Both the spring and the autumn are my favourite times of year. I’m not a fan of being too hot (so I never go on holiday during the summer) and there’s nothing worse than shivering in the cold of winter.
During those extreme temperatures of summer and winter, I simply don’t know what to wear. I never seem to have clothing light enough for hot days nor cosy enough for cold temperatures. My wardrobe is just not quite right, no matter what the weather has in store for me during those months.
However, spring and autumn are another matter: I find it much easier to dress during those months, even though the weather can be unpredictable. In the UK, we sometimes see a mix of sunny yet chilly days, or the temperature can fluctuate wildly over just a few hours.
But I’ve become accustomed to dressing for the changeable weather and those in-between seasons. And today, I’m hoping to share some of my tips to help you make the most of your existing outfits so that you can enjoy the autumn in comfort, without splashing out on a whole new wardrobe.
Base layers are your friend
The main key to staying comfortable and stylish during the autumn is to add base layers to your usual outfits. That way, you can continue wearing your spring and summer ensembles in the cooler weather, allowing you to get the most out of your existing wardrobe without having to buy whole new autumn outfits.
If you’re able to keep wearing your favourite sleeveless dress or short skirt during the colder months, you’re getting the most wear out of your outfits, therefore minimising the overall cost of it: the more often you wear a piece of clothing, the lower its cost-per-wear.
So a £50 dress will be only £5 per wear if you can wear it ten times this year. And that’ll soon be halved if you can manage to wear it 20 times – or you might even get it down to just £1 per wear if you use it once each week. However, you’ll only be able to achieve this if you’ve got the right base layers.
That’s because a lovely long-sleeved t-shirt can transform any sleeveless dress into a cold-weather-ready outfit. Add a base layer in a rich autumnal shade as a nod to the season and make sure it’s paired with the accessories below to make it extra cosy to wear throughout the ‘ber months.
I’ve even made my lightweight summer trousers suitable for the autumn by adding a pair of leggings or tights underneath them. The key here is to make sure you’ve got close-fitting shapewear or activewear leggings so that they don’t become baggy beneath your jeans or trousers. You’ll enjoy the insulating warmth of an extra pair and noon will know you’re wearing them under your floaty, wide-leg trousers.
Layering pieces from getheyshape.com
Top layers regulate temperature
The easiest solution for making any outfit work for the autumn is to add a top later. Or two. This could be a cardigan, a shacket, a lightweight coat or a poncho. The key is to have a couple of layers than you can add on or take off at a moment’s notice if the weather changes.
I found that a trench coat does wonders for each season of year – I’ve previously shown you how to style a trench during the spring, summer and autumn. It’s such a versatile piece that you’ll probably get lots of wear out of it, bringing the cost-per-wear right down.
It’s annoying to be stuck overheating in a big coat if the sun comes out during the autumn. Likewise, you can quickly become chilly if the weather takes a turn for the worse during the day. Pulling on a cardi over your tee, and then adding a light shacket over the top of that locks in warm air between the layers, adding an insulating effect.
Accessorise to stay snug
Don’t underestimate the power of a woolly accessory. Throwing a scarf around your neck will block out cold winds and will keep you feeling cosy, even in the lightest jacket.
I always have a snood with me in the autumn that I can tuck into my coat or cardi, as this turns any top into a roll-neck, instantly making me feel warmer.
Plus, we’ve always been told that you lose most of your body heat through your head. While this might be a myth, it certainly helps to keep you cosy if you’ve got a beanie hat on your head.
In fact, even popping a knitted headband around your head helps to keep you feeling cosy because it protects your ears from the cold winds. I made my own headband for autumn using the knit-along step-by-step tutorial by Alice at learntoknitonline so you could do the same and make a custom headband in your favourite colours.
Always wear ankle boots
The ultimate footwear solution for the autumn is ankle boots. That’s because they go with everything – dresses, trousers, tights – but they’ll also keep your feet dry.
There’s nothing worse than accidentally soaking your trainers in a puddle after an unexpected shower; you end up with cold, soggy socks for the rest of the day. So I will put on ankle boots with just about every outfit to keep my feet dry.
Plus, you can add chunky socks inside your boots on those frosty mornings to help keep your toes extra toasty. Fold the cuff of your socks over the top of the ankle boots to add a lovely autumnal knitted texture to your ensemble, whilst enjoying the cocooning feel of an extra pair of socks.
I hope these ideas will help you to wear your wardrobe throughout the colder months. What other hacks do you have to make your wardrobe autumn-ready? Please let me know your seasonal fashion tips in the comments section below. Stay cosy!
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