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Before you spend all your cash on seasonal hot beverages, obscure varieties of organic squash and questionable Halloween choices, allow me to suggest a few alternatives.
The trousers that are getting me through autumn. The new bag shape that fashion is obsessed with. Great gloves! Excellent socks! Anyway, some food for thought while you crunch through autumn leaves and make soup. Happy pumpkin spice latte season, kids!
This is not a drill: a foolproof, 10-minute DIY manicure that works
Mylee gel nail wraps
Almost every single time I buy something beauty-related on Instagram (silk heatless curlers for hair, I’m looking at you), I am profoundly disappointed in it. So no one is more surprised than me at how good these are. They’re nail-shaped stickers of shiny gel polish – solid colours, ombre, squiggles, whatever your little heart desires – that you press on to your nails and trim to match the length, no UV lamp required. They’re flexible and jelly soft, so they don’t feel fake in the way press-on nails do.
I’m too clumsy to paint my right hand – I can’t even do the left very well – and while I have lots of friends who enjoy salon appointments as self-care, I find them an annoying suck on time, money and headspace. Frankly, I’d rather read my book or go for a walk. But I do love having nice nails. On me, these last a week, rather than the fortnight it claims on the packet, but I’m thrilled with that. There are lots of brands coming into this space – search “pre-cured gel nail wraps” – but Mylee are the ones I ordered (and reordered, and reordered).
The perfect trousers for everyone
Pleat-front Italian wool trousers
Here’s what I want from a pair of trousers. Generous pleats at the waist, for a bit of Lee Miller swagger, but neat and tapered so they don’t flap around my calves. Belt loops (essential). A fabric that holds a front crease and doesn’t sag at the knee. Life is too short for trousers that have to be washed and ironed every day; I want to hang them up and put them back on tomorrow. Me+Em is not cheap, but it makes classy, useful clothes, and the brand’s Trouser Lab will help you work out which pair is right for you. I’ve got these in deep indigo blue, which is what I think of as French navy – a bit brighter than classic navy, like the colour on the French flag – and they go with literally everything.
Dior vibes, via John Lewis
Cotton rugby shirt
I recently saw an image on new Dior designer Jonathan Anderson’s Instagram of a solid, no-stripe rugby shirt with a white collar underneath a classic Dior “Bar” jacket, and I instantly wanted to find a rugby shirt to wear like that. This is so chic and preppy but not in an annoying way, and it’s a perfect dress-up-dress-down piece. It’s menswear, so size down.
Everything from & Other Stories under new creative director
Fitted-waist cotton shirt
Jonathan Saunders, one of London fashion week’s most beloved names of the 00s and 10s, is designing clothes for us again. This time, at high-street prices, as the chief creative officer of & Other Stories. There is so much good stuff – I’m also lusting after the knitted cape sweater – but this shirt is just brilliant. Loads of fashion details, but without any silliness.
Argyle socks
Everyday argyle socks
I’m a big fan of an argyle check. The diamond pattern, which originated in Scotland in the 16th century, feels like a wearable, elegant way to do tartan. I’m tempted by Boden’s Abi cardigan in a charming lilac-and-chocolate colour combo, but I am also very much enjoying my sock drawer right now (age comes for all of us). An argyle sock with jeans and a loafer is such a good look, and Burlington is the OG of argyle socks.
My current hero skirt is reduced from £198 to £88
Ruffle hem miniskirt
Most short skirts are much too short. I get that this is a subjective point of view, but I think lots of women feel the same way. What looks good on a mannequin tends to expose an alarming amount of thigh when you sit on a chair or walk up stairs. This navy Reiss skirt is my go-to while I’m at fashion week: the sculptural shape gives it impact, so you can wear it with a white T-shirt and blazer and feel done, and it isn’t flimsy or too short.
Are you always rummaging in your handbag? You need this
Pen loop
I’m a diehard stationery nerd, and I will never give up my paper notebook and diary. I am also on a perennial mission to reduce the amount of time I spend inelegantly rooting through my bag while muttering: “It’s in here somewhere!” Leuchtturm1917 is a German notebook brand that makes these brilliant pen loops with self-adhesive backing, which you stick inside the back cover to keep your pencil right there. My favourite part is that they come in 19 colours so you can match (or contrast) your notebook.
New-bag-shape klaxon: introducing the east-to-west shape
Croc-effect baguette bag
You know how the Scandi girl is the new French girl, right? I’ve been spending a lot of time poring over Copenhagen street-style blogs, trying to unpack the look. Lots of glossy slicked-back buns, but sadly these make me look more retired ballet mistress than It Girl. Year-round black sunglasses, which I can’t pull off. But another key element is a minimalist bag in a stretched horizontal shape, which is being dubbed the east-to-west. This shape tucks under your arm, making it comfortable to wear and secure for your phone and wallet, and looks instantly polished. This Marks & Spencer version is a goodie.
How to stay chic in the rain
Double-faced hooded bomber
My absolute favourite thing in fashion is when clothes are designed to a super-high taste without compromising on the practicals. It doesn’t happen all that often, to be honest, but the new fashion collection from the White Company is smashing it. Here’s the thing: hoods need to be waterproof to work, but anoraks are just not that elegant. Enter this double-faced wool bomber with a detachable nylon puffer-style hood. The jacket is pure chic, and the hood has you covered (literally) when the weather isn’t so pretty. Pricey, but you know what they say: the best things in life are free; the next best things are very expensive.
For more inspiration, check out the 50 best coats for autumn and winter
It’s gloves season
Fringe leather gloves
If you can find only one of last year’s gloves, may I recommend these?
