Our Editors Went Shopping for Autumn—Here's What They Came Back With
October is here, and with it comes the arrival of autumn. Our days of summer dresses, basket bags and sandals are long behind us, and the cold weather is looking like it’s here to stay.
While this transition has been taking place over the last few weeks, there is one topic that has dominated the Who What Wear team’s conversations across Slack, email and our in-person office catch-ups: autumn fashion. So after listening to everyone share what they’re after for the season ahead, as well as discovering what they’ve already taken the plunge and invested in, I figured it was worth sharing with you.
Considering we spend all day, every day (well most days) scouring the new-in sections online, sharing our favourite finds, rounding up the trends to know and deep-diving into designer collections, we like to think our personal recommendations hold considerable weight. Each of us has our own aesthetic and style, meaning there’s everything from standout knitwear to pretty dresses featured here, along with pieces that cover all budgets.
When it comes to shopping for a new season, there are a few things that we collectively consider. We always look for timeless pieces that we can wear in multiple ways, for this year and beyond. We look for fabrication and quality, whether that's with a high-street hit or a cult designer piece. And finally, we think about how much joy the item will bring us. No matter how much you're spending, your purchase should be something that makes you happy.
So keep scrolling to discover everything on the Who What Wear editors' shopping lists right now, as well as inspiration on how they’ll be wearing the pieces this autumn.
1. HANNAH ALMASSI, EDITOR IN CHIEF
Hannah wears an A.W.A.K.E. Mode top, M&S trousers and Zara shoes.
"I love a Breton, but I just can't seem to commit to buying a totally classic and plain iteration! Instead, this holey A.W.A.K.E. number spoke to me through the medium of Instagram, and I had to have it! It works nicely with a simple pair of navy trousers, but I'm looking forward to wearing it with a full midi skirt."
"Navy trousers are some sort of strange addiction I seem to have developed—I have so many pairs of them. Not because I haven't found the right cut but just because I wear them so much that it makes sense to have a few different silhouettes and fabrics in my repertoire. These M&S ones were a real find because of the 'short' sizing, meaning that—for once—I don't have to take the hems up! The heavy crêpe fabric feels really substantial, and the fit on the waist works well for my hourglass frame."
"I like to wear sandals for as long as I possibly can into the autumn months—I find boots and closed-toe shoes are quite restrictive. I bought these ahead of Copenhagen Fashion Week, a wedding and a party I was attending, as gold sandals have served me very well in the past (they go with everything, promise!), and these were particularly tempting because of the lower heel. So they'll be great for party season, and they are really comfy for a pair of high-street shoes."
2. REMY FARRELL, SHOPPING EDITOR
Remy wears a LVIR trench coat and Karen Millen boots.
"I'm unashamed to admit that I'm a trench-coat fanatic (on last count, I think I had around seven), but this new iteration from LVIR is a game changer. Not only does the exaggerated shape feel fresh and modern, but you can unzip the sleeves to remove them completely, and wear as a sleeveless, belted gilet with a chunky knit. Consider this my autumn uniform from now on."
"Yes, that's right. It's time for tights. It felt like two minutes ago that I was frantically waxing for two weeks on the beach, but I'm happy enough to surrender the holiday MOT routine for a cosy few months layering up. I'm not a big fan of thick, opaque tights, but I do love a barely there 15 denier or fishnet pair of tights like these to wear with boots once the temperatures plummet. Very Saint Laurent."
"A sincere apology to my loafers, but there isn't anything I want to wear more right now than knee-high boots. Burgundy cowboy boots might not be everyone's first choice, but when it comes to power dressing, I feel my most confident in statement boots like these. Tuck in your skinnies or wear with a mini to make the most of this seasons most sought-after shoes."
3. MAXINE EGGENBERGER, ASSISTANT EDITOR
Maxine wears an & Other Stories striped turtleneck sweater.
"I'm making a conscious effort to add only timeless pieces to my wardrobe; following that logic, this knit needs little justification. Breton stripes never go out of style, so I know I'll wear this jumper for many autumns to come. It was the first thing that caught my eye when I entered my local & Other Stories store to road-test its latest collection for our The Great Try-On series, and it was the very thing I left with."
"I've dreamed of owning a Christopher Esber piece for so long, and this dress is a prime example as to why. Knitted fabrications with strategically positioned cut-outs are a signature of the designer, and I'm taken by how beautiful this midi option is. The long sleeves and longer length make it ideal for wearing even on the coldest of evenings. Just add knee-high boots."
"On the subject of knee-high boots, this is the pair I currently have my eye on. I already own sets of black and burgundy knee-highs, but I believe this tan hue will help me to unlock more incredible autumn outfits. I just keep thinking about how good they'll look with the dress above."
"Okay, so I technically didn't buy this—it was a birthday gift—but I haven't taken it off my neck since the start of September, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Bridging the gap between finer and more statement jewellery, this rope-chain necklace is versatile but impactful and is fast becoming my most-complimented piece of jewellery."
4. REMI AFOLABI, VIDEO EDITOR
Remi wears a Khaite cardigan.
"Having had Khaite’s Lucy cardigan on my radar for years now, I had to splurge when I came across it at an unbeatable price. Nothing comes close to it for me. From the cinched waist and flared long sleeves to the super-thick and cosy cashmere fabrication, it truly has no contenders in the knitwear game. It looks great paired with jeans, but I also like to style mine over a maxi skirt or dress. The ways to style this piece are endless!"
"I’m slowly building a collection of short trucker-style jackets and had to throw this orange beauty from Muubaa into the mix. The fit of this jacket is so precise it’s scary, but I’m not complaining! The quality is second to none, so I can trust that it will last me for many years to come. It’s also the perfect piece for elevating any casual everyday look."
"Leather trench coats are another one my fave outerwear styles to wear for autumn. We are currently seeing a sharp rise in brands dabbling with faux leather, and I’m here for it! I’m hoping to invest in one for autumn/winter and make it a ‘forever’ piece in my wardrobe. I think the elevated texture gives the coat a very sleek and cool vibe, and it's perfect for layering over knits without feeling too heavy."
5. POPPY NASH, MANAGING EDITOR
Poppy wears a striped shirt from M&S.
"In my opinion, a pretty black blouse is such a versatile wardrobe hero, and I always like to shop around and find the best of the best each season. This high-neck style will work just as well with jeans and heels in the evening as it will with a miniskirt, tights and chunky boots in the daytime. I also love the slightly sheer element to it, which helps give it a fresh feel."
"I have thought about this dress daily since it landed on the MATCHESFASHION.COM new-in page. It's an investment for sure, but I know I'll get so much use out of it year-round. For autumn, I'll wear it with heeled boots and a relaxed blazer or with chunky boots and a cardigan. When spring comes around again, I'll swap in sandals."
"Like Maxine, I also influenced myself when I tried this on for our The Great Try-On series and couldn't leave without it. After intensive research, I think it's fair to say that it is the perfect striped shirt. I went up a size for a more relaxed fit, but I love the way it can easily be tucked into trousers and how the cuffs can be rolled up. Plus, it's super affordable."
"In general, I like to buy good-quality knitwear that will last me for years, but every so often, my collection needs a refresh. This season, I've invested in this amazing knitted poncho, which I'll be wearing over pretty blouses, relaxed shirts, T-shirts and dresses. I chose cream (and have my trusty Tide pen at the ready!), but there's also a gorgeous camel shade, which I love too."
"This year, I will finally get my hands on one of Arket's amazing puffer coats. Every year, I miss out, but I've got in just in time with this longline style, which also has a waist till to cinch you in a tad. Whether iI wear it on a dog walk, during a weekend in the country or on a cold commute, I just know I'll get my money's worth from this."
Up Next: I've Hand-Picked 25 New-In Pieces Just in Time for Payday
Poppy joined the Who What Wear UK team as managing editor in 2022. After graduating from university with a degree in English literature, she worked for a number of print and digital publications, including Women's Health, The Times, Hello! and Marie Claire. In these roles she assisted the fashion teams with print content as well as digital shopping features, shoots and celebrity news.
Prior to Who What Wear, Poppy worked at SheerLuxe as the commercial content manager. There she oversaw all paid-for site content and inclusions, managed the visual assets and briefs for branded content, and ensured all content—whether editorial or commercial—was in line with overall brand guidelines and tone. She also supported the editorial team by looking after visual merchandising on site and reviewing the brand’s daily newsletters.
As WWW UK’s managing editor, Poppy spends most of her time looking after the content calendar and all output across the brand, in addition to working with contributors, supporting with social media planning, assisting with branded content and contributing to brand strategy. Poppy prides herself on being organised, and a keen eye for detail means she oversees the production of tentpole moments such as Who What Wear’s quarterly celebrity covers, the Wedding Issue, team shoots, events, industry-facing moments, gift guides and more. In addition to this, Poppy ensures processes across the brand are efficient and effective, and is always on the lookout for ways the team can work smarter, not harder! As someone who works behind the scenes (Poppy loves a spreadsheet!), you won’t find many articles by Poppy on site, but when you do there’s no doubt they will either be focused on dresses, handbags or classic high-street buys. Or better yet, all three!
Born and raised in London, Poppy is a true city girl. When she's not thinking about clothes (or raiding her mum’s wardrobe), Poppy fills her time walking along the river with her 11-year-old labradoodle, getting stuck in a good book and enjoying as many of the city’s amazing restaurants and bars as her purse will allow! Her favourite London spots are Caravel for dinner, the Ham Yard Hotel for a fancy pre-theatre drink, Daunt Books for a new read, 26Grains for breakfast and Coal Drop's Yard for a spot of shopping.
-
Chanel's Loafers Are the Ultimate Luxury—Here's Why the Fashion Set Think They're Worth It
The dream.
By Elinor Block
-
I'm in My 20s—Here Are 6 Style Lessons I Learned to Look More Polished and Grown-Up
Sophisticated styling 101.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
The Stunning Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry That's Worth the Investment
Shine bright like a diamond.
By Ana Escalante
-
We're Fashion Editors—the 9 Best Items From The Row That Are Truly Worth the Investment
They'll never date.
By Emily Dawes
-
The Only Watch Styles Worth Investing In According to an Expert
Sponsor Content Created With AP
By Aniyah Morinia
-
8 Copenhagen Street Style Trends I Plan to Replicate in New York
Pared back yet never boring.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
My Mom and I Agree—These "Forever Pieces" Are 100% Worth Buying
Don't just take my word for it.
By Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour
-
I'm a Luxury Jewelry Designer: 6 Investment Pieces That Will Last a Lifetime
Diamonds are Olivia Landau's best friend.
By Ana Escalante