The only dress you need this Winter

The knitted dress returns

It’s been a while since the jumper dress has been fashionable, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been fashionable as I have been wearing mine for years, it just means it’s been hard to find any good ones to buy every Autumn. But this year it’s the only dress you will need this season. It’s cosy and warm and wraps you up which let’s face it is just how we want to feel right now. Knitwear is the best part of Autumn dressing so why not make it your whole outfit and embrace the knitted dress.

To some the knitted dress is unforgiving against their body shape, makes you hotter than a hot water bottle and just looks itchy. With an abundance of choices out there, all these excuses to not buy a jumper dress can be dismissed. Ribbed fabrics are being used, flattering lengths, different necklines and also detailing such as open backs and self belts. Most importantly they are cosy, especially now we are home more, comfort is important, this dress will see you through your lockdown days. This will be the most useful piece you buy given our current paired down lifestyles right now. Just pair it with chunky boots or trainers and you will be suitable for any occasion in the coming months.

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Best jumper dresses online

1. Ribbed midi dress, Mango, £49.99

2. Relaxed belted turtleneck midi dress, &other stories, £85

3. Rib knit dress, H&M, £39.99

4. Rib knit dress, H&M, £29.99

5. High knit wool dress, Arket, £89

6. Camel longline wool knit dress, £139

7. Oversized long knit dress, Monki, £40

8. Oat funnel neck knitted jumper dress, Topshop, £45.99

9. Polo collar knit dress, Zara, £49.99

Jumper LOVER

There's nothing quite like a new jumper to make you feel autumn-ready. Cosy, stylish and practical, jumpers tick so many boxes when it comes to versatility, and now is the perfect time to invest in some updated pieces.

After all, what else can instantly transform floaty midi dresses and printed skirts into seasonally appropriate attire? Or can instantly update your jeans and trainers combination? Knitwear has sartorial superpowers that shouldn't be overlooked, which is why now the weather is getting colder it’s time to start thinking about what knitwear will see you through this Autumn Winter.

These past couple of weeks has been Autumn shopping madness for clients wanted to update their style for the new season so I have been shopping knitwear for a while now. I want to bring to you some fab pieces I have seen online that are great investment pieces aswell as upping your style game.

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KNITWEAR TO BUY NOW

1. Mohair & wool leopard print cardigan, Zara, £79.99

2. Green Tiger stripe printed jumper, Whistles, £66.75 (currently with 25% offer)

3. Rainbow stripe jumper, Hush, £139

4. Embellished wool sweater, &other stories, £95

5. Diagonal wool cable jumper, Topshop, £35.00

6. Pink cable sweater, John Lewis & Partners, £63.20 (on promotion)

What to wear right now

September is a tricky month to dress for, with its ‘hot one minute, cool the next’ weather; you leave the house in the morning wearing multiple layers, only to come back home with most of them stuffed in your handbag. The trick is to wear pieces that straddle the seasons, hitting that sweet spot between keeping you warm while being breathable and cooling too – and all the while looking super stylish. In other words, the holy grail of autumn fashion.
An oversized cardigan can be thrown over a long-sleeved floral dress , while a timeless double-breasted blazer in camel corduroy makes for a versatile lightweight jacket and faux leather becomes your new best friend. As it’s still warm enough to forgo socks, now is the time to wear your slip-on shoes – pair with a satin skirt and a white tee. Finally, there’s the boilersuit – a wardrobe essential that gives your wardrobe a style boost this September.

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Re-spin your style with these key pieces which will go on to becoming the cornerstone of your Autumn style -

1. Boilersuit / Cargo jumpsuit

   A jumpsuit is a wardrobe staple and can be worn all year round, layering a polo neck underneath or a fur jacket over the top. At this time of year the weather is just perfect to give it it’s own pedestal and chuck on a pair of trainers.

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2.Leather culottes & trousers

Whether vintage, vegan, faux or the real thing, leather bottoms are an instant hit this Autumn. I have a pair of leather leggings that I have had for a number of years and also a pair of faux leather culottes that I am currently living in. This time of year they are great to wear with no tights, layering top layers such as blazers, or chunky cardigans or even a sparkly jacket.

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3.Over-sized blazers

I love blazers and a new addition to my wardrobe is top of my AW list at the moment. There are alot of checks around , mensy styling and also double breasted. Wearing one over your dress, jumpsuit or with a pleated skirt will update your styling and keep that cold chill at bay in the mornings.

Multicolour check blazer, Whistles, £151.20 (currently 20% off)

Astrid puppytooth blazer, All Saints, £258.00

Wool oversized blazer, &other stories, £159

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4.Skirts

Skirts have been a big staple of mine all Summer so no doubt I will continue to wear them through the Autumn but I need to update my style as I am getting bored of t-shirts and skirts. This is fine when I sling a blazer over the top, but now I want to add printed blouses, shirts, sweatshirts and soon knitwear tucked into my skirts. Just in time for the hiking boots too.

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5.The chunky bright cardigan

Alot of my clients will tell you that I do NOT like a cardigan. I much prefer a jacket as a more sophisticated, versatile piece in your wardrobe. If you own a cardigan it’s normally a frumpy, lazy way of keeping warm, I like to educate clients on other ways to layer up in the Winter. But this season I am lusting after chunky, statement, coloured cardigans - with emphasis on the statement. The cardigan needs to bring something new to wardrobe and wearing it with dresses and skirts is how you bring freshness to wardrobe.

Wool blend puff shoulder cardi, &other stories, £75.00

Yellow cable knit cardi, River Island, £42.00

Blue soft feel cardi, Zara, £25.99

Disco jumper fever!

Sequins, embellishment, embroidery and glitter - anything that sparkles and shines on your jumpers should be your mid-season purchase.

At this time of year, I usually spend most of my day scrolling relentlessly through every party dress the high street has to offer. Granted, it is part of my job to find clients the perfect dress, top, skirt or outfit combo for their Christmas social occasions coming up. But from the beginning of the Autumn I feel there has been a shift into the day-to-evening jumper and just about everyone has one to offer. 

The knits I’ve been coveting in place of dresses are a whole lot more decadent than your run of the mill chunky cable knits. In fact, I’ve christened them "disco jumpers" because they look like they’re made for just that – dancing the night away. In both comfort and style, I might add. And when Gucci starts a trend luckily it gets embraced wholeheartedly by the high street and now, the Gucci pipe dream has been replaced by the entirely more feasible likes of Topshop, Uterqüe and &other stories.

The reason I love these jumpers so much is that you can put them on with jeans or a pleated midi skirt for a jazzy daytime outfit that also works for drinks in the evening. A stylish but also comfortable outfit will be music to your ears! So now your jeans and jumper combo will look anything but basic.

Let the shopping commence....

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1. Ruffles tricoloured sweater, £78.00, Uterque

2. Renata stripe jumper, £70.00, Boden

3. Graduated roll neck jumper, £36.00, Topshop

4. Sweater with coloured sequins, £39.99, Zara

5. Fashion sparkle jumper, £285.00, Bella Freud