I Tried On Over 50 Pieces This Month—These Are the 6 Basics That Joined My Capsule Wardrobe

Welcome to The Great Try-On. With autumn well and truly in the air, we took the opportunity to try on some of the best new-in pieces from your favourite brands, documenting the process along the way. We believe that the best way to shop online is to see an item IRL and read candid reviews, so we hope this leads you to your most successful purchases of the year.

Maybe it’s a back-to-school mentality I can’t shake despite leaving any kind of education over ten years ago, but autumn always feels like a fresh start. In lieu of buying a new pencil case, I often find myself wanting to update the basics in my wardrobe, especially when I rely on them so often in the tricky transitional weeks of not knowing how to dress.

For autumn, I’m always looking for the perfect jumper (think Harry Burns’s cream cable knit), and a chic-but-practical pair of flats (I really am in back-to-school mode), as well as the year-round basics we all know and rely on. Luckily, at Who What Wear UK, I am in no short supply of fashion recommendations. Each suggestion always comes backed with reviews from multiple members of the team and even insights on how popular certain pieces are with our readers.

So, with your mind fully in autumn mode, scroll on for the basics I’d recommend for the season ahead.

The Best Basics for Autumn 2025, Tried and Reviewed by an Editor:

1. COS Clean-Cut Tee

My Review: How much is there to say about a white T-shirt, right? Well, as someone who wears a white tee and jeans at least twice a week, I have a lot of opinions on what makes this simple piece of clothing just right. Surprisingly, despite my colleagues raving about the COS Clean-Cut T-Shirt, I’d never actually tried it. This now feels like a huge mistake, as upon trying it on, I immediately wanted to buy two (so I always have a backup when one is in the wash).

COS is known for its quality, and this classic tee is no exception. In my opinion, it’s the perfect weight; light enough that it can be layered under knits and jackets but heavy enough not to show the outlines or seams of lingerie (as you can hopefully see). The cut is also great (for reference, I opted for my usual size small), slightly cropped so that it works both tucked and untucked from jeans or trousers and relaxed in the body and sleeves.

Shop COS's Clean-Cut Tee:

2. Reformation Agathea Chunky Loafers

My Review: You're guaranteed to find loafers in the shoe rotation of many a fashion person come autumn, but in recent years, they’ve solidified themselves as a true wardrobe staple. When looking to recommend a pair, Reformation seemed like a good choice. As a team, we love the brand, not least for its sustainably minded designs and general cool appeal, but also the tried and tested quality of each piece.

I opted for the chunky-soled Agathea style, not only because I’ve seen Gigi Hadid wearing them, but they’re also the perfect balance between edgy and classic. Although the Reformation website says they run large, I tried on my normal size, and they fit really well. I also generally wear a pair of socks with loafers, so I appreciate a bit of room. In the store, I tried the loafers on with a pair of wide-leg jeans (side note: Reformation denim is also very good!), and loved how they looked with denim. I know if these lived in my wardrobe, I’d certainly feel a lot less sad about shelving my flip-flops every summer.

Shop Reformation's Agathea Chunky Loafers:

3. H&M Wide Trousers

My Review: I’ll choose separates over a dress any day, but particularly during layering season, so finding a good pair of trousers is always a win. I was first drawn to this H&M pair because of the pinstripe print. Again, maybe it’s the back-to-school feeling that makes me sway towards a grey pair of trousers in autumn, but they’re a staple in my year-round wardrobe and can be styled up (like here, with a shirt) or down (with a tee or casual knit).

I’m 5’9”, so I sometimes struggle to find the right length in trousers, but these worked, hitting nicely below my ankle. If you’re shorter than me, they’d skim the floor a little more and might need a slight heel, but still a good length nevertheless. As wide-leg trousers go, these definitely sway more straight leg than an ultra-wide palazzo, making them a good everyday option. They’re made from a comfortable jersey fabric and have an elasticated waist, but fit on the smaller side, so I’d size up (I’m wearing a medium, for reference).

Shop H&M's Wide Trousers:

4. The Frankie Shop Bea Single-Breasted Stretch-Woven Blazer

My Review: If there's one brand that knows how to nail a cool-girl basic, it’s The Frankie Shop. Everything is thoughtfully designed, often with a detail that gives it that point of difference from similar pieces on the market. If you’re a blazer-wearer, you’ll no doubt have heard of The Frankie Shop's styles. I tried on the Bea Single Breasted Blazer and immediately understood the hype. Yes, it may be pricier than blazers from other mid-range brands, but for a piece that will work this hard in your wardrobe all year round (and for years to come), I think it’s justifiable. Plus, the cut and colour definitely look expensive.

Sizing is something to note, as it comes up quite oversized. For reference, I’m wearing a small, and I’d say it’s giving the perfect amount of nonchalance. I loved how this looked styled simply with a white tee and jeans, but I would also throw it on over a dress or pair it with the matching tailored trousers for an elevated look.

Shop The Frankie Shop's Bea Blazer:

5. Arket Alpaca-Wool Blend Jumper

My Review: It may not be the right weather for a jumper as soon as autumn hits, but when it does get chillier, I want to be wearing this Arket knit. The alpaca-wool blend is naturally insulating—I felt very cosy—and softer on the skin than sheep's wool. The classic, oversized fit is nice and slouchy but doesn't look sloppy (I’m wearing a medium), and works both tucked into trousers and untucked for a more casual look.

This jumper is also a firm favourite with the fashion crowd, often going out of stock in popular colours (so make sure to snap it up if there’s one you like!). There are currently nine shades to choose from; the beige, which I tried, would slip seamlessly into my autumn colour palette, but I also love the chic grey, and I bet the burgundy is going to be a popular one this year.

Shop Arket's Alpaca-Wool Blend Jumper:

6. With Nothing Underneath The Boyfriend Shirt

My Review: With Nothing Underneath is another Who What Wear favourite. When the brand launched, its sole focus was shirts (it has since expanded into an array of quietly elegant wardrobe essentials), so it’s no surprise that it knows what it's doing here. Offering a range of cuts, silhouettes and fabrics, there is a lot to choose from, and hopefully a style to suit everyone. I opted for The Boyfriend, which is exactly what it sounds like: a loose fit with slightly dropped shoulders and a double-buttoned cuff. It’s designed to be slightly oversized if you take your regular size (I’m wearing a 10).

Most of the brand's shirts come in a range of colours and patterns, and the blue stripes felt both timeless and on-trend (stripes are making a big comeback this autumn—yay!). Before I’d even opened the parcel it came in, I was imagining the multiple ways I’d wear this shirt; layered under a knitted vest, buttoned to the top with a tie and tailored trousers or simply unbuttoned over a T-shirt for an easy, casual ‘fit.

Shop With Nothing Underneath's The Boyfriend Shirt:

Why Trust Us?

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.