Style by Claire Lopez

Clever layering: all you need to get you through the autumn

The other day I must have put on and taken off my sweater at least twenty times within the space of an afternoon. Because we are now entering that tricky time of year when your t-shirt just won’t suffice and you need something else to layer over the top.

So here are the key styles to see you through until we hit winter coat time.

The Blazer

The boyfriend blazer is here to stay and this Black Easy Boyfriend Blazer £119 from Mint Velvet is very nice.

Another classic is this Hush Black Jacket £75. It is a longer line style so just be careful if you are on the shorter side (like me) that you don’t look like you have borrowed your dad’s jacket. Oversized is a thing, but still…You can wear this with a tee, jeans and trainers for a more casual look or pair with boots/heels/flats to smarten yourself up. This is definitely a trousers blazer so don’t put it with a dress.

Warehouse also has this Ruched Sleeve Jacket £59 which also comes in navy and a dark red.

 

I also like this Ruched Sleeve Soft Blazer £50 from Oasis at House of Fraser but is only available in certain sizes.

For something a bit softer and hugely on trend, go check because this season it’s all about the checked blazer. Try Mango’s Prince of Wales Blazer £69.99. While the matchy matchy combo is also a thing, you don’t have to do the whole look and this will work just as well with tailored trousers for work or you can dress down with denim and flats.

Or there is also this Textured Blazer £56 at Warehouse.

If you dare, then red is the colour of the season so add some punch to your outfit with the aptly named Ultimate Red Suit Jacket £65 from Oasis and go full-on ringmaster with matching trews!

The Trench

The great thing about a trench is that it is truly versatile and you can wear one to work as well as at the weekend. Over a tailored dress, yes. Over denim and trainers, yes. So it’s a hard working piece which is super useful.

M&S has a great selection of trenches from the more fashionable, longer line styles like this  Autograph Cotton Blend Trench Coat with Stormwear £89 but it is sold out in all sizes except 10,12 and 14.

Or this M&S Collection Pure Cotton Trench with Stormwear £79 which comes in sand, navy and olive.

Or this Cotton Rich Trench Coat with Stormwear £99 – probably my favourite but I am far too small to pull this off I fear.

To his more traditional, and shorter, Belted Trench with Stormwear £45. Buttoned up and belted these all look so stuffy, but undo them and wear open and you have a very modern look.

Warehouse has this Check Lined Trench £89.

The Leather Jacket

All Saints is the obvious place to score a leather jacket but it is an investment – my favourite is the Papin £380 because it is slim fitting and actually gives you shape through the waist rather than doing a Meatloaf on you. Big leather jackets are a fashion trend right now but they certainly don’t work for the masses so stick to something that works for your body.

Slight cheat here as this was on last week’s blog but the Hush Onyx Leather Jacket £295 is great in either black or the softer grey. You can’t beat a leather jacket for wearing with dresses, skirts, joggers, trousers, denim….

For around the £100 mark Oasis has this Leather Biker Jacket £160.

Or if you are on a budget, then go pleather. I have one from Topshop that is great but this Faux Leather Biker Jacket £58 from Oasis is great.

Or they have the Lucy £50 which comes in a deep green or a burgundy if black is not your poison.

If you like the look but leather isn’t your thing, then suede can be a nice softer alternative and this Black Suede Layer Jacket £279 from Mint Velvet will work well with more or less all your wardrobe.

The Anorak

It’s ok now to own an anorak, it’s officially a fashion thing thanks to the Vetements brand. But if you find the terminology off-putting, lightweight parker would also do the job. I like the khaki colour of this Lightweight Parka £149 at Mint Velvet.

Zara’s Water Repellent Parka £49.99 comes in this colour and a sky blue.

Or there is also this style £49.99 – also handily called Water Repellent Parka but not the same style as the previous one.

Finally, there is this Water Repellent Parka £89.99 with removable hood. This is slightly heavier than the rest of the styles.

Uniqlo has its Blocktech Hooded Raincoat £69.90 which is wind and water repellent and comes in navy, light grey and black.

At H&M they have this Hooded Parka £49.99 but not a mention of any water repelling or proofing here so you take your chances… It comes in black, light khaki and a rather unappealing looking burgundy.

And another chancer here with this Quilt Lined Parka £39.99 at New Look which comes in black, grey or stone.

So with the skies looking decidedly grey and the temperature falling, I am reaching for my biker – the trench and blazer are definitely on the shopping list.

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