Autumn dressing in London is always a bit of a balancing act. Mornings can be chilly and yet you can find yourself regretting the jumper by lunchtime, only to need it again by the time you’re heading home. Then there is the small matter of the Tube, where it’s warm 95% of the time.
When I’m looking at autumn clothes, I’m less interested in buying a completely new wardrobe. Instead, something catches my eye because of the colour, the shape, the fabric or simply because I can immediately picture it working with things I already own.
I’ve been browsing the new arrivals at H&M and COS and these are the pieces that stood out to me. Some are practical autumn staples, while others are simply things I like and would be tempted to put in my basket. I’ve chosen five from each, with an eye on the sort of clothes that work for everyday autumn life in London – easy to layer, comfortable enough for getting around the city and, ideally, not too fussy.
The H&M Edit
1. Dark Brown Wide-Leg Trousers
The Vibe: Easy autumn tailoring
A good pair of wide-leg trousers can do a lot of work in an autumn wardrobe, and I particularly like this dark brown shade for the season. It’s softer than black but still works with all the usual autumn neutrals.
I’d wear these with a simple white T-shirt or fine knit and then add a blazer or heavier coat when it gets colder. The wide-leg shape also makes them feel a little less formal than traditional tailored trousers, which is useful when you want something that works outside the office too.
Best For: Building an easy autumn outfit around one good pair of trousers.
2. Dark Purple Smocked Blouse
The Vibe: Rich colour without going full autumn cliché
This deep purple caught my eye because it’s an easy way of bringing some colour into an autumn wardrobe without immediately reaching for rust or burgundy. The smocked texture also gives a fairly simple blouse a little more interest.
I’d wear it with dark trousers or black jeans and keep everything else fairly simple.
Best For: Adding colour and texture without making an outfit feel overly fussy.
3. White Cotton Oxford Shirt
The Vibe: The wardrobe workhorse
There is a reason I keep coming back to a good white shirt. It works on its own on a mild day, underneath knitwear when it gets colder and open over a vest or T-shirt when you need another light layer.
An Oxford cotton version has a little more structure than a very thin shirt, which I think makes it particularly useful for autumn.
Best For: Anyone who likes clothes that can be worn in several different ways.
4. Dark Khaki Green Corduroy Mini Skirt
The Vibe: Autumn texture
Corduroy is one of those fabrics that instantly makes an outfit feel more autumnal, and I like the combination of the dark khaki green and the straight shape here.
I’d probably wear it with a simple knit and tights once the weather turns properly cold. Early in the season, it could work with bare legs and trainers or loafers.
Best For: Bringing a bit of texture and colour into a simple autumn wardrobe.
5. Dark Khaki Green Kitten-Heeled Slingbacks
The Vibe: A little more polished
These are perhaps the least practical choice for a full day of walking, but I like them as an alternative to the usual black or brown shoe. The small heel keeps them relatively wearable, while the dark green makes them feel a little more interesting.
I’d wear them with wide-leg trousers or a midi skirt when I wanted an outfit to feel slightly more dressed up.
Best For: Adding a little polish without reaching for a high heel.
The COS Edit
6. Brushed-Cotton Long-Sleeved T-Shirt
The Vibe: The nicer version of an everyday basic
A good long-sleeved top is one of those things that becomes incredibly useful once autumn arrives. I like the heavier brushed cotton here because it gives the basic T-shirt shape a little more substance.
Wear it alone while the weather is mild, then layer it underneath shirts, jackets and knitwear as the temperature drops.
Best For: Creating a simple base for autumn layering.
7. Rounded Wool Crew-Neck Jumper
The Vibe: A classic jumper with a COS twist
I like the shape of this because it isn’t just another ordinary black crew-neck. The rounded silhouette gives it a little more structure while keeping it easy to wear.
I’d pair it with the white Oxford shirt from the H&M edit, dark trousers or a midi skirt. It’s the sort of jumper that could become one of those pieces you reach for repeatedly once the weather gets colder.
Best For: Anyone who likes simple clothes with slightly unusual shapes.
8. Draped Gathered Maxi Dress
The Vibe: Minimal but not boring
This is probably the most dressed-up piece in the edit, but I like the fact that the shape does the work rather than lots of decoration. The draping and gathering make it interesting without needing prints, sequins or elaborate details.
I’d wear it with a blazer and boots for an evening, or keep the accessories very simple and let the shape speak for itself.
Best For: An evening dress that doesn’t feel overly formal.
9. Pleated Crepe Midi Skirt
The Vibe: An easy way to add movement
A pleated midi skirt is one of those pieces that can look completely different depending on what you wear with it. A t-shirt and trainers makes it feel much more casual, while a fine knit and boots takes it in a smarter direction.
The crepe fabric also makes it feel a little more substantial for autumn than a very lightweight summer skirt.
Best For: Creating several different outfits from one skirt.
10. Contrast-Lined Double-Breasted Blazer
The Vibe: The autumn finishing piece
A good blazer is one of my favourite ways to make a simple outfit feel more pulled together, and I particularly like the contrast lining here. It’s a small detail, but it stops the blazer feeling completely conventional.
I’d wear it open over a T-shirt or fine knit with wide-leg trousers, or over a dress when I wanted something a little smarter.
Best For: Giving simple everyday outfits a more structured finish.
My Picks for a London Autumn
If I were actually narrowing this down to items that would suit my wardrobe this year, I’d probably start with the white Oxford shirt, the COS midi skirt and COS wool jumper. I think they give you a really useful base for autumn and can be mixed with things you probably already own. I think pairing a midi skirt with a relaxed t-shirt, blazer and trainers is such a chic look.
The corduroy skirt and dark purple blouse are the ones I’d choose if I wanted to bring in a little more colour and texture, while the COS maxi dress and green slingbacks are there for days when you want something that feels a bit more dressed up.
The nice thing about autumn clothes is that you don’t necessarily need a completely new wardrobe. A few good pieces that work with what you already own can be enough to make everything feel a little different.
And, perhaps most importantly for London, they can be layered when you leave the house in the morning and removed again when you inevitably find yourself overheating on the Tube.
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