Extending Your Summer Wardrobe Into Autumn

Golden sultry days of summer filter into Autumn, palm trees turn to scattered leaves and bikinis and cabana boys turn into cozy jumpers by the fire. Though I miss white sundresses swaying in the breeze, it would be a lie to say I’m not eagerly anticipating the first properly crisp Autumn day. With September comes reinvention in the world of fashion. Whether it’s back to class rooms or boardrooms after a languid August in the sunshine, we crave a bit of wardrobe revival. Something to match the glamour and excitement of fashion week and to get us through the return of early starts and deadlines out the wazoo.

Unfortunately, a hedonistic summer does not make for a particularly robust wallet, so extending your warm weather wear into cooler months is the savvy gal’s strategy. With the notoriously unpredictable U.K weather, layering cozy styles over summer pieces is your best bet. In early Autumn in Scotland, you can go from rainy and windy to sunshine get-your-legs out weather from one day to the next. Though some think of sundresses and skirts, my quintessential summer outfit is either a jumpsuit or playsuit. Not only are they fun, but they help you avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment (flashing one’s knickers only looks fabulous in black and white photography). If you are seriously lacking a jumpsuit or a playsuit in your life Warehouse* currently has an utterly gorgeous collection, full of styles that work for any taste. Plus, who says you don’t deserve a bit of a pick me up, you’re back at the grindstone after all and nothing alleviates post-holiday blues like a bit of retail therapy.

To battle unpredictable weather and extend summer pieces into cooler months, layering is the best technique. It lets you play with textures, color, patterns and length to get an outfit worthy of street style photographers everywhere. Here I layered an old season strapless wide leg jumpsuit with an H&M slouchy charcoal off the shoulder jumper. Switch out the sky-high sandals for snakeskin heeled boots and you can transition any piece for Autumn. Combine a striped playsuit with tights, tall boots, a pea coat and a beret to channel the Parisienne. Wrap yourself up in an oversize cardigan over a slip dress and pair with leather loafers for a bohemian take. If you prefer a more tailored look, layering a crisp white collared shirt under a jumpsuit is oh so corporate chic. The possibilities are endless, and you can adapt the look to suit the forecast and your style. By the time the temperatures drop enough that you have to pull out the heavy-duty coats and fleece lined everything, it might be time to escape to some winter sun. Bali anyone?

Xx

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