Over the next few months, you’re going to hear us talk about many fall trends, most of which we’ll be embracing with open arms. However, our wardrobes aren’t limitless, meaning we need to be just as thoughtful about the trends we invest in as you are. As such, we thought we’d cancel out all the new-season noise and bring you a concise edit of the autumn trends our Who What Wear UK editors (and a couple of guest contributors from the U.S. team) are prioritising buying over the rest.
While we all chose different garments, there’s undeniably a common theme, and that’s relishing the opportunity to get dressed up. This doesn’t have to mean high heels and ball gowns, and for us, it manifests in everything from smart tailoring and vibrant colourways to luxury knitwear and feel-good minis. After a year of living in trackies and slippers, we’ll take any opportunity to celebrate the endorphin-boosting power of fashion. You know what to do—keep scrolling to see and shop our editors’ must-have buys for autumn.
“I’ll be carrying the positive vibes into the darker months by simply wearing more colour—and lots of it. The runways were awash with vibrant shades for A/W 21, with everything from canary yellow through to hot pink, and I won’t shy away from the idea of putting said hues in one outfit. But even a bold top with a plain pair of trousers or jeans will do wonders for lifting my spirits.”
“In winter, I live in jeans and a jumper, but this autumn, I am going to move away from big bulky things (at least when it’s not too cold!) and upgrade to something a little fancier. I love the trend that has been emerging for elegant, slinky knitwear—think ribbed fine knits that sit close to the body with interesting necklines and cut-out details.”
“This autumn, I’m desperate to shop more puffer jackets thanks to their proliferation on the A/W 21 runways. This season, they’re a little more refined and less gorpcore. Think The Frankie Shop’s oversized padded version in khaki or COS’s chic reversible bomber style. They’re as chic as they are practical.”
“In the grand scheme of things, fashion hasn’t exactly been the most pressing issue over the last 12 months (to put it lightly), but on a day-to-day level, not being able to dress up for work due to lockdown has definitely been something I’ve missed. So this autumn, I’ll be jumping at the chance to embrace a more polished look, and you don’t get smarter than a suit. I’ll embrace a slouchy fit and style with loafers and cashmere knits.”
“As the one item of clothing I’ve never had to tailor, miniskirts have always been my friend, and this season, the staple is set to be more popular than ever. Hemlines are on the rise this autumn, and I plan to fully embrace the look. I’ll be pairing printed miniskirts with crisp button-down shirts and ballet flats à la Alexa Chung and wearing denim iterations alongside chunky knits and ankle boots. Bare legs or stockings optional.”
“I know it’s not the most practical trend, but knit arm warmers have been living in my mind rent-free recently. Ever since boleros re-emerged last fall, these unique, almost impractical knit pieces have become viral (for a good reason). I love this trend because of its versatile form; we saw everything from classic knit arm warmers in collections like Givenchy and Blumarine to the off-the-shoulder, detached knitwear pieces that mimic arm warmers at collections like MSGM and Danielle Guizio. It’s such a fun way to rethink knitwear this fall.”
“I’m really looking forward to carrying the tailored-vest trend into fall. I love the idea of wearing it as a top under a blazer with either loose jeans or relaxed trousers. It’s such an effortless fall outfit that looks cool for so many occasions. If you’re into the vest-as-a-top thing as well, my only advice is to opt for a fitted style or size down so that the armholes don’t gap too much.”
Up Next: Autumn 2021 Trends: The Only Fashion Looks You Need to Know
