Five things you need in your closet before Autumn arrives

The final countdown for autumn is finally on, though with Sydney’s continued heat waves dragging on, you probably wouldn’t know it. But ever the optimist at heart, I’ve found myself adding to my autumn wardrobe the past couple of months. Aside from replacing my old Acne Studios leather jacket, and adding a few more chunky knit sweaters to the mix, I’d say I’m pretty much sorted for when that cold front finally comes through. Mostly, I’ll be relying on some of the heavier pieces from my summer wardrobe to transition me through – think cotton midi skirts, or anything with a sleeve – thrown in with a few of my core autumn essentials. So, I thought it might be fun to share five of the wardrobe staples that I know I’ll be reaching for first, as soon as autumn arrives…

The cashmere sweater >> For me, the benchmark for any cashmere sweater is Everlane; my crew neck cashmere knit has been going strong for three years now, making it one of the best wardrobe investments that I’ve made. I prefer to rely on cashmere over merino as I find that it’s softer, warmer, and I love that feeling of luxury that you get from wearing it, even if it is just an oversized slouchy sweater. If fitted crew necks aren’t quite your jam, J Crew’s boyfriend v-neck version has lazy weekends written all over it, and Vince seems to have nailed that relaxed fit.

The leather skirt >> After eight months of searching, I finally managed to get my hands on a simple a-line leather skirt from now-defunct Aussie label, Willow. This is one of those pieces that forms the base of an outfit, and I love that I can either style it up, or down, depending on the kind of look I’m trying to achieve. While I can’t find the original leather skirt I snapped up online anywhere, this luxe version sums it up pretty well, and I think that this more mini option is also a great alternative.

The scarf >> A lambswool scarf from Acne Studios was one of the first things that I really splurged on when I first moved to Sydney, and like my Everlane cashmere sweater, it’s one of those pieces that I reach for without fail, whenever the weather starts to cool down. It’s a little bit of a splurge, but I’ve found that it’s been a worthwhile addition to my closet and also a purchase that has really seemed to last the test of time. While I went for the dark grey, I think the marshmallow pink version is a great option if you want to throw in a nod to the pink trend (without going to OTT), and the camel version is a great neutral which can help to break things up a little.

Woollen (or cashmere) gloves >> I’ve been without gloves for a year now, so it’s pretty safe to say that they’re sitting pretty high on my shopping list at the moment (I’ve had my eye on this pair). I used to own a pair of quite tatty looking fingerless gloves, but since they are one of the finishing touches on a autumn/winter outfit, I do think it’s worth splurging a little, if only to keep your hands warm. If you prefer to shy away from black or grey, I love this soft beige pair, or else this deep plum pair would be gorgeous paired with gem tones once the temperatures drop.

The ankle boot >> If there’s one thing I’ve come to rely on as soon as there’s any hint of a chill in the air, it’s my trusty Acne Studios ‘jensen’ boots. These look great with just about everything – from trousers, to skirts, dresses, jeans and shorts – and over the last couple years, have been pretty well loved. I’ve been eying off a replacement pair, as I love the smooth leather version and the creasing across the toe as they get worn in, and I also think that this more affordable option in suede (also here in black leather) is a great alternative if you aren’t ready to invest just yet.

What are your autumn wardrobe essentials?