It might seem easy to pinpoint It buys thanks to the many paid marketing pushes brands do around the looks, trends and items that fashion people are genuinely putting down some hard-earned cash for. However, no proliferation of #ads can steer us off course in our quest to quickly uncover the new-in pieces that are destined to sell out fast. With our minds and shopping baskets clearly turning to autumn, a fresh batch of noticeably popular pieces is on the rise.
You can use this list in one of many ways. Firstly, you can bookmark and shop directly should something speak to your personal style on a deep level. Secondly, you can use it as a guide to source second-hand and vintage alternatives. For example, you can see below that slip dresses and quilted jackets are trending, and these are very easy to pick up in thrift and charity stores. You just have to keep your eyes open. And finally, you can use this as an indicator of what to pull out of your wardrobe again. Sweater-vests started hitting the mainstream two winters ago, and they’re still going strong now. But you don’t have to have the exact version influencers, editors and stylists are going for. These days, it’s all about making your wardrobe work hard to achieve your aesthetic, not someone else’s.
From Ganni’s hit knit to Gucci’s new sell-out (and rather surprising) shoes, these are the early-autumn It buys I’ve seen around…
Although technically part of SIR the Label’s summer collection, the past week has seen a flurry of activity around the brand’s Aries lace-trimmed cut-out dress. In fact, it marks a movement towards black slip dresses as a surprise autumn staple in 2021. I’ve seen different iterations all over the place, from Zara to The Row, and the team has placed bets on this being the party look of the season. It’s hard to get hold of SIR’s version (in black or white), but there are still a few left on the brand’s e-commerce site. Wear it like a ’90s celeb with a grunge pair of boots and a beaten-up leather jacket.
We’ve become accustomed to comfortable footwear over the past year and a half, but that doesn’t mean anyone is okay with settling for boring. In steps Gucci’s perforated, clog-like, thick-soled mules to save the day. They are the “ugly” platforms we never knew we needed, and from L.A. to London, they’re trending hard.
The cream colourway is all but sold out and currently going for double the price on Vestiaire Collective, so you know things are getting serious.
There’s never a season without a key Ganni buy, but this autumn’s has arrived very early indeed. Cue the brand’s recycled wool-blend vest, which is as practical and versatile as it is cute. A perfect layering tool for these in-between days, it also is instantly cheery thanks to the smiley face intarsia pattern and mix-and-match striped motifs. You can go for a ’70s look and play up the brown hues, or you can use it in a more kooky fashion by layering it over a dress.
The Scandi brand has invested heavily in this layering item for autumn, so I’ve added other iterations available below, as this version is on its way to being sold out.
Since we first documented this jacket a few weeks ago, it has been flying out of stores, but we know from previous experience that a restock will come. So don’t panic. Just prepare yourself. The trend for quilted and puffer jackets and coats continues, but this season, there’s some extra drama in the form of voluminous shapes and a green colour palette. This is the kind of item that looks directional but is also incredibly practical, so it’s no great wonder that it’s retail catnip right now.
We called it a month ago: Jacquemus’s micro cardigans were destined to go macro. Small but mighty, the designer’s skimpy knits have indeed become omnipresent on my social feeds. From the Le Maille (pictured here with the little chain strap) to the button-down Alzou style, it’s safe to say knitwear has never looked so sassy.
The year started off very dedicated to hot pink, but as the months have rolled on, our collective desire for green has heightened. If you’re not sold on wearing Kermit-coloured clothes from head to toe, then a cheeky little green bag is absolutely the right route in. Perhaps that’s why BY FAR’s Baby Amber bag in iridescent green has taken off so quickly. Or maybe it’s down to the fact that we’re all trying to find ways to dress up and feel fancy without making too much effort. This bag does that too.
The hologram finish comes in a few other forms, like the brand’s classic Rachel shoulder bag and the new squidgy Cush style.
Summer’s retro crochet trend is set to continue well into autumn, as crafty, homespun fabrics are a key player on the A/W 21 runways. Sea’s joyful rainbow crochet sweater-vest and full jumper are leading the pack. The vest is currently out of stock at many UK retailers, but the jumper is still available, and there are some other pieces from the brand that tie into the look.
These shoes were made for partying, and that’s just what they’ll do! If any pair of designer heels were created for the sole purpose of having a great time once restrictions eased, it was these stacked Versace satin platforms. Beyoncé loves hers, as does Dua Lipa, and now, the fashion set are snapping them up. They come in three bold colours, but the pink has proven to be the favourite of the trio.
Next up, The Basics: What to Wear in Autumn
