I’m Not Saying We’re Done With These 5 Styles, But These Other Autumn Fashion Trends are Far More Elegant

Call me cliché, but I take the changing of the season as an invitation to upheave my wardrobe and begin anew. There are parameters to this practice, of course, like adhering to the one in, one out rule, so I don’t fall into the trap of over-consumption. However, the most important factor I keep in mind when shopping is the trend cycle.

As I prepare to peruse my preferred resale apps or local high-street stores, I'm keeping the dated autumn 2025 trends at the front of my mind to ensure whatever I’m investing in gets the most longevity in my wardrobe. That is to say, given fashion’s accelerated pace, there’s a very likely chance that what I love now won’t stay that way forever, unless I buy something that is truly a classic. We are a fickle bunch, after all. But if the discourse around what’s "in" and what’s "out" has proven anything, it’s that when you buy well and buy with intention, the pieces you invest in really can last you for seasons on end. So, what are the styles that have been put on pause this year, and what are the styles that fashion people are embracing with reckless abandon?

It’s not to say these pieces don’t have a place in your fashion arsenal, just that collective tastes have slightly moved on from these styles in favour of shapes, cuts and colours that are a little more refreshing. I’m not advocating for you to part with something you really love, but rather want to shed light on the autumn/winter 2025 trends that are taking over in popularity so you can make the most informed decisions possible. Because is there anything worse than letting something sit in the back of your wardrobe for years, only for it to come back in fashion after you’ve eventually rehomed it?

Without further ado, scroll on for the autumn 2025 fashion trends that some consider to be past their prime, and the new ones taking their place.

The 5 "Dated" Autumn Fashion Trends and the Fresh Styles We're Wearing Instead

1. Passing on: Scarf Coats

Wearing Instead: Collarless Coats

Style Notes: One way trends can get superseded is because of how pervasive they were upon first launch. Scarf coats are the perfect example of that. Whilst they'll always be chic, their virality makes them feel slightly of a certain period. Like how the Acne scarf is synonymous with 2014 fashion, the scarf coat is the 2024 equivalent. So, for the autumn 2025 season, ditch the frills and flourish and keep things simple with a clean-cut collarless coat.

Shop the Trend:

2. Passing on: Satin Ballet Slippers

Wearing Instead: Leather Flats

Style Notes: Satin ballet flats have been stealing the spotlight ever since they made their triumphant return when stepping out at Miu Miu's autumn/winter 2022 collection. Whilst they're undoubtedly the prettiest flats out there, they can easily date amidst the slush, sludge and puddles that British winter brings about. Instead, swap them out for something more resilient, like leather flats. Be it slippers, moccasins or loafers, these shoes will age like a fine wine.

Shop the Trend:

3. Passing on: Leather Bombers

Wearing Instead: Funnel-Neck Jackets

Style Notes: Though leather bombers have remained in pole position for several autumns now, they're slowly being overtaken by funnel-neck jackets. We know that the aviator shape will always be relevant, but for something a little different, why not take cues from the trend du jour?

Shop the Trend:

4. Passing on: Pleated Skirts

Wearing Instead: Pencil Skirts

Style Notes: Last year was the year of pleated skirts. But if the A/W 25 collections of Simone Rocha and SS Daley taught us anything, it's that these styles have been shed for something more streamlined, like pencil skirts. Razor-sharp and tapered to perfection, think of this as a graduation from preppy school girl to elegant matron.

Shop the Trend:

5. Passing on: Khaki Trenches

Wearing Instead: Leopard-Print Coats

Style Notes: Trench coats are an integral part of the British fashion landscape, but there's something about deep khaki colours that feels inherently 2014, probably because of how popular this shade was at that time. Instead, reach for something more vintage, like the '90s-inspired leopard-print coat trend.

Shop the Trend:

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.