What to wear this autumn, part 1

Autumn is the season my wardrobe finally makes sense - all layers, boots and the kind of classics that look smarter than the effort required.

Autumn has always been my favourite season to dress for. Summer has its floaty dresses and winter has its woolly armour, but autumn - autumn is the wardrobe season of my dreams. It’s the time when layers come out to play, boots stride back onto the scene and preppy tailoring makes me feel like an extra in Gilmore Girls.

Although it’s been quite a while since I was at university, I still feel a flicker of nostalgia around this time of the year. There’s something about the crispier air, the return of blazers and cord skirts, and that inexplicable urge to browse the stationery aisle, that makes me think of fresh starts and new routines. Every early autumn I catch myself dressing as if I’m about to dash across campus with a pile of books under one arm and a coffee in the other.

This year, my autumn wardrobe is all about preppy classics, but in a way that feels wearable, comfortable and grown-up. These are the pieces I can throw on for village errands, coffee dates or just working from home. Here’s part one of what I’ll be wearing this season…

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smart casual with a twist
I love this one for those not-too-hot, not-too-cold September days. A short-sleeve knit in a warm caramel shade paired with an a-line denim skirt keeps it relaxed but smart. Add necklace, pair of simple earrings, slim belt for definition and leopard-print flats - they instantly make the outfit feel playful- and you are ready for anything. And the structured brown bag is the grown-up cherry on top!

tweed & corduroy
If autumn had a uniform, this might be it. A ruffled blouse tucked into a tan corduroy skirt, topped with a heritage-style tweed blazer. Loafers keep it classic and the textured tote bag adds some contrast without overwhelming the look. This feels like something I would’ve have loved to wear in my uni library days!

soft neutrals for evenings
This is a slightly dressier option - a slinky satin midi skirt (the cut is flattering and the fabric is thick and stretchy, so it’s secretly very comfortable) with a relaxed oatmeal knit, finished with neutral flats. I love the mix of textures here: the sheen of the skirt against the fluff of the jumper makes it feel both polished and easy. The little woven flower bag adds whimsy and texture, keeping the whole look grounded in autumn. Simple pair of earrings and necklace are all it needs to finish.

checks & boots weather
This outfit is what I’ll wear when the mornings start crisp but the afternoons still carry a bit of warmth. This soft grey cardigan is my hardest working piece in my wardrobe - I also have it in old rose, vintage blue, camel and oatmeal, and they’re all in constant rotation. The button-front cord skirt is new addition, as is the long plaid coat that makes you feel instantly put-together the moment you throw it on. The tall dark brown polished leather boots are a true classic - I missed out on them last winter, so I snapped them up as soon as they restocked a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t be happier. Altogether it’s the kind of look that works for a walk into town but feels smart enough for dinner out too

preppy layers
This outfit feels like the definition of autumn chic - a striped shirt layered under a soft beige knit, tucked into a preppy denim A-line skirt. The boots give the outfit polish, the suede tote keeps it relaxed - and it’s big enough to carry everything from notebooks to a bag of apples from the farm shop.

Autumn has always been the season where clothes feel most like a pleasure rather than a puzzle. Maybe it’s the layers, maybe it’s the boots, maybe it’s just that faint back-to-school feeling that never quite leaves me - either way, September always brings with it a sense of new beginnings, and getting dressed becomes fun again.

You can find all the links from this post in one place here.

Part two will be coming soon with more outfits I’ve been planning (and wearing), but until then I’d love to know: what’s the one piece you can’t wait to pull out when autumn finally arrives? A favourite jumper? The boots you live in? Or maybe, like me, a cardigan you’ve bought in five different colours because one simply isn’t enough!

Ps. Thank you for reading and being here - I’m really happy you are!