Autumn Most Worn Items 2020

I’ve mentioned my love of wardrobe analysis, so it’s little surprise that some of my favourite posts to reflect on would be those focused on my most worn items. Especially given I regularly espouse the virtues of a close full of basics. Plus, when I look at the numbers, it’s a reminder of that age old cliche; that we typically wear 20% of our closets, 80% of the time.

Like my summer round up, I’ve decided to condense this to my five most worn items of autumn. What sticks out to me is that there’s always a common thread. It’s almost always the same silhouettes, and the same types of statement pieces which I seem to reach for on repeat. What can I say? Clearly I’m a creature of habit…

AUTUMN MOST WORN

Everlane 40 hour flats | I knew the moment I received these shoes (gifted), that they would end up on regular rotation. Pointed toe flats are a pretty big style staple for me. They’re a classic, they seem to go with everything, plus they make your legs look longer than they really are. 

I have this style in both the nude and the black, and wore them pretty interchangeably. In terms of sizing, I went up a half size (in Everlane shoes) to a US10, and found these were the perfect fit for my wide feet. The leather is incredibly supple, and softens further with wear. Initially I did get a blister at the heel the first few times I wore the nude pair. Now, they’re akin to wearing slippers. The squared off (yet pointed) toe is something I also appreciate. Subtle details like this can make a world of difference. This has the bonus of making them slightly more difficult to scuff. Win, win.

---

Isabel Marant roan ruffled mini skirt | There’s this rule I usually try and stick to when it comes to items in my wardrobe. No duplicates. It’s probably not hard to understand why. The follow up purchase in a different colour usually ends up becoming a sunk cost, hanging in the back of the closet, tags sometimes still attached. An exception had to be made for this skirt… and the ecru version seemed like a no-brainer to bolster my growing stash of neutrals. Not only has it been a joy to wear, but it’s currently up there as one of my favourite purchases of the year. 

The navy one in particular got a lot of love over autumn. The cotton drill fabric has a utilitarian quality, further amplified by the thick corded canvas belt. It’s an easy to care for piece (just throw in the wash), and the ruffled tulip-shaped hemline is immensely flattering. Not only that, it’s versatile enough to be worn through winter too. Just add tights. I got this in the FR36 (equivalent of an AU8) and would say if you’re in between sizes, opt for the smaller of the two. The belt gives you a lot of flexibility, and also makes this a great choice if you’re having a particularly indulgent day.

---

Linjer ‘lana’ bag | Because of lockdown, I’ve found that when I do leave the home, it’s usually in shorter bursts. Often, not longer than an hour or so. And during that time, I really noticed a need to have a smaller bag on my person. One with all the essentials within easy reach. The Lana bag from Linjer has done just that for me. It’s compact and not at all cumbersome, and the pebbled leather has a soft quality to it which sits nicely against the body. Wear and tear has been minimal, despite be reaching for it practically daily. There aren’t any scuffs to the leather, and the interior is mark-free. The only change I’ve noticed is that the leather has started to soften a little, which is slightly evident at the sides, but overall, it’s a subtle difference. If you’d like to see what fits inside, I’ve done a comprehensive review HERE.

---

Uniqlo black cotton/cashmere ribbed cardigan | The meteoric rise of the classic cardigan as a trend the past couple of seasons has had me feeling like my wardrobe has come full circle (for the umpteenth time). Back when we lived in Wellington, I had a few cardigans; fine knits, and chunkier options, which I’d wear interchangeably thrown over one of my Karen Walker dresses. 

I’ve since added a few cardigans to my closet, in varying colours and styles, but this one from Uniqlo just so happened to be the one I wore the most in autumn. It’s a cotton-cashmere mix so has a lovely hand-feel to it, and I appreciate how easy it is to launder. I’ve been wearing this mostly worn over a cami, buttoned up, and tucked into a skirt or jeans. A good style to go for if you’re nursing, like me, too. I sized up to get more of a slouchy fit, and wear this cardigan in a size medium.

---

Everlane authentic stretch high rise skinny jeans | My final most worn item of autumn were these skinny jeans from Everlane. No matter how hard I try to incorporate other denim styles into my closet, I always come back to my beloved skinnies. To me, they represent a core part of my style identity. In past “most worn” round ups, you’d expect me to mention my Dr Denims, but they’re currently hibernating as they’re still a little snug post-pregnancy.

I’ll admit, I got off on the wrong foot with the authentic stretch style when it first launched. That particular wash had an unusual texture, and didn’t come with the “stretch” and comfort I’d anticipated. I’m all for second (and third, fourth… ) chances, and boy am I glad. It’s like comparing apples and oranges.

The denim is soft, stretchy, and feels a little like wearing a slightly thicker pair of leggings. With a button fly, of course. I haven’t noticed these bagging out at the knees at all, and the ankle length is just perfect on me. I ended up getting these in the white too, which have superseded my Levi’s as my go-to pair of white skinnies. I wear these in a size 26.