3 style tips for autumn outfits

It’s a quick post from me today because I’m chasing the sun and heading away for a few days so I thought I’d leave you with some wardrobe styling homework as there won’t be a post next Friday. I’m bringing you 3 style tips for autumn outfits – they will interest those of you who enjoy a bit of forensic outfit structuring and for those who don’t, there are 3 outfit combinations to help you to get in sync with AW24.

It’s taken a while for the autumn season to drop at the major high street retailers. As I mentioned in Tuesday’s post, they’ve been holding on to summer for as long as possible, partly because SS24 sales have been sluggish as a result of the poor weather and also because the seasons are shifting so it takes longer for the autumn mood to kick in these days. However most of the interpretations are there now so I think we can clearly sense the zeitgeist.

The biggest switch that I’ve noticed is in neutrals. Navy has been relegated. I remember its return in about 2009 when it suddenly took over from all of the mocha shades that had been around since the turn of the millennium. And now things have flipped again. Every shade of brown is back, from the yellow based camels to the blue based tints of burgundy to the reddish chestnuts and the dark brown-blacks. There should be a version for every skintone and once your eye adapts you can see how flattering it is to a midlifer’s knocked back pigment. It’s a bit like changing from black mascara to brown – at first it feels as though it lacks impact but when you catch yourself in a mirror you realise that your look has softened – in a good way.

So before you discount brown, give it a try. It’s taken me a while to configure a shift away from the navy base that dominates my wardrobe but I’m getting there slowly and I really like it. I’ve discovered that brown works as well with a pop of colour as navy does so if you’re a lover of brights don’t feel you’ll have to discard them – I bet you could add any of your brightly coloured knitwear into the outfit suggestions below.

The important thing for 2024 is to move away from the purely tonal ‘stealth wealth’ look that’s dominated over the last three years (unless it’s intrinsically you of course) – think Gwyneth Paltrow or Meghan Markle. So how do you do that? Well in autumn and winter when there are so many more elements to every outfit you have to think harder – that’s why I prefer summer when your bare arms and legs do the cohesion work. At this time of year if you want an outfit to feel ‘put together’ there are different tricks so today I’m sharing 3 style tips for autumn outfits.

3 style tips for autumn outfits

1. The third article

A good way to work brown (or any other neutral such as navy or grey) is by applying what stylists often call ‘the third article’. It’s a style trick that I’m sure you perhaps already use subconsciously and it always gives stand-out to an otherwise simple outfit. The theory is that any good outfit that isn’t a block of a single colour should be made up in a 60:30:10 ratio – so you have 60% of one colour, 30% of another and then 10% of something that’s a complete contrast. The 60% and 30% can be either complimentary or tonal shades, the important thing is that you have 10% of something different.

Take this as an example, we have roughly 60% shades of brown, 30% black and then a burgundy bag. If you’d added a black or brown bag the end look would be fine but a bit drab, it’s the unexpected colour that makes the difference, even though it’s muted in terms of contrast.

Style notes

L- R top to bottom

• Cloud cashmere jumper: this is a light, lofty cashmere for those who find a higher gauge too much. It’s soft and yet surprisingly warm, great for layering too, also available in black or deep red
• Leopard scarf: a more muted shade of leopard often works better than the traditional amber when it’s translated to a fabric print. It’s a nod to a very, very resurgent trend.
• Snaffle belt: it’s always good to have a belt that tones with your jeans, especially if they sit at a point that isn’t your narrowest. Here the buckle does the work, drawing the eye away from width towards a focal spot.
• Double faced chocolate coat: made from pure wool, a double faced coat without a lining often has more fluidity than a lined coat and it’s easier to layer over a down gilet for extra warmth without bulk.
• Soft black straight leg jeans: I’ve had lots of requests for jeans that aren’t high rise and these are a fashion editor favourite, a simple straight leg and a soft wash that won’t contrast too harshly with other colours.
• Burgundy leather bag: here’s your third article, the piece that adds a layer of interest over the harmony of the browns and blacks.
• Chocolate croc boots: such an elegant boot, the croc adds texture, contrasting with the flatness of whatever fabric you pair it with.
• Cashmere beanie: tonal but not too strong, soft winter white cashmere always adds a light touch of luxe to a layered outfit.

2. The common thread

This style theory is often called the ‘red thread’ which can be a bit confusing so it’s easier to think of it as a common thread. The idea is that you have a single small detail of a particular colour weaving through your outfit from top to bottom, almost like a line of stitching. So that’s the way I’ve used shades of brown here – in the sleeve of the jumper, the bag, the trim of the gilet, the gloves and the trainers. You could add brown jeans or cords instead of the blue jeans but I like the way they pick up the pop of blue in the sleeves and the stripe on the trainers, adding another layer of ‘common thread’ outfit cohesion.

This could just be an outfit for walking the dog but can you see how these tricks make it more stylish?

Style notes

L-R top to bottom

• Packable down jacket: don’t miss these, they’re in clearance. Ultra light down is being replaced by a synthetic filler so if you love the warmth it gives, stock up now. Most sizes available in lots of colours as I type. I like to layer contrasting colours on top of each other when it gets colder, one with a hood one without. It looks good and you can easily scrunch one into its bag and loop it onto your belt if you get too hot. The full ultra light down clearance is here.
• Merino jumper: the look for AW24 is layering and a feature sleeve adds great effect, especially when worn under the season’s waistcoats or tank tops. This will enable you to add different pops of colour to your outfits, bringing a cohesive look to whatever you choose.
• Borg gilet: picking up on this year’s Boho comeback and an easy way to add an off duty feel to your outfits. Later in the season it will work as a cosy layer underneath your coats, adding texture that peeps through for a luxurious layered effect.
• Slim flare jeans: you saw these on me last week and first reports back from those of you who’ve bought them have been positive. An easy way to reference Boho without the voluminous silhouette.
• Phone and card leather crossbody: a simple but fabulous wardrobe addition, much more stylish than a handbag when you’re out walking and know you might want to stop off for cake!
• Trainers: a muted but fashionable way of moving on from the white trainer in navy and taupe and much more serviceable for winter. Don’t forget to protect them with a specialist suede trainer spray before you head out.
• Brushed cashmere handwarmers: there’s suddenly a lot of brushed cashmere around at a premium level – it’s a way for the upper end of the high street to set itself apart from the fact that even the supermarkets sell versions of cashmere now. It’s sumptuous and it adds a whole new layer of texture to outfits. These gloves are a versatile way of dipping your toe (or rather fingers) in.

3. The unexpected item

… not in the bagging area but in the outfit compilation. The final stylist’s trick for today is to add an element of surprise. You could easily factor your favourite jeans into this one but it’s the culottes (or ‘jorts’ as they’ve been trending all summer) that make it interesting. I know some of you will be spluttering and saying “never” but think about it, this trend is much easier to wear than a denim skirt or one of the demure pencil skirts that are in every shop window. They didn’t appeal to me with bare legs in summer but with warm tights and knee high boots like this… I haven’t ordered them yet but they’re the piece I keep going back to.

Other unexpected items are the ‘ahead of the curve’ trends for the season that nobody expects a midlifer to pick up on until they’ve hit the mainstream. Currently that would include the aforementioned pencil skirts, leather skirts and trousers or barrel and flared jeans. They’d all work with this although you’d need to switch to ankle boots for the trousers and jeans.

Style notes

Top to bottom L-R

• Knitted waistcoat: I find waistcoats are easier to wear than last year’s tank tops because they accommodate different necklines and you can unbutton them if you’re overheating
• Soft wool funnel neck (15% off with MLC15): this is a very light wool so it gives you the depth of texture that builds a strong layered look without being too heavy and the added bonus is that the neckline is raised but not restrictive
• Brown wool jacket: just the right shade to go with both darker and paler versions of brown, will also strike the right level of contrast when paired with denim. Blended with Tencel for comfort and fluidity.
• Denim culottes: I think I’ve said everything I wanted to about these. I’ve just ordered them to try
• Chocolate leather boots: practical, hardwearing but glossy leather with a walkable low heel. Perfect with dresses, skirts, cropped trousers… or culottes!
• Leopard belt: a focus point in a low key outfit, you’ll use this endlessly to lift simple jeans and jumper combos – remember the third article?
• Gold statement earrings: beautiful earrings, a significant change from the ubiquitous gold hoops and another thing I keep returning to. Matching necklace and brooch available.
• Oxblood leather bag: the spot of colour contrast for this outfit, soft and squashy, very reasonably priced for leather.

Most of the pieces in this post would mix and match to give you a relaxed casual wardrobe for the season ahead. All that’s missing really are a couple of ‘nice tops’ for a night out but as we’re still in pre-party season they haven’t landed yet. It won’t be long though!

As I mentioned I’m heading off for a little break now so there won’t be a post next Friday. I can feel myself hitting a wall on both the desk and gym front, probably because I haven’t stopped working since March apart from the odd afternoon here and there. And of course on top of my usual activities I’ve been filling any spare moments with trying to write a book. You can probably tell that I’m trying to justify stopping – the curse of working for yourself, particularly in a difficult climate.

So, we’re setting off for ten days of sunshine in a quiet spot on the Aegean coastline of Turkey. For the first time ever I’ve booked a fly and flop all-inclusive holiday and the plan is to read, swim and sleep on repeat. It’s very different to our usual sort of holiday and I have no idea how I’ll get on with the idea of being within the perimeter of a resort where everything’s provided – Mal’s giving it three days before I get cabin fever but we’ll see! Anyway I might pop up on Instagram, I might not. As always I want to thank you for keeping on reading this blog of mine, it means so much to me. I’ll be back soon, feeling refreshed and ready to keep on trying to cast a little light into the darker, colder months that lie ahead.

And on that note, there’s a very small chance that we may be able to add an extra five places to the reader get together in London with my lovely friend Claudia Bradby on 31st October. I’m opening up a waiting list so if you’d like to come please could you register. If tickets become available you’ll receive an email but you’ll need to respond quickly because there won’t be many. Details here:

Disclosure: ‘3 style tips for autumn outfits’ is not a sponsored post