As much as I love summer, I won’t say that I haven’t felt some relief from the stifling heat, now that autumn has finally start to set in, in Sydney. I spend a good hour and a half just walking to and from work each day, so I can’t deny that I look forward to avoiding the internal debate over the struggle of finding an outfit that is not only work-appropriate, but can also withstand the humidity of my morning commute. As you all know, my wardrobe is pretty heavily based around the basics; classic styles that always end up being wardrobe workhorses that I reach for year after year. So, today, I wanted to share seven autumn wardrobe essentials that are deserving of a spot in your new season wardrobe (if they aren’t already!).
Wearing Grana silk cami (10% off with JAMIExGRANA), Grana skinny jeans (I also love this style), Karen Walker trench (old but this is gorgeous), Boden suede heels, Linjer leather tote bag (love this one too), Linjer watch, SOKO earrings
I’ve talked a bit about my autumn wardrobe plans here, but for me this primarily means a couple of things; reaching into my denim drawer a little more frequently, and layering up my outfit with a lightweight jacket, like the trench I’m wearing above.
A classic trench
A trench coat is one of those staple items that pops up on pretty much every wardrobe essentials list, and with good reason. Not only are they practical (assuming they’re made of a water-resistant cotton canvas), but they’re lightweight, classic in style, and seem to go with just about every outfit. I have a few stashed away in my wardrobe, including this beige one from Everlane, and a heavy weight navy wool option from Stella McCartney, though the newest trench coat addition in my wardrobe is the Karen Walker trench I’m wearing above, that I snapped up on eBay. A lot of it is all in the details, but I find that these are the perfect layering piece, and my first pick when the weather starts to cool down.
Boots that are made for walking
I’ve made it no secret that a sturdy boot is a must-have in my autumn wardrobe, and there’s only one requirement: they have to be comfortable. I’ve got a few pairs that I’ll be wearing on rotation this autumn; this black buckled pair from Jo Mercer, the boss boot from Everlane, and this beige suede version, which are a dead ringer for the Acne Studios jensen boots. My wardrobe is so heavily focused on neutrals, but a bolder choice like a red boot can really take an outfit to the next level.
An ‘it’ bag that makes a statement
When it came to investing in my wardrobe, one of the first places I started was with an ‘it’ bag. This is one of those pieces which helps to finish off your outfit, and if you choose wisely, then you can end up with a bag that you will be wearing for years. I tend to prefer more classic styles, like Chanel’s boy bag, or my saddle bag from Celine (more affordable version here), but there’s no denying that the marmont styles from Gucci are stunning, and I love how a Givenchy antigona bag can elevate and add a bit more structure to an outfit.
A leather biker or shearling jacket
Second only to a good trench coat, is a leather or shearling biker jacket. These are classics for a reason; they’re timeless and never seem to date, and are another one of those wardrobe staples which seem to go with absolutely everything. Personally, I prefer a cropped biker jacket, just as I think this is the perfect complement when paired with anything high waisted. A shearling jacket is also a great option, as it adds in a little more texture, and it’s the ideal piece to transition your autumn wardrobe into winter.
Structured blazer that will take you from day to night
At the same time that I was investing in an ‘it’ bag, I was also splurging on my first contemporary designer blazer. I went for something that was structured in the shoulder, with a loose fit through the body, and an angular hem line. That was seven years ago now, and it’s still yet to date; it makes a suit and trouser combo look flawless, and elevates any denim look. The key is finding something that fits you perfectly, whether that’s something slim cut, boxy, longline or cropped. Personally, I prefer something that fits relatively close to the body, and cuts off at the hip – it’s the perfect pairing with boyfriend jeans or a slim leg trouser, and looks equally chic with a denim mini or a fitted dress.
Denim you’ll want to wear every day
I wasn’t kidding when I said I wanted to make denim a focus of my autumn wardrobe; it’s one of those wardrobe essentials I’ve seen myself reaching for more and more as the weather has cooled down, and I think that there are so many ways to style a pair of jeans to make them work for pretty much every occasion. I probably feel most comfortable in a skinny jean (this pair has been on my radar for a while…), but it’s also worth having something that is a little looser in the leg, like a boyfriend jean (I love these), or a straight leg jean (these are on my list) too.
An oversized sweater that works with everything in your closet
The final piece worth investing in for your autumn wardrobe is an oversized sweater that will go with e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g in your closet. I took advantage of the sales earlier this year to snap up an ivory rollneck wool jumper from Joseph, which I can already see is going to become a workhorse over the colder months, and I recently added this grey oversized cable knit sweater to my wardrobe, which has a little more structure and looks great worn loose with denim mini skirts.
How are you planning to update your wardrobe for autumn?
Loooove this outfit! All the shades of blue are perfection! And I love the shape of the shoes! Very elongating.