I'm going to let you in on a little fashion-editor secret: the pieces I get most excited about aren't always the ones that stop me mid-scroll. Quite often, they're the buys I know I'll reach for three times a week without even thinking about it: a really good pair of jeans, a cardigan that works over every top I own, a jacket that makes a very ordinary outfit feel like I've actually got dressed… that's where my head is at with H&M right now. There are some lovely trend-led pieces in the mix, but I'm more interested in the quiet wardrobe heroes that I'll wear constantly all season.
I've also been chatting to my fellow editors about what we're actually shopping for, and there seems to be a real appetite for clothes that make getting dressed easier, but that doesn't mean boring. I'm personally very into the idea of slightly sharper basics this season: a good coat over loose denim, a fitted knit with wide-leg jeans, a boxy shirt peeking out from under a jumper. H&M's current selection has plenty to play with, from the Wide Leg Trousers and new oversized shirts to super-sleek Premium Selection pieces in wool and cashmere. And, yes, I have already mentally planned several outfits around the Belted Twill Coat.
I've already bookmarked a few pieces for my own wardrobe, plus a few that have already caused a stir in our editorial Slack channel. These are the elevated autumn basics I think have the potential to become the pieces I'll wonder how I ever got dressed without, and I've got a feeling you'll have your own favourites, too.
Shop My Favourite Autumn Basics:
For the days when a fine cardigan just won't cut it, this is the short jacket I'd reach for.
The boat neck is what makes this more interesting than your average long-sleeved top. I'd wear it with dark denim and a belt.
A great layering basic.
For anyone who isn’t quite ready to abandon a straight-leg jean, this is a really good middle ground.
This is exactly the sort of top I'd buy in a neutral first and then inevitably go back for another colour once I realise how often I'm wearing it.
The tie on this coat means you can wear it loose or cinched depending on the outfit.
The trousers I keep coming back to. The wide leg feels current without being too exaggerated.
The single-breasted design gives this a classic blazer silhouette, whilst the thicker fabric keeps it firmly in autumn territory.
I love sprinkling just a bit of bold colour into my cold-weather looks, and this cobalt blue does just that.
Add tights when the chill really kicks in.
The outerwear I’m opting for when I want that slightly oversized, off-duty-model silhouette.
Jersey dresses have quietly become one of my favourite autumn pieces.
This looks much more expensive than it is.
I love how an oversized shirt looks underneath a knit, with the cuffs and collar left poking out.
