I'm a 50-Year-Old Fashion Expert—5 Fresh Autumn Trends I'm Adding to My Forever Wardrobe
Autumn enthusiasts, rejoice! Cosy season is just around the corner, and we're prepping our wardrobes accordingly. Chunky knitwear, cocooning layers and deep, moody hues are all key fixtures for the next few months, but if you're looking for something a little more current, consider incorporating some of AW24's top trends.
As is the case every season, the list of trends to get familiar with is long and borderline overwhelming. We've tried to cover the key looks in our 17-point report, but we thought it would be worth consulting an expert from outside the Who What Wear team—enter Anna Cascarina, a stylist, editor and author with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Her book The Forever Wardrobe, which extols the virtues of the capsule approach, is just one example of her vast fashion intel.
Naturally, Anna's own style is something to envy, and her 120 thousand Instagram followers are regularly treated to snaps of her perfectly-assembled outfits. We were eager to pick her brains about the looks she's adding to her autumn rotation, and she kindly delivered. Hear what she has to say about five of the season's key trends below.
1. Full Suiting
Style Notes: “A good suit is the easiest way to look put together. This season is all about androgyny with power suiting and the addition of ties—think CEO vibes! I'll be wearing mine with a simple white tee and heeled boots.”
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2. Burgundy Accents
Style Notes: “I love wearing burgundy in autumn—it's the perfect colour and goes with everything. A great way to introduce it is with accessories and there are loads of new bags, shoes and boots coming in this season. Pair with grey, khaki, brown, beige and green for real autumnal vibes.”
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3. Cow Print
Style Notes: “This one is a bit of a wild card, but I am absolutely loving cow print this season. Leopard is a major trend, but I am feeling less excited about that and want to try something a bit different. These cow print mules are just the thing. They add a touch of interest to my outfit without feeling too ‘Wild West’.”
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4. Classic Trench Coats
Style Notes: “Autumn is the season of the trench and I can't wait to dive into my collection again. It's the ideal transitional item to wear when the weather doesn't quite know what it's doing. Plus, it makes every outfit feel more polished.”
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You can toss this on over everything, from midi dresses to tailoring.
Your ticket to looking chic with minimal effort.
5. Smoking-Inspired Jackets
Style Notes: “Smoking jackets are making a big comeback this season. Made famous in the 1960s by Yves Saint Laurent, 'Le Smoking' was a suit for women inspired by the tuxedo. This season, Khaite, Dolce & Gabanna, Nina Ricci and many more showed variations on the catwalk. It's such a timeless style.”
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Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.
A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor to Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.
In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.
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