With one final, unseasonable October heatwave now behind us, my mind is squarely in autumn-winter mode. Over the past several weeks I’ve been honing my seasonal wishlist, which I thought I’d share here. I also wanted to chat about a few pieces I’m excited to pull back out for the season (because each new season shouldn’t make you yearn for a whole new wardrobe), and hopefully inspire you to do the same. Let’s start with some pieces I already have and love, and then some pieces I’ve been investing in.
Pieces I’m Excited to Re-Wear
My Barbour Jacket
It should be no secret that I have a love affair with Barbour. There’s just something about British heritage brands that makes my heart sing. My Barbour Acorn was my big splurge of last autumn, and I got more wear out of it than I even anticipated. It adds an instantly relaxed quality to any outfit, but still somehow looks polished. Beyond the looks, it’s just such a practical piece to have. We get quite a bit of rain in the autumn and spring here, and I’ve worn this in torrential downpours and kept bone dry underneath. It’s perfectly rugged and something I’ll have for years to come. I know I’ll be falling back on this one a ton this season.
&Daughter Cardigan
Another piece I picked up last year, my &Daughter cardigan is one of my prized possessions. It’s an old season piece so unfortunately I can’t link the exact item, but I truly recommend anything from &Daughter. Their pieces are made with care in the UK and the quality is really something special. This cardigan is just so easy to wear and is simultaneously the perfect layering piece and something that will see me through the depths of winter. Timeless and an heirloom piece I hope to keep for a long, long time.
GH Bass Loafers
Autumn to me is loafer season. There’s just something perfectly timeless and academic about a loafer. My GH Bass ones have been staring at me all summer waiting for their return, and finally the time feels right to pull them back out. GH Bass Weejuns have been around for a while, so if you’re looking to invest in something that you’ll be excited to pull out year after year, I couldn’t recommend these more.
Dôen Broderie Midi Skirt
This one is sort of a cheat because I’ve been wearing it all summer, but a huge motif for me this season has been mixing traditionally “masculine” pieces that to me are so typical of autumn (think tailoring and loafers and rugged knits), with things that are more feminine. It’s also a great way to get some more months of wear out of your favourite summer pieces. I’m looking forward to pairing this skirt with loafers, my Barbour, chunky knits, and even a wool checked blazer for the cooler months.
Quilted Lavenham Jacket
Another splurge piece from last autumn, I picked this jacket up in London as a bit of a souvenir after pining over it online for months. A good quilted jacket is perfectly timeless (notice a trend in the pieces I’m excited to pull back out this year?), and Lavenham do really special ones. This one really reminds me of the Toteme quilted jacket, but to me the more streamlined shape of the Lavenham will look less dated in a few years’ time. I wore this piece pretty much through the entirety of winter last year so I’m looking forward to reuniting with it.
Pieces I’m Investing In
Wool Coat
My biggest piece of advice is to shop off-season for really big ticket items. Good coats can run upwards of $1,000 or more, so it’s important to be intentional. In the SSENSE summer sale that ended in August, I picked up my dream coat from Nothing Written, which I’ve been obsessed with ever since I saw it on Brittany Bathgate a few years ago. When I saw it half off in the sale, I immediately sprung for it. It’s 80% wool and has this beautiful quilted lining with 3M Thinsulate insulation, and beautiful details such as covered buttons. I’m most enamoured with the swingy, voluminous shape that reminds me of a 1960’s overcoat. A forever piece for sure.
Knee-High Boots
I somehow made it to the age of 27 without owning a pair of knee-high boots, and while I’m not someone who buys things solely because others say they’re a “wardrobe essential” (because what even does that mean?), there have been so many times over the years that I’ve wished I had a pair of tall boots to complete an outfit. My #1 goal with getting a pair is that they would allow me to transition some of my skirts and dresses into the colder months, which just don’t work with an ankle boot. Complicating factors were my calf size and something that would be decently comfortable. I went for these ones from Gravity Pope, but if funds were unlimited, I also loved these from Staud, these from Reformation, and these from Aeyde. My eyes will be peeled in future sale seasons!
Knitwear
I could dedicate an entire post just to knitwear, but in the interest of brevity, my knitwear wishlist can be divided into two buckets: a lighter-weight crewneck with some interest, and a cropped, 1950s-esque cardigan in a lighter-weight wool. I’ve got lots of chunky and oversized knits but this season I’m really looking for something a bit more streamlined that I can wear in the shoulder seasons as well. I’m loving this, this, and this from Dôen and would love to invest in one of them.
Transitional Tops
A huge gap in my transitional wardrobe are easy tops that will see me through the couple months before knitwear is really required. I’ve got a couple button-ups and ample t-shirts, but I wanted something slightly more unique. I invested in the Jana top from Dôen and have been wearing it multiple times per week. It’s such a versatile piece and feels very me. If the black comes back in stock, I am highly considering picking that one up as well.
Autumn-esque & Festive Dresses
It’s no secret that I love a summer dress, but I’m always wishing I had one or two that were suitable for the colder months when poplin and linen just look out of place. I haven’t found the perfect one just yet, but I’m looking for something with darker colours, in a beautiful rich print like a plaid or a paisley.
And that’s the list! I’m really looking to add some versatile pieces that will be mainstays in my wardrobe for years and years to come — nothing trend-driven and nothing “just in case.” Thanks for reading!
