/winter. It was also the colour of my secondary school jumper, but that’s never particularly put me off. I’m nearly 52, so I think I’ve got over school uniform fear by now.

Next week, I think we’ll do leopard. But then again I’ve had lots of requests for rain jackets and also cardigans, so we may have to have a vote.

Kate x

WearsMyMoney

I spent it all on clothes by the looks of things...