How To Look Effortlessly On-Trend This Autumn

Autumn is undoubtedly my favourite season when it comes to fashion. I’m a sucker for a knit sweater, trousers, boots, scarfs, hats – you name it. It’s probably why I have a distaste for summer so much. I’ve never been one to feel comfortable with skin on show. It’s only usually in moderation. Plus, it’s just too hot to layer in summer and having to resort to a boxy tee and gym shorts just isn’t ‘fashionable’ enough for me. Maybe that’s my way of admitting I’m no good at styling myself in summer. Anyhow, what I do know is fall fashion. Here’s how you too can look effortlessly on-trend this autumn.

Know What Works For You

It’s goes without saying that when you decide to ‘copy and paste’ an outfit – no shame, I do it all the time – we never take into consideration the person wearing it. Their height, weight, proportions, body shape, even their skin colour or hair style. Those factors are usually completely overlooked. And this is where I find most issues come into play. The ‘is it a fit or is she skinny’ trend kinda holds some weight. Because nowadays we are disregarding the fashion and focusing on the face, the hair, the body. Especially the body. And we praise people who resemble the high-standards of conventional beauty over their talents and taste for styling pieces.

When you are finding your own sense of style or taking inspiration from someone, ask yourself ‘does it look good because they look good, or is it actually a cute outfit?’ – this trick also helps greatly when it comes to reducing shopping habits. HA! Likewise, when you see someone wearing something you like, just remember to take their body shape and height into consideration. I’d also like to give Kibbe and Colour Seasons a shoutout here because they too are highly ignored when it comes to styling.

Tools For Improved Self-Styling

Kibbe – the term for a system created to identify different shapes of women’s body’s – can be a helpful tool in finding style inspiration. Likewise, this system can be great for understanding your own body type and using that to develop a sense of personal style that perfectly compliments your shape.

Colour Season Analysis takes into consideration your hue, value and chroma to identify what colours are more suited to you. This can be extremely helpful in identifying which colours make your look more washed out or clash with your natural colouring. Likewise, it can also help you identify which colours make you look more enhanced and compliment your overall look the best.

Using these two tools together can be extremely powerful when it comes to developing or fine-tuning your own style. In fact, you can use both of these to help you declutter your wardrobe. This means you can hold on to the pieces you know will look good on you and donate or sell the ones that don’t serve you anymore.

If you do use these tools, they will become your secret weapon for always looking effortlessly on-trend, not just during autumn, but all year around.

Why Is That Relevant To Trends?

No one likes feeling left out – uh, hello FOMO – so when we hear about new trends, we often blindly follow them. The danger here is that we opt into trends that just aren’t suited for us and are popularised by a tiny group of people on the internet who fit today’s standard of beauty. Now, you can do literally whatever you want. However, if you’re a conscious fashionista and prefer to invest in pieces to last you years, you might want to spend some time analysing your own body, first.

With that being said, let’s move onto what’s currently trending so you can pick and choose what works for you and what doesn’t. The reality is, not everything that’s trending right now will suit your body type or colouring. And that’s okay. You will always look good in cuts, fabrics and colours that are perfectly suited to your body shape and colouring.

Jackets + Coats

Oversized Blazer Jackets

Currently, I’m seeing lots of blazer inspired coat jackets on my feed. They’re usually boxy cuts, oversized, in a block colour and often collarless. What I love about these coats is that I think they look quite classic and timeless. So, if you wanted to buy into this trend, I think these types of coats will serve you for the next few years to come. If not longer, because I really think it’s time I invested in a good quality coat like this!

Long, Oversized Coats

Coming back for another season is the oversized coat trend. We saw the oversized leather trench all over social media last year and similarly this year too. The wet-look coat is definitely the most popular choice. However, I think the style in general is what’s capturing people this year. Not only are these type of coats very practical, but they look really good on most people, too. Investing in a weather-proof, trench. or mac style coat is a safe choice.

Vintage-inspired Leather Jackets

The worn-out look is taking over, and although I’m not seeing it as often at the moment, I can guarantee that vintage looking jackets will be all the rage soon enough. I’m seeing a mix of lengths, too. Some cropped, some oversized, some long. I think this will be a short-lived trend, so possibly not one to invest in too much or at all. This is because ‘distressed’ or ‘worn’ clothing tend to look even more worn over the years and you are essentially buying it as the peak of it’s life, therefore if the ‘worn’ trend dies down, you’ll be left with a rather tatty looking coat.

Jumpers

Fisherman Jumper

Obviously jumpers have their time to shine every autumn and winter, but this year I’m seeing everyone sport the ‘Fisherman knit’. This style is a thick, chunky knitted, round-neck type of jumper, seen in multiple colours. I think the resurgence of this trend coincided with the annual rewatch of Gilmore Girls. Rory is seen in an adorable cream, oversized fisherman jumper in season one and everyone’s going nuts. And I can totally see why. This jumper is the ultimate ‘sweet-small-town-girl’ vibe we all so desperately want to associate with.

Shoes

UGG Slippers

Nothing in this section will shock you, as they have all been worn obsessively over the summer months. But I do believe they won’t be going anywhere any time soon. It wouldn’t be right to not include UGGs in this part simply because they are the cosy girl shoe of autumn. As it gets colder, more and more people will opt to wear these with socks, especially indoors. I think as it gets frostier, people will make the smart decision to keep these shoes for indoor purposes only as they are extremely impractical.

Loafers

Loafers are also making the list, even though I don’t think they are a practical choice for autumn, either. Unless you plan on spending your waking hours indoors, these are definitely just an ‘aesthetic’ shoe. There’s no doubt that they are super chic, but my biggest gripe with these types of shoes is the ‘breaking them in’ part. I personally opt for shoes that do not require a ‘wear in before wearing out’ period, purely because I prefer shoes to be comfortable from the minute I pay for them. If you’re into the minimalist, preppy vibe, I think these will be great for you, however, I doubt you’ll find a comfortable pair without spending $$$.

Knee High Boots

Knee High Boots for autumn? Groundbreaking. But seriously, these make the rounds every year. Sometimes the pattern’s change, sometimes the height, sometimes the heel shape. But generally, if you want to invest in this trend, I would say ‘go for it!’. It really is a shoe I don’t ever see going out of style.

Birkenstock Bostons (with socks)

I’m currently trying to talk myself out of buying these, but i’m really, REALLY, in love with them. I actually think they are some of the cutest shoes at the moment. And that’s because I’m still clinging onto the coastal grandma vibe of summer. However, I do think these are a short-lived trend purely because every Birkenstock marketing email i’ve received has been every other shoe but this one. To me, it’s obvious they are trying to use our current obsession with the Boston’s to encourage us to buy a different pair of sandals that probably aren’t selling as well.

Colours

Cherry Red

The most obvious one. It’s literally everywhere. And on everything! Bags, boots, jackets – you name it. This colour is very reminiscent of the 90s to me. I’m really not surprised that this colour is making its way into fashion, considering how much the 90s era is influencing our fashion at the moment. I embrace it with open arms, but i won’t be buying into the cherry red simply because the colour doesn’t suit me. However, I am considering changing my nail polish colour to a darker, cherry red. Thought?

Olive Green

This colour definitely makes sense considering the season we’re in. We are seeing green turn into yellow and then into orange in the form of leaves. What does green fading into yellow look like? Olive green. I have to say, I’m absolutely in love with any shade of green, but olive definitely takes the cake. In fact, I just received the cutest olive green handbag! Check my instagram to see it!

Chocolate Brown

Dark chocolate is a deeper, richer version of last year’s brown. Though I think this season’s Cherry Red has highly influenced this particular shade of brown. Both are sultry, sophisticated and elegant. It makes sense that this brown shade is making the rounds this year. It’s been extremely popular for many years prior. Right now, I’m seeing it on nails, shoes and jackets, but variations of this shade will make its way into knitwear, skirts and bags. I think it nicely ties in with the plaid print, too, which is also very on-trend for autumn!

Influential years

70s + 90s

We are seeing both the 90s and 70s make a simultaneous statement this year. And I’m so glad. I absolutely love the patterns, fabrics and cuts associated with both the 70s and the 90s. The 70s has bell bottoms, vests, and cowboy boots and the 90s has leather jackets and boat neck jumpers. ALL of these are so on-trend for autumn.

Patterns + Textures

To coincide with the above points, it makes sense that plaid and other academic-inspired patterns are totally in right now. That charming, old-english countryside aesthetic is absolutely growing more and more popular by the day and I feel as we creep further into autumn and into winter, it will only become more popular.

Likewise, textures like worn leathers are also big, as previously mentioned. You know what this mens though right? It means vintage leather jackets from thrift stores are going to be sparse! If this is your vibe, definitely see whats available in your local thrift shop before buying brand new.

Style Is So Subjective…

I’m definitely feeling the motivation to dress and style myself better this year and I think it’s down to the love I have for each individual ‘trend’. Likewise, I know more than half of these will still be just as popular next year and possibly the year after, so if you are looking to spice up your wardrobe whilst looking effortlessly on-trend this autumn, consider all of these trends above. Make sure to take what suits you, and leave what doesn’t.

And it goes without saying, you don’t need to par-take in any of these trends to look good. Figuring out your colour season and body type can do wonders. Style is so personal that i’d never want you to walk away thinking that ‘if you don’t own a single thing on this list, that your taste and preferences aren’t ‘good enough’. That’s simply not true.

Comment below what pieces you’re going to incorporate into your wardrobe this autumn. Likewise, if you have any tips of how YOU look on-trend during autumn, please comment them below!