The five must-have autumn looks
Once you have worked out your theme, cleave close unto it
Does that back-toschool feeling ever go away? I hope not, because any excuse to buy a new pencil case for £3.99 and generally get your stationery collection in order is so cathartic.
I say pencil case, but obviously I mean tweed blazer/flamenco skirt/sash-tie trousers. And £3.99 might be slightly out. But let’s keep that little detail between ourselves.
The main thing is that, be it a new ruler or a new Proenza Schouler, the thrill is the same. Sorting your new season look is one of life’s simpler pleasures – and although it inevitably leads to a spot of bulk buying, that’s a good thing. It’s both fiscally more prudent and sartorially more effective to ringfence four to six new purchases that all work together than fritter continuously on bits of unrelated flotsam and jetsam that catch your eye.
It’s helpful to start with a theme – though not the kind beloved of catwalk designers (“Intergalactic Nomad”, “Futuristic Nihilist”, “Medieval Bondage Serf ”). I’m thinking along the lines of “Working Mum in Desperate Need of Pressing Reset”, or “Career Exec Who’s Fallen Down a Deep, Dark Existential Hole of Dragon’s Den Dressing”.
Once you’ve worked out your theme, cleave closely unto it to avoid unholy distractions. My theme, for what it’s worth, is “Fashion Editor in a Panic About the Looming Fashion Month Circus”. Unlikely though it may sound, I think there is a Venn diagram where all the above themes overlap. I offer up my five key suggestions in the firm belief that there’s something here for all of us.
The flattering blazer
Tailoring has genuinely, and finally, made a comeback. On the front row they’ll be working the full trouser suit look. This is not for amateurs, unless you’re actively going for the “Middle Manager in a Halifax Advert” look. Better to pick out a jacket with an interesting texture or a discreet weave or print that can harmoniously mismatch with various trousers and skirts. Mid-hip length is far more versatile and more flattering than mid-thigh. Single-breasted or double are matters for personal preference and vary from jacket to jacket. Test drive to ensure it looks as good done up as undone and that you can move your arms in it. Obvious, but oh so easy to overlook. Also, focus on what to wear underneath, as jackets often languish unworn because their owners omitted to buy slim enough knits and blouses to wear with them.
The floral concession
No one’s twisting your arm here, but just say that you’ve been resolutely holding out against all the floral dress madness (because, how many times do you have to say this, you are not a floral person), only to feel you are missing out because, now you come to look at them, some of those florals are rather lovely. Here is my utterly practical, not too florally, face-saving solution: the floral blouse. Wear it with your goth trousers, your Fifties prom skirt, your Andrea Dworkin dungarees, or whatever else your signature piece happens to be, and I guarantee you lasting (for the entire season at least) happiness.
Sash-tied trousers
I don’t want you to think this is the only trouser option out there. Flares, crops and even skinnies are around, too. But given a single chance to revitalise your existing wardrobe, highwaisted belted trousers are hard to beat. They not only flatter both curvy and straightup-and-down figures, but they also create a new mood. By accentuating the waist and adding a bow, or at least a tie, to proceedings they work almost like a skirt, without the need for tights. Win, win. And they look good with heels or flats, jackets and knits. Go for a jewel colour. You already have 21 pairs in navy and black.
The ruffled skirt
Bear with me on this because it’s not something I – and very possibly you – would normally consider, but that’s the point. We’re trying to break the pattern of repeat-buying. Don’t think of this as girlie and twee, but as dramatic and full-bodied. Treat it as you would jeans, by teaming it with khaki jackets, chunky knits, trainers. And then, at night, go on, unleash your inner Salma Hayek.
The Chelsea boot
I could have gone for one of those pointy Balenciagaesque sock boots, or a toeless one, a metallic silver one, or Victorian bootees with enough shoelace to play cat’s-cradle. All are “relevant”. But as selfappointed head of the “Practical Yet Stylish Boot-finding Task Force”, I unilaterally decided on the ever-classic and in every way perfect Chelsea. Seek out an up-twist: suede, or tractor soul, or contrasting elastic insert. That’s all we need to say on this matter – other than that we all know we’re not going to stop at one item of footwear. So my other suggestion would be the M&S satin slingback, which is a no-brainer and at £29.99 you can always tell yourself they fell into your trolley while you were browsing the
chicken kievs.