Ahh, the autumn leaves have started to fall in the Wellington region.
Over the last week, the temperature has dropped, leaving me to don my flannel PJs, stop fretting about Matt sweating all through the night and to begin to work out my wardrobe. Now Easter is done, the seasons have officially changed.
Autumn is the time of year to update your wardrobe, clearing out all the things that you can’t wear when the weather gets colder, and replace them with new and beautiful pieces. You don’t need to break the bank, however, to do this. Sometimes buying a few well thought through pieces, shopping second hand, and adding a couple of considered accessories can re-make your closet like new.
My style icons are varied but include Violette, Lily Pebbles, Jessie Bush from We The People and Lucy Williams. These luxe-girls consistently look chic and casual but also are likely to throw in something just a little bit unexpected. Just because you like someone else’s style, and consider it a bit different, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t experiment!
Here’s what I have my eye on for the grey days ahead…
1. The Long Check Coat/Blazer
It seems everyone is all about the long oversized coat this season, particularly with a checkered 90’s pattern. Getting an oversized coat is a great idea as you can layer heavy jumpers underneath and still be able to raise your arms to reach up and hug your gal pal. I’ve seen a few around town, including this one from Country Road. I also like an oversized neutral colour, as it will go with everything and won’t date as easily. Check out some of my picks for this season at different price points below...
2. The Chunky Knit
Can I have a Hallelujah for the chunky knit? While always a great Winter staple, I feel like jumpers are fully getting the appreciation they deserve these days, as popularised by bloggers Zoella, Kristabel, Estee Lalonde and Lily Pebbles. A thick jumper always looks chic with a neat pair of jeans and some short boots. There are so many cute styles to choose from, that picking just one or two is likely to be the REAL challenge. Go for a cute slogan in French wherever possible. Have a look at the elegant styles below...
3. The Straight Legged Jean
I have to say a cropped jean may not always be ideal for keeping your ankles warm in Autumn, but they sure look chic! Glassons does a few, but remember you can always head somewhere like Recycle Boutique for second-hand buys that don’t compromise on style. Wrangler also has some neat looks, including these ones below.
4. The Understated Bag
It feels like we’ve reached peak flashy logo and we’re all heading the other way again when it comes to designer goods. A year or two ago it was all about having a wham-bam-thank-you-mam’ logo on your bag or belt. Now, we seem to be going for more understated totes with generous proportions. Personally, I love these ones from some local and international brands (hey, a girl can dream right?)
5. Leopard Print
When I used to think leopard print, I’d think Pasty from Ab Fab. Nowadays, I think The Anna Edit. Leopard print is something that looks hard to pull off, but actually, I’ve found myself more attracted to as a certain kind of quirky addition to any wardrobe. In particular, I have my eye on a very cute pair of kitten heels from Superette. Leopard is a fun way to be on trend without spending a huge amount, as it looks expensive even if you just get a little scarf or pair of socks to add to your current style
6. The Layered Dress
I remember being so inspired back in the day by the way Teen Vogue paired cute tees and trapeze dresses to create a luxe look that was both practical, chic and a little bit eccentric. This season I want to embrace my inner crazy cat lady and go wild with colours and textures. A simple place to start is simply to layer knits, tees and dresses together to re-work a Summer slip. You can go as bold or minimalist as you want. The key is to make it look like you’re making a fashion statement and not like you’ve gone for thermal underwear. Have a look at these versions below...
What Autumn trends are you looking forward to trying?