jeans-street-style

8 fashion week-approved staple items to add to your wardrobe this autumn

12 March 2019

Here's another excuse for a wardrobe update.

It’s autumn, so here’s another excuse for a wardrobe update.

There’s no doubt the lines between summer and autumn dressing can be blurred when there’s a mix of rain, gloomy clouds and unpredictable 26-degree heat, all in the space of three hours.

When the average New Zealand day has more erratic weather changes than you and your PMS mood swings, it can be hard to nail an outfit, let alone a whole wardrobe to get you through a season. Dressing for four-seasons-in-one day can most definitely be tricky, especially when you’re forever enticed to add new things to your wardrobe.

So we’re here to be that steady hand that guides you in the right direction for the items you need and give you the back up that yep, they’re totally a need and not a greed.

Taking inspo from Paris Fashion Week, scroll for our top picks of the staple items you need to get you through autumn:

jeans-street-style

1/8

A good pair of jeans

‘Jeans and a nice top’ is a famous saying for a reason and that’s because they’re the bread and butter that holds a good outfit together. With so many jeans on offer, finding your favourite style that you ultimately feel the most comfortable in is the key to wearing this classic throughout the seasons – without getting sick at the sight of them. Because it doesn’t feel like igloo season just yet, we recommend a style on the baggy side, such as a good ‘mom’, ‘boyfriend’ or ‘ripped’ style to avoid feeling hot, sticky and bothered.

2/8

A lightweight jumper

With temperatures dropping and crispier mornings creeping in, a lightweight but snuggly knit won’t go amiss. Adding this lightweight piece will get you through the coming weeks without worry and assure that in those freak-rain spells you’re not left out in the cold—literally. Plus in the mornings, it doubles for a nice cosy blanket when you don’t wanna crawl out of bed.

trench-coat-fashion

3/8

A trench-coat

No matter how good you may be at Facebook stalking, no trench coat will make you look like a spy so you have no excuse not to own one. A trench is an easy way to provide versatility and warmth to an outfit without ridiculously rugging up. This classic wardrobe essential has had so many updates and reinventions over the years so your options are endless – but we’re loving the basic colourways in particular: beige, duck-egg blue, checked, black or grey.

4/8

A special blouse

Now, when we say a special blouse we don’t mean special like one that holds a cutesy memory of your first date – but we’re talking about a blouse that makes you feel amazing because it’s got a point of difference and can take an outfit from zero to hero, stat. A hero blouse is a key piece to keep in your wardrobe for the so-so days; something to bring a little bit of extra to your ‘good pair of jeans’ and kitten heels look. This season puff sleeves, open backs and frill detailing are dominating the blouse game.

5/8

A pair of boots

Nancy Sinatra wrote her song about boots for very good reason – not just because they’re made for walking in all seasons and letting the rain know who’s boss, but because they’re so god-damn good-looking, too. Although there’s no denying your love for your Birkenstocks, with the colder seasons approaching, say ta-ta to the open-toe and replace with a clean and fashion-forward boot — a good pair can really be an outfit game-changer.

An eye-catching hair accessory

6/8

An eye-catching hair accessory

A trend that is going to be massive throughout autumn is the hair accessory. Bows, clips, printed pins, headbands — you name it, this trend is on the rise and will hit fast. Whatever length your locks may be, there’s an accessory for everyone and it can instantly elevate your look by adding a touch of finesse with effortless ease.

blue-pants

7/8

A pair of lightweight pants

Nothing feels better than being able to breathe in your clothing while still looking fashionable and on trend. Opt  for a pair of linen or cotton pants for the ultimate style and comfortable addition to your autumn ‘drobe. Pair with anything from a crisp shirt to a loose-fitting tee and blazer combo to a baggy knit — these pants are effortlessly cool all year round. What a dream.

A silk skirt

8/8

A silk skirt

Okay, so you’re after an item that’s formal enough to wear round the office but also casual enough to be paired with a baggy tee and denim jacket? Yeah, we felt your struggle, up until the introduction of the silk midi in our lives. It’s a piece that admittedly has been around for a while, but after several seasons of wear, we can now appreciate just how much of a trans-seasonal wonder it really is. 

Share:

Sign up & Join
FQ Insider

Unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special offers by becoming an FQ Insider.

JOIN FQ INSIDER
Fashion Quarterly Winter 2023 Cover
Fashion Quarterly Winter 2023 Cover

Sign up & Join
FQ Insider

Unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special offers by becoming an FQ Insider.

Copyright © 2023 Elcoat Media Limited. All rights reserved. 

Privacy

Terms and Conditions

Don’t miss a thing. Sign up to FQ’s weekly newsletter.

*Ts&Cs apply.
Find out more at fq.co.nz/fq-newsletter.