Oct 1, 20206 min read

Autumn Styles that will make you want to embrace the cooler weather

To be fair, we haven't really got to autumn here yet – the nights are cooler (thank goodness!) but we're still getting high 20s and low 30s by day – still I love to see the autumn styles and think about a time, not too far away, when I can wear something other than shorts and a vest top and be able to put makeup on without it melting off my face.

As I have said before, I'm not a fashionista; I can´t tell you which designers are in vogue or whose collection wowed the industry this year, but I do know what I like – cue Genesis song... So I have put together a few of this autumn's main trends which seem to be the most wearable.

As with all fashion trends, it pays to think about how they will look on you – see my blog on Staying Cool and Classy. If you keep in mind what flatters your body shape and colouring, you will always look good, and skip those that won't do you any favours; there's always a way of incorporating a trend even if you don't want to wear it in its full glory.

Leather and Pleather

There's lots of this in the shops already this autumn – trousers, skirts, jackets, tops and dresses all in smooth, glossy textiles, either the real thing or synthetic, depending on your views and/or your bank balance. On the runways, leather trousers with wide legs either tucked into boots or with detailing down the seams were paired with fitted blouses for an almost mediaeval look. Coats and jackets were over-sized and luxurious and leather suits were also in evidence, so there are lots of ways to wear this style. If, like me, you're not a big leather/pleather lover, you can always add a dash of the trend with a shiny leather handbag or over-sized tote, or maybe go for one of the many boot fashions in a stylish leather or leather-look.

Balloon Sleeves

These are so big – in both senses of the word. High, almost Renaissance-style collars and big, balloon sleeves give a feeling of opulence to this season's blouses. Some have a leg-of-mutton style sleeves with detailing on long cuffs, others have shoulder ruffles and frills. It's actually a nice change to see blouses and shirts looking a bit more feminine, however, this is not a style for me personally; as I have written before, I have quite big shoulders and I'm top-heavy so to add lots of bulk and detail in this area isn't going to do me any favours, but if you're more of a pear shape or want to hide heavier arms, this could be a perfect style. If you don't want to do the whole dramatic style, maybe just add a bit of frill and flounce with a less-detailed blouse or top – it would look feminine and stylish with jeans and boots.

Wide-legged Trousers

Oh happy day! How long have I been waiting for the whole skinny-jeans (just call me Max Wall) look to disappear. Skinny jeans look great on some people, but they're so unflattering for many of us and the return of wider legs and bootcut trousers makes my heart sing. There are lots of different styles too – wide all the way down, bootcut, flares, flared crops – take your pick. The great thing here is that whatever the shape of your body, there will be a trouser shape to flatter you this season. There are still some skinny styles out there too, for those of you who can wear them.

High and Low Heeled Boots

Another great thing this season – both high and low-heeled boots were in evidence on the runways. So whether your preference is for comfort (yes please!) or an elegant high heel, you can be completely on trend. Many of the boots were quite slouchy with the wide-legged trousers tucked in, adding to the Renaissance look. There were also chunky boots with chains and straps if you're more into a casual look. I like having options – long bootcut jeans with a high heel underneath are a sure-fire way to make your legs look a mile long, but a soft, flared trouser with a neat flat heeled boot is elegant and classy. The trousers could be a soft leather/pleather for an utterly autumnal wow-factor.

Capes and over-sized coats

Another nod to the luxurious, coats and capes are dramatic and oversized this season. Capes are long, short or added to coats as a detail, coats are over-sized with big lapels and voluminous sleeves – all guaranteed to make you feel comfy and cosy this winter. I wonder with the stress and anxiety 2020 has brought whether we're craving feeling hugged and comforted and these styles do just that. Again, the great thing is, there's something for everyone, whatever your body-shape and personal style – if you have a penchant for the dramatic, then a full, flowing cape would be fabulous, if you prefer something a little quieter, a cream or camel loose coat, with or without a belt, would be perfect. My only regret is that with the winters here in Spain, I'm not likely to get much use out of a fabulous coat.

Gold and Chains

Again with a feel of the luxurious, gold was everywhere on the runways. Head-to-toe gold dresses, gold blouses, gold-coloured knitwear, gold detail on just about everything – certainly many were statement pieces but the gold vibe can be added subtly to give a modern twist on everyday wear; a nice bag with gold detailing; a blouse or top with a hint of gold in the fabric; a gold-coloured belt. You could dress up a great pair of jeans with a gold-coloured blouse, or layer gold-coloured necklaces (layering is also big this year) to dress up a T-shirt.

Chains were also in abundance – on dresses, coats, bags, boots, shoes, hats and belts. Some of the chains were quite big with a steam-punk vibe, others were light and almost like tassels but chains are definitely the thing this season. This is another trend that can easily be added to your wardrobe without breaking the bank or feeling too 'out there' with your style – add a simple chain belt to a coat, dress or jeans, choose boots with chain detailing, or just add layers of chain necklaces to really bring an outfit together.

Colours

This for me is the best bit – looking at what this season's colours are and adapting them to my current wardrobe. And to be honest, whatever colours you like, there's bound to be something to delight you this autumn:

Brown – fairly predictable really, but this year's browns are rich and tempting – caramel, toffee, chocolate, honey, cinnamon (feeling hungry?). I saw some beautiful soft leather trousers in a deep caramel – absolutely gorgeous! And boots in a gorgeous chocolate leather with chain detailing. If you're warm coloured, this is a gift because there will be hardly anything you can't wear. If you're cool coloured, go for the deeper, redder browns rather than the yellowy ones.

Camel – along with all the dramatic capes and coats, there was still the camel coat – soft, belted and an all time classic. If you are lucky enough to already have one, dress it up with gold accessories and some fabulous boots.

Red – So much red this year! Lovely bright rich reds in dresses, blouses, trousers, and even suits. Find a red that suits your colouring and go for it!

Colour blocking – almost an eighties vibe here – bright primary colours deliberately clashing in blocks or on different pieces; red trousers with a blue top, or a yellow skirt with a red jacket - very eye-catching and very on-trend.

Neutrals with blue – this is a gorgeous modern-looking trend – soft neutrals such as camel, cream and brown teamed with duck-egg blue. Again, an easy addition to your wardrobe without going crazy with the plastic, just add a soft blue top or even a scarf to give a new look.

All over Black – not my thing really as I can't wear black but if you look great in it than this is such a classy look. The monochrome look is stylish and elongating – think black trousers in a style that sits you, black boots, black blouse and gold accessories – very classic and reminiscent of Emma Peel.

So next time you go shopping, window or otherwise, keep a lookout for the trends and see what appeals to you. I'm very much of the view that you should be comfortable with your choices so that you feel glamorous but happy in your skin. If you can, try things on – perhaps try something a little daring – you might surprise yourself, or simply take one or two of the trends and adapt them to your own style. Whatever you do, feel good about yourself and walk tall.