SEVEN AUTUMN WARDROBE ESSENTIALS

Today I’m sharing my seven autumn wardrobe essentials. For me, these are the staples that I build tonnes of my outfits around and make putting my outfits together in the morning do much easier.

They are versatile and make it really easy to put a put-together outfit on, especially when I’m legging it out the door to work at 6am.

NUMBER ONE - MIDI SKIRT

Reece comments EVERY TIME I pick up another midi skirt: “Haven’t you got one like that already?”

Yes, and they’re bloody brilliant.

They look super feminine in the colder months. They’re not full length so they don’t drown me and make me look dumpy. They keep you warm and you better believe the thermal game that is going on under this baby. AND they’re really versatile in terms of footwear (hello, I’m looking at you trainers).

This one is my favourite. It’s a printed skirt from H&M featuring monkeys with crowns on. I feel like this smashes the animal print trend out the park. Sit down leopard print, the monkeys have arrived. As well as bringing all the sass it’s also a massive talking point.

I’ve chucked it on with a cosy turtle neck and a pair of converse.

This one was from their AW17 range but there’s so many alternatives on the high street at the moment like this rust coloured snake-print one from Zara.

And this delightful tartan one from & Other Stories.

NUMBER TWO - THE BEIGE KNIT

An absolutely obvious addition to your autumn wardrobe. I get SO excited swapping out my summer stuff from jumpers and folding them nicely in little piles on the shelf in my cupboard.

I bloody love a jumper. Styled right, they hide a multitude of sins and by sins I mean buffet visits.

This is one I picked up in H&M the other day and was really surprised by the quality of it. Very soft and hasn’t bobbled or picked at all.

There’s also this one I got last year from __ which features this delightful bowed bell sleeves. Slight Jack Sparrow vibes but it works.

One of my favourite shop to treat myself to a knit is The White Company. Each of the pieces I’ve treated myself to from this shop have lasted me years and the cost-per-wear I feel has been really impressive considering what I paid for them initially.

Their neutral colour ways mean each jumper is super versatile and the quality and design you pay for makes them look really expensive and chic.

All these knits can be worn with a midi skirt, a pair of high waited trousers, thrown on with a pair of jeans - definitely worth investing in.

Some similar knits here, and here.

NUMBER THREE - DEMIN

I really really struggle with jeans. My waist is small and my bum and thighs are much thicker in comparison - denim shopping is a struggle.

I get sweaty and frustrated trying to haul twenty million pairs over my arse and end up leaving in a mess with no purchase to speak of.

But, I’ve found a pair in All Saints that seem to fit beautifully and don’t make me bulge out in all the wrong places.

I’ve also been taking advantage of the massive amount of denim going on sale in the mid-season sales recently and been left with some beauties.

I’m still on the look out for some straight leg white jeans and haven’t had any luck as of yet - will keep you posted.

NUMBER FOUR - BOOTS

The classic ankle boot is an absolute wardrobe essential for this season. The feeling I got when I put these on for the first time this year and crunched through some leaves on my way to the station was like no other. Reece was giving me very strange looks as I skipped along with a massive grin on my face.

My favourite pair are these Vagabond ones, they’ve lasted me wearing them to death all through last autumn and winter and still look great for this year - well worth spending a little more on them. They also come in a dark brown with I have my eye on.

Investing in a really classic design that’s not going to go out of fashion is your best bet - get something quality that you can wear year after year.

There are some lovely more trend-led boots on the high street at the moment.

I have my eye on this pair from Zara in particular and am waiting for them to come back in stock in my size. They tick the animal print trend as well as the cowboy boot style that’s in this season.

NUMBER FIVE - LONG SLEEVE DRESS

Whether its work, an evening out, a weekend outfit or a date, I find long sleeve dresses so easy to chuck on and look done up for any occasion.

This one from ASOS has the most beautiful colours running through it and has a slip underneath for a bit of warmth.

The length is perfect to show off a bit of calf while hiding your thermals on a colder day.

My Topshop snake print and rust polka dot dresses featured in my ‘Five outfits to fall into Autumn wearing’ post are also perfect for this season. The thigh slits add a little bit of sexiness while the shirt design keeps you toasty. Again, both ultimate autumn staples in my wardrobe.

NUMBER SIX - CLOSED TOE SHOES

Who wants toe hyperthermia? Not me? Closed toe shoes are the perfect autumn footwear choice. This pair from Dorothy Perkins were an absolute steal at £20 and elevate any outfit.

I’ve worn them with my dark green suit, jeans and a jumper, my rust polka dot dress. Every time I throw these on, they get complimented.

They smash the animal print trend with a pointed toe classiness I’ve failed to find in another shoe. An absolute wardrobe essential for me.

Great alternative ticking the animal print box, here.

NUMBER SEVEN - THE ROLL NECK KNIT

An obvious one but so difficult to come across one that’s quality and affordable.

My go to shop for basic knitwear is Marks and Spencer. It never seems to let me down.

I’ve got three of these ribbed roll necks after I loved the first so much and couldn’t leave them in the store for under £18. I get so much wear out of them and they wash phenomenally.

The quality is wonderful, they can be styled in so many different ways but they’re my favourite piece to throw on with a pair of jeans and boots of my snake print sling backs and a statement coat when I need to get out the door.

They work with skirts, layered under dresses, with trousers to the office and can be dressed up and down really easily. This is definitely the most essential essential out of all of my autumn essentials.