6 easy new-season updates

Styling out the summer-to-autumn switch over

It's London Fashion Week! A few years ago this would have meant spending the weekend dashing around town to watch the shows, pretending not to gawp at famous people on the front row, getting blisters in gorgeous but impractical shoes and generally having a jolly old time of it. This weekend I went to a four-year-old’s Frozen party. My, how times have changed.

Still though, there's something about September, more so than any other month, that feels like the start of something new - even if the closest you're getting to a catwalk is Tesco’s baby food aisle.

Back from holiday, back to school, back to decent telly and time for a wardrobe switch up. Different silhouettes, colours, fabrics, etc. It’s exiting. I've always found autumn such a great season for getting dressed. Cold enough to layer but not yet thermal vest territory.

Tricky, too. The sudden jump from summer dresses and sandals to jumpers and boots can throw the best of us. I've been both over and underdressed this week - as have the kids.

What I find helps enormously at this point of the year, are a few little updaters to make me feel seasonally appropriate and up-to-date. And while the FROW won't be benefitting from my lewks, those tiny Elsas won’t know what's hit them.

The relaxed bomber

When it comes to transeasonal jackets, there's obviously a trench. The barn jacket is also having a moment. But there’s something about this season's bomber jackets that feel particularly right. Less sporty and puffy, in a slimmer quilt and with a slightly longer length, they have a more refined look but still that chuck-on ease.

This from Whistles (£135.20) in the khaki colourway has a heritage vibe that would look great with a chunky jumper and jeans in the pub. It's also going to make your leggings and jogger outfits look more styled. Big pockets too!

Adding in a link to Sézane’s leopard print bomber, too. It's more of a jumper/jacket hybrid and would introduce the most glorious texture to playground outfits. Sézane is particularly good at doing leopard in a non-corny, luxe way.

The outside slipper

Even though it's apparently going to warm up a bit next week, sandals feel done for the year and it’s all about a closed-toe now (unless it's a Birk/Birk-a-like with a nice sock). There's a particularly challenging slip-on clog shape doing the rounds, which is thanks to The Row’s Hugo shoe. Roksanda’s new FitFlop collab also has a version… I’m not so sure.

HOWEVER a slipper-type shoe is a great holding style until boot season. The loafer detailing on these (£90) give a classic look which works well with jeans. Shearling for added indoor/outdoor cosiness.

The boxy knit

The beauty of this season’s slightly shorter, boxier knitwear is that they’re the right shape to wear with wide and barrel-leg jeans. And you don't get a bulky waistband from tucking them in. This from Arket (£67) also comes in burgundy, aka the colour of the season.

The wide cords

We spoke about jeans last week, but if you fancy a denim alternative then cords are everywhere right now. A wider, slouchier cut is going to keep them from looking too retro. These from M&S (£39.50) are that super dark shade of brown which means you can wear them with your black shoes and bags as well as tan, brown and white (trainers). Hush also has a brilliant pair of chocolate cords launching in October.

The knitted neckerchief

Little head scarves were a thing over the summer (see Alexa Chung, Pixie Geldof, Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner). The intended effect is 60’s Hollywood glamour. Or the Royals on horseback (fashion loves a semi-ironic Balmoral reference). However, I find they make me look like I’m doing fancy dress pirate, so thank goodness it's more about wearing a cute scarf knotted around your neck and shoulders for autumn.

This knitted neckerchief (£49) is such a great way to add a pop of colour to your basic knits – not to mention keep you warm. It’s not too bulky if you’re wearing a baby carrier, and it won’t flap around when running after kids. Note the blanket stitch which elevates the whole thing.

That's all for now. You're doing great, Frankie x