Best Autumn pieces on the high street right now

These past few years since I have been working as a personal stylist I have tended to shop smart rather than buy throw away fashion like I did in my younger years when working in fashion buying. It is a mantra that I talk about when speaking to new clients, re-connecting with old ones and one of my tips I try and impart to them. I know if you shop smart and, for the most part, buy the very best quality you can afford, you’ll hit repeat on those pieces for years (and years and years). That’s certainly how I dress. I wear a handful of the same things over and over, updating when I need to.

In this blog I wanted to bring the pieces to you that I have been seeing alot of whilst shopping over these past few weeks that will ensure your wardrobe has staying power. The trick is knowing what you’re looking for: timeless silhouettes, high-quality fabric and flattering cuts. When these three come together, you’ve found a keeper. I like focusing on pieces that have longevity in your wardrobe and mixing them in with the very best seasonal staples and instant transformers.

So here is my top stylish Autumn pieces on the high street right now that you’ll love wearing this winter – then next winter and the one after that too.

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1. The smart coat

I love the fabric of this Herringbone tweed coat from Jigsaw. It’s such a great fit and a great silhouette that it flatters your figure even if you are wearing a chunky knit underneath it.

Single breasted herringbone coat, Jigsaw, £280

2. The perfect parka

I am always on the look out for the perfect parka for clients that are casual in style but not too sporty or not too ‘Mumsy’ looking! This Whistles parka is the perfect khaki colour, the fake fur goes really well and the fully borg lining will keep you warm.

Megan casual Parka, Whistles, John Lewis £189.00

3. Jeans

As many of my clients know I am massive advocate for Levi jeans, they are my go to and have been a winner for all clients I have worked with for 5 years. But I have started to explore some other brands, and the American brands are the better ones for fabric, cut and fit. I especially like at the moment these Madewell high waisted jeans from John Lewis.

High waisted jeans, Madewell, John Lewis £128.00

4. Trousers

For months now trousers are top of the list when it comes to shopping for myself and for clients. Everyone is steering away from everyday jeans and wanting to wear smarter, more comfortable trousers with trainers. I have found the best pairs to be from Me & Em, whether its smart joggers, wide leg trousers or some everyday trousers you can’t go wrong with the fit and quality of this brand.

Grosgrain stripe trousers, ME & EM, £129.00

5. The cable knit

I love it when it gets really cold and you need to wear your chunkiest piece of knitwear to stay warm. But you shouldn’t have to compromise on style when in knitwear and choosing something with a cable running through it ensures it looks more stylish and gives your knitwear personality. &other stories have a great selection of cable knits right now, my favourite has to be this polo neck one.

Oversized cable knit polo, &other stories, £79

6. The cashmere jumper

More and more we are looking for quality over quanity when we are buying items, yes we might need to spend slightly more money on something with better quality but it will last us longer. I am currently loving Boden’s cashmere jumper offering, this stripe one has got some great colours in it for brightening up your wardrobe.

Cashmere stripe crewneck, Boden, £130.00

7. The maxi dress

The maxi and midi dress were a favourite of mine this Summer and I have continued to wear some so far this Autumn, layered with blazers, my leather jacket and tights. But I have found the perfect dress from Baukjen which is currently on my wishlist!

Luna star print maxi dress, Baukjen, £189.00

8. The knitted dress

This piece is always very hard to find every season, so comfortable but can end up being very unflattering if not the right shape and style for your figure so tread carefully. I think this grey midi dress from Kin at John Lewis will never go out of style, but ensure you size right.

Contrast colour knitted dress, Kin, John Lewis, £79.00

9. Boots

I featured these boots on my Autumn ‘lust-after’ blog post back in September and they are still my favourite boots I have seen out there at the moment. I love the casual but formal feel of them, biker boots but can be worn dressed up too. These Kurt Geiger boots come in 3 colourways too.

Snail leather biker boots, Kurt Geiger, £169.00

10. The ultimate bag

You can never have too many bags in your life, as we navigate our daily lives we need large shoppers, cross body bags for hands free life, bags big enough for laptops, evening clutches…the list goes on. BUT there is an ultimate large shopper out there in Leopard print from Day Birger et Mikkelsen that is irresistible and needs to be added to your wardrobe pronto!

Leopard print shopper, Day Birger et Mikkelsen, £190.00

If you need help with your Autumn wardrobe, please contact me on email nina@edits-styling.com and we can discuss your needs, wants and how we can ensure your style has longevity.

A wardrobe saviour: The Jumpsuit

I had sort of assumed that everyone loves jumpsuits as much as I do. Practical, easy and often chicer than some of their dress/trouser counterparts, an all-in-one has long been the thing I rely on for those moments when you need to look more dressed up than usual, but have absolutely no idea what to wear. But during many client consultations I am amazed at how women don't think about jumpsuits as their go-to outfit for an evening out, a wedding, an alternative to office wear or a summer garden party. They are so versatile and flattering, it works like a dress but removes all the worry about what goes with what.

I now feel it is my job on this earth to persuade any remaining resisters as to the power of the jumpsuit. I have clients in their thirties ranging to clients in their sixties who are addicted to the power of the jumpsuit. Why? Because it is the most youth-endowing item of clothing you can wear as you get older. 

The jumpsuit is a true wardrobe saviour, when wearing one you’ll fit into any sort of situation and/or dress code. Casual yet sophisticated it can be effortlessly dressed up for weddings and last minute parties or thrown on with trainers and a denim jacket for a chic, nonchalant look. During winter, layers are the way to justify braving an all-in-one, whether it be with an oversized jacket or fitted polo neck to add edge (and warmth!). The trick is to keep styling simple and let the jumpsuit itself make the statement

Most clients, after seeing that jumpsuits are not, in fact, the work of the devil but a cool, very flattering alternative to dresses and separates, concede that I am right. I’m not smug at all; in fact, I’m just so happy that another person has joined my jumpsuit fan club. So if you want to look both stylish and cool, be it for day or night, I hereby pledge that a jumpsuit will deliver!

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Shop my jumpsuit picks

1. Amandine Tailored jumpsuit, Kitri Studio £125

2. Black and White Mike spot jumpsuit, Whistles £189

3. Polka dot long jumpsuit, Mango £59.99

4. Martha Wide-Leg jumpsuit, Reiss £250

5. Printed jumpsuit, Zara £49.99

6. Frill sleeve navy jumpsuit, Warehouse £59

7. G-Star stripe jumpsuit, ASOS £135

how to fall in love with your wardrobe again

...when opening it just makes you yawn.

So you open your wardrobe, do a dramatic sigh and close it again feeling like you hate it all, have nothing to wear and proceed to get out your laptop to start browsing Zara in an effort to feel better. Yep, we’ve all been there, and we’ve all made the subsequent three figure order where you end up seeing sense and returning most it any way (although something always gets through the net doesn’t it?). So if you’re feeling down in the dumps with your current wardrobe then I have a couple of style tricks up my sleeve. Three in fact, that should get your styling juices flowing and should help you find a couple of new and exciting options amongst your current clothes. The best bit is that it’s completely free! No quickie online hauls. No impulse purchases. Just working with what you’ve got to find some new outfits, discover old pieces and learn some styling tricks to spice things up again…

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EXPERIMENT ONE: FIVE NEW OUTFITS

I can be guilty of wearing the same outfits on repeat. In fact I kind of encourage it in a way, because having these ‘formulas’ takes the guesswork out of putting outfits together. Plus, it’s always handy to know that we can rely on them whenever we’re in a rush and that we know that we feel good in our most-worn pieces. However, they are exactly what cause us all to get into these ruts in the first place. So instead try and find five new outfits in your wardrobe that you have never worn before.

The best way to start each outfit is to have an item that you might not wear that often, that perhaps you’re not sure how to style or maybe it’s a piece that you feel is best suited to another time of year but you want to get more wear out of it. From there you can build; either by the process of trial and error and turning your bedroom into the world’s most chaotic changing room, or by taking a look online or on Instagram to see how other ladies you love have styled it out. I did a bit of both and ended up finding the perfect casual way to wear a blazer that was gathering dust, and I have taken out my dungarees from summer storage to wear over the coming months after learning that big chunky knits look pretty awesome under them. The best bit? I didn’t even need to spend a penny.

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EXPERIMENT TWO: THE 10X10 CHALLENGE

The wardrobe challenge to beat all other wardrobe challenges! Blogger Caroline Joy gives a detailed account of her 10 pieces, 10 outfits, 10 days challenge here. The premise is that you pick 10 items from your wardrobe and create 10 different outfits over the next 10 days with them. Not only should it help you flex your styling muscle, it also gives you a chance to get ready real quick in the mornings and to see if you’re happy with what you’ve currently got in your wardrobe. I’d say that it’s a good one to crack out at the beginning of each season to get you in the mood and see where the holes are that you need to fill with your new clothing additions.

Accessories aren’t included, so that’s how you’re going to spice things up here – with a colourful bag or a red lip to make our outfits look different if there are repeats. No need to buy anything. No need to throw anything out. No need to commit to minimalism forever. No need to overhaul your wardrobe. Instead, it’s all about trying something new and having fun. Here I wanted to focus on how to get my use out of my skirts rather than just wearing them for evenings and events, for Autumn layering them up with knitwear.

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EXPERIMENT THREE: STYLE IT OUT

Whereas the other two challenges can be a little time consuming, here’s one to whip out when you’re in need of a speedy dose of inspiration. The idea here is that you find a basic piece of clothing – let’s say a white crew-neck t-shirt and a pair of high-waist pale denim jeans – and then attempt to style it out as easy, breezy weekend attire and then as a more formal outfit option. It’s definitely not as taxing and more straightforward than the previous experiments, but it’s still a good way of seeing if you have the right kit in your wardrobe and a reminder of how easy it is to dial down/up an outfit. A good one to remember next time you’re packing for a trip. Be your own personal stylist here and don’t skip the finishing touches such as a red lip or a clutch bag. Here I used my leather leggings to dress up for a more formal look and down with a chunky knit and checked shirt for daytime.

What to ditch from your wardrobe to make you happy

There is a difference between saying you hate everything in your wardrobe and owning items that actually make you feel sad. When it comes to your wardrobe, stocking it with items that make you happy should be a number one rule. If you agree, then you need to ask yourself why are you holding on to pieces that trigger feelings of insecurity, disappointment or the kind of nostalgia that hurts, such as trousers you used to fit into or gifts from someone special who is no longer in your life, or maternity wear that you no longer have a need for?

In my opinion, life is stressful enough, so when it comes to my wardrobe, I want it to be a place where I can temporarily escape to; one that makes me feel like the best version of my current self, and nothing else. Here, I break down the items I (not so easily) ditched from my wardrobe in order to make my life a happier one overall. From personal experience, I can tell you that letting go of the five types of items was not a walk in the park, but after ripping off the Band-Aid, I live a life that is generally more at peace with my style, I increased my self confidence as I now know the pieces I own fit and suit me, and I have less urges to buy new things all the time.

Go on to read about the items I ditched from my wardrobe that lead to a happier stress-free style!

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ITEMS THAT DON'T FIT

I think it's safe to assume that most women (and men) keep that more than one article of clothing hidden away in their wardrobes that used to fit them, but no longer does. The intention behind keeping said item is to hopefully motivate yourself to trim down enough to fit into whatever it is. From personal experience, this tactic only stirs up negative feelings about your body, and no one wants that.

Instead, I recommend ditching those items. For me, it's my "too-skinny" jeans. I'm now investing in jeans that not only fit, but ones that make me feel more confident and happier with my body.

Jeans chuck out of skinnies that no longer or will never fit me again.

PIECES WITH UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

When I was younger I had tended to buy articles of clothing that require a lot of work to wear—fashion tape, cross-over bras, slips, etc. Or items that I can only wear to one type of event or holiday - that strapless ball gown or an over complicated top and skirt, that kind of thing that you end up never wearing again. These items always overwhelm me when I come across them, as I remember all the activities I imagined myself doing in them, but never actually did and all the extra items I had to buy to make them work. 

Once you get rid of these not so versatile items from you wardrobe, promise yourself to buy pieces that are a breeze to wear, uncomplicated and doesn't require a slip or cami top in every single colour you can think of.

Unrealistic ball gown that is never going to be worn again.

PIECES GIVEN TO YOU OR HAND-ME-DOWNS

We can all fall into that trap of accepting items from our Mothers, Mother-in-laws, sisters, friends but this is just a cycle of cluttering rather than making you feel good. They are handing you the items that they no longer want, so why would you want them? If it's a Burburry Mac, Chanel bag or a pair of Chloe boots I wouldn't say no, but your mother-in-laws purchase from Matalan 5 years ago, just isn't going to cut it with your style let alone your confidence.

Learn to say thanks and then bag it up for the charity shop. Don't feel bad about this, if they were going to chuck it out then there is no problem with you doing it for them. 

TRINKETS FROM A PAST RELATIONSHIP / LIFE

When it comes to nostalgia, I am someone who appreciates my memories more than the physical items that trigger those memories. But I have clients out there who love keeping their memories alive with items of clothing or gifts that have been given to them from a past relationship. Unless this is something you wear everyday, like a ring from your grandma for example, then keep them in a memory box. You don't want that cut up t-shirt from circa 1990 from your travels around Europe clogging up your wardrobe in the summer months, when you could be making room for something that fits and suits you.

If you make a memory box with items that bring back good memories then make sure you put it somewhere you will remember and won't throw out in the future.

ITEMS THAT HAVE DUST GATHERING

When I am helping clients detox their wardrobes we often find items of clothing with a heavy layer of dust on them. Most commonly this is suits that women have worn in a past corporate life and are now either in a different job, are Mothers who don't work or just have no need for suits in their life. Don't hoard these in your wardrobe thinking one day if you go back to work in a corporate environment that you might drag those suits out of the back of your wardrobe, because inevitably you will buy yourself new clothes for your new job.

Think of all that space you will create by getting rid of all those old suits that by gathering dust they are no longer wearable anyway. 

Upto date suits, gathering no dust.

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By having the items we love the most in our wardrobes we are taking back control of our identities and have a wardrobe that serves your life and future goals. If you need help with reviewing what you have in your wardrobe and want to develop your signature style then please get in touch now to book your consultation with me.

Dreaming of an uncomplicated de-cluttered wardrobe.