I Have Designer Taste on a H&M Budget—This £55 Jacket Made Me Do a Double Take

From crisp morning walks with a pumpkin spice latte in hand to watching the colourful leaves fall on the streets of London, there are so many reasons why autumn is my favourite season. However, planning the outfits I’m going to wear is by far the most exciting part, and although I welcome chillier weather (no one enjoys overheating on the tube), the inevitable UK rainy days still get me stuck on what to wear. I find that classic raincoats cover up too much of the outfit I want to show off, and whilst blazers look very chic, past experience has taught me that they’re a terrible choice in the rain.

Luckily, H&M’s new autumn collection alerted me to a timeless jacket that perfectly merges utility with style. Enter the Waxed Twill Jacket (£55), bringing the sophistication of a boxy blazer with the waterproof finish we need for the unpredictable weather to come.

The waxed jacket is nothing new, with heritage brands like Barbour credited for making the style so popular. However, unlike in the past, when the piece was heavily associated with royal fashion, celebs and fashion people alike have brought it into the mainstream for autumn 2024, and it makes any outfit look way more expensive.

Dua Lipa was spotted earlier this season wearing a country waxed jacket with shorts and a baseball cap, proving that the style is the key to giving an outfit the "old money" vibes we've come to know and love. Since then, we’ve seen several luxury brands such as Toteme release their own versions, but with H&M’s rich-looking iteration coming in at under £60, I’ll be investing in this affordable buy to wear come rain or shine.

H&M's waxed jacket is made of 100% cotton, so it's not only water-repellant and wind-proof but breathable too, so you won't feel damp after it rains. It's currently only available in one colourway, but the deep khaki shade and contrast black collar make it versatile enough to go with almost any other shade in your wardrobe. And as someone who has far too many black coats, I'm very happy to have this softer alternative in my wardrobe to wear with the brown, cream and grey tones I'll be living in this autumn.

The styling possibilities for this luxe-looking jacket are endless. I'll be throwing this on with everything from tailored trousers and a button-down for the office, to knitted midi dresses on casual days out. I'm even planning to wear it with a roll-neck jumper, miniskirt and heeled boots for dinners out this season.

Keep scrolling to shop the H&M waxed jacket and more excellent waterproof finds.

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