STYLE STAPLES TO INVEST IN THIS AUTUMN

Autumn came around quickly this year, I feel like we went from scorching summer days to rain, which admittedly took me a little by surprise. So I swapped out my wardrobe a little earlier than usual, storing away my summer clothes into a bag inside my bed (I have one of those lift up beds - a lit coffre in French), to make way for colder weather items. This is something I do every quarter - I refresh and de-clutter my wardrobe as I like to have a sense of which pieces I have in there. In a way I Marie Kondo my clothes four times a year, firstly to make space for colder weather clothes, ascertain which items as Kondo suggests - bring me joy - to know most importantly what I don’t need, what I do need and so I don’t make any unnecessary or duplicate purchases. This has indeed happened on more than one occasion - I am guilty of buying an almost exact copy of an item I already have because I didn’t know or had forgotten that it was lurking in some dark corner of my wardrobe, probably buried under a pile of other such items in different colours! Has this ever happened to you?

And so this leads me nicely to my selection of pieces that will not only prep you for the new season, but also have you looking and feeling great as the leaves turn browner and more sparse, and the air gets crisper.

THE HIGH BOOT

I discovered the merits of the high boot a couple of winters ago. Not only do they look great with a skirt – mini, midi or full-length (think AW19 Celine) - but they also keep your legs warm! And as someone who suffers from the cold, this is a huge added bonus. I do of course love a suede pair, but let’s be practical – in Paris it rains a lot in autumn and I hate investing in shoes only to ruin them a few weeks later. But if you do live somewhere dryer – a suede boot is incredibly stylish. I already have a pair of black leather high boots, so have my eye on this brown taupe style, which will go with almost everything!

THE WOOL WRAP COAT

If you invest in one coat this autumn/winter, make it a wool wrap coat. They are one of the most versatile coats in fashion, as they look just as good with jeans and sneakers as they do over a dress and heels in the evening. This grey checked Jary Coat is one of the best I’ve found and especially love the large pockets.

THE TEDDY COAT

An update on the fake-fur coat, the Teddy coat is even cosier. It’s an item that I’ve been donning the last few years as it’s just so versatile. I’ve styled it in the photos below over the Solal cream knit and Martin tailored trousers and with a mini skirt and heels, but it’s also my favourite style to wear on the weekend with jeans when running errands around Paris.

THE MINI SKIRT

If you’ve got a good pair of pins, show them off in winter! I love this grown-up grunge (key trend for AW19) plaid style (see photos below) team it with a pair of black opaque tights so you don’t catch too many chills and then a pair of high boots during the day and heels at night.

THE SHIRT JACKET

This is another new style for autumn, but again one that will transcend trends and have longeivity. This is fast-becoming my go-to cover-up for the weekend when worn with jeans, a white tee (and a knit, when it’s nippier outside) and sneakers.

THE TAILORED TROUSER

Swap your trusty pair of jeans for a tailored trouser for autumn. Keep the outfit casual with a pair of sneakers or elevate with heeled boots for work or lunch on the weekend.

THE HEELED PUMP

Transitioning from summer to autumn in the footwear department is tough, especially if you want to switch up your boots for something on the sexier side in the evening. I’d suggest a velvet pump as it will dress up a pair of jeans, you can wear them with or without tights and they will instantly elevate an outfit. Failing that a suede block-heeled pump will also have the same affect.

THE CREAM KNIT

This is your go-to, go-with-everything knit. If you invest in one cosy cover up this autumn, make it neutral. You can also go tonal and wear with white or ecru jeans and layer the cream teddy coat over the top.

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Photos by Natalie Riachi and Roxanne Matiz, edited by Marissa Cox.

Created in collaboration with Sézane.