While we love nothing more than unearthing a new microtrend or patiently waiting to see the fresh looks our favourite designers have in store for us at the start of each new season, you don’t necessarily want to build your wardrobe based on the trends that disappear as quickly as they arrived. Instead, it’s about striking the perfect balance of integrating timely pieces, such as an of-the-moment colour or print, with more everlasting staples that you’ll love and wear for years to come. This is the key to ensuring your outfits always hit the mark.
So, as we gleefully talk about the trends set to define the season ahead (of which there are plenty of impressive ones), we need to do so with a measured approach by considering the classic autumn fashion items you can wear with them.
We can’t stress enough the importance of assembling an edit of classic autumn fashion items, for these pieces will practically guarantee that every ensemble you wear for the next six months will be stylish and timeless. Our editors put their heads together to come up with the ultimate autumn capsule for you, and we’ve concluded that 11 items absolutely need to make the cut.
Chances are, you’ll already find a host of these pieces hanging on your rail or lining your drawers, which is excellent news, as you needn’t start your capsule from scratch, and you’ll be able to hit the ground running when autumn rolls around. Scroll on to see the 11 classic autumn fashion items our editors consider to be immortal.
Style Notes: Trench coats are the perfect autumnal cover-up as they’ll provide you with just the right amount of protection from the elements, without making you feel too hot during the typically changeable autumn weather. Plus, they’re just so chic.Â
Style Notes: Knitwear and autumn, naturally, go hand-in-hand, though the most stylish way to wear it—particularly at the start of the season—is in dress form. Wear yours with a pair of knee-high boots and a leather clutch bag for an elevated take.Â
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Style Notes: Wide-leg, loose-fit denim is still trending for autumn, but if you’re b]looking for blues that’ll never date, we still advise investing in a pair of straight-leg jeans in a classic, could-be-vintage colour way.Â
Style Notes: Over the past few seasons, flannel shirts have been adopted by fashion types once more to become the ultimate top choice of autumn. While they work seamlessly with the straight-leg jeans mentioned above, we love Monikh’s unconventional slip skirt styling.Â
Style Notes: Chunky track-sole boots might be considered “trendy” but practical, any terrain boots are perhaps the most important classic autumn fashion item you can invest in.Â
Style Notes: Cardigans are an essential layering piece for the colder months, but while temperatures are still somewhat palatable, wear v-neck cardigans sans anything underneath for a cool top alternative.Â
Style Notes: Autumn is the ideal time to start reintegrating heavy textures, such as faux and real leather, back into your outfit rotation. Trousers are always a good idea, as are midi skirts.Â
Style Notes: For the months that it’s still too warm for a full-on winter coat, the woollen, heavy-duty blazer provides the solution. The fabric will keep you warm when there’s a chill in the air, but the cropped length will stop your autumnal outfits from feeling too wintry.Â
Style Notes: We’re not fussy—your autumn wares will benefit from any type of loafer—but if you want a  more directional option, look for loafers with stacked platform soles.Â
Style Notes: 2021 is undoubtedly the year of the trouser, and designers have chosen to carry wide-leg tailored styles through to their autumn collections. Don’t be afraid to be experimental with your colour selection, too, as the sleek silhouette will ensure your choice always looks expensive and classic.Â
Style Notes: Another layering must-have, it pays to have a roll-neck or two at your disposal from the get-go. Wear them on their own now, then layered under cardigans and knitted vests when the degrees start to plummet.Â
