Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
There’s something about September’s mood that sparks my need to shop. It’s all thanks to the sense of reset; the annual reinvent your look (and life) we tend to adopt as soon as the summer term closes.
But brilliantly, this season there’s a set of simple styling tweaks you can enlist to do all of the resetting, reinventing and refreshing for you – without splurging too much cash.
You already have the building blocks of your autumn wardrobe. The update comes from switching up how you wear them and what you accessorise with. These are the low effort, and relatively cheap, fashion insider hacks that will transform your look.
Belt your blazer
Influencer Ellie Delphine at Copenhagen Fashion Week
You likely have one (or a few) of these trusty jackets hanging on your rail, but this season’s alteration is to try belting it. Oversized, pinstriped, bright or neutral – whatever the cut or colour, your much-needed update is to give it a waist. Cinch yourself in with a statement buckle style, a looped design or just your trusty jeans belt. Matching the belt to the shade of your blazer will make the ensemble look far more expensive than it is – or if you’re unsure, you can’t go wrong with plain gold buckled black. Feeling extra? Do it like the Danish fashion pack and stack two, or even three, skinny belts around your waist at the same time.
Haute hosiery
Model Vera van Erp at Copenhagen Fashion Week
We’re not quite into sheer tights territory just yet, so for now, it’s all about your sock drawer. Elevate the simplest of ballet pumps or loafers with ankle length stockings. When it comes to thickness, stick to thin cotton styles with sleek flats and try woolier, chunky versions with clogs or lug soled shoes. White or cream is the most popular choice, or if you want a neutral that will blend better, go for brown, grey and black. For the brave, red colour pop socks are also trending – clash yours with indigo denim, charcoal trews or a tartan kilt. Falke supplies some of the best styles you can buy. Or bag a multipack from Uniqlo.
One big buy? Make it suede
A guest at New York Fashion Week
If you invest in one statement piece this autumn, be it a bag, skirt, jacket or coat, make sure it’s suede. Deep coffee brown is the shade to stick to. If you can, the luxury London label, De Savary, named after it’s founder, Tash de Savary, is the label to invest in. But there’s no need to break the bank buying the real deal if you’re on a budget. There are plenty of soft, lush faux hide designs on the high street to snap up.
Scarf appeal
Influencer Cherifa Akili at Hamburg Fashion Week
The slinky accessory to covet? It’s a scarf. Wrap it around your hair, knot it over your shoulders, tie it in a bow on your bag handle or even belt your blazer with it. Be it silk, satin or a woollen woven style, this simple slip of fabric will elevate the plainest of ensembles. It’s a fool-proof way to inject colour or a splash of print into your look.
Layer up (and tuck!)
Influencer Carla Ginola at New York Fashion Week
Want to look in-the-know? Layer your layers. To create an outfit with depth, wear thermals, under shirts, under blazers, under jackets and coats. Maximising the wear of the pieces in your wardrobe is du jour. The trick is to pair similar neutrals and stack contrasting textures. Try a cotton polo neck with a denim overshirt. Or a leather jacket with wool and silk, or even suede with sharp poplin and sequins. To avoid looking bulky, French tuck longer layers into the front of your waistband. The easiest way to outfit stack is by using a good shirt as your starting point and add items under and over it.
Take it tonal
Influencer Nina Sandbech at Copenhagen Fashion Week
Wearing one shade from head-to-toe is a fail safe way to look like you mean business. Navy, grey, brown and beige are probably in your wardrobe already, but the shade to shop now is burgundy. From oxblood boots, to maroon knits and plum outerwear, swathe yourself in block cherry tones – just make sure to mix up the textures to build an immaculate tonal outfit.
Fake the XL clutch bag
Influencer Hollie Mercedes Peters at Copenhagen Fashion Week
This season it’s not about what bag you carry – it’s about how you carry it. Seen on the front row at Copenhagen Fashion Week last month and on the pavements of New York this week, It-girls, editors and fashion moguls are scooping up their slouchy totes and carrying them underarm, rather than over their shoulders. That’s right, arm candy is now more like, err, armpit candy. If you want to look effortlessly on trend, make like one of the Red Roses and clutch your bag as though you’re holding onto a rugby ball. Let the straps flop over and bundle it up. In this way it gives the illusion of a luxe XL clutch bag, rather than your standard tote. Extra style points if it’s made of soft leather or sumptuous suede.
