The Key Autumn Pieces You Can Buy Now, Whatever Your Budget

Do you save money up ahead of a new season in order to tick off all your favourite trends in one fell swoop? Are you a shopper who seeks things out slowly to compile a wardrobe or look over time? Perhaps you're a die-hard high-street girl looking for one fast update. Or maybe you're like me, in that you'd be interested in buying into some fresh trends by purchasing preloved clothes and accessories.

Whatever your strategy may be for adding a dash of autumn/winter 2019 to your existing closet, we're here to provide you with the very best options. That happens on a daily basis via our many shopping features, but this particular gallery is a concise edit of autumnal game changers you can buy at any price point—high, low or even secondhand.

I’ve spent some time thinking about the items that are most likely to shape our looks over the coming months, rather than attempting to give you a list of every single trend. A more concise edit will hopefully help you sidestep any grab-on-a-whim mistakes; moreover, these items all go together, so you can mix and match like a true capsule-wardrobe pro.

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GOLD CHAIN
(Image credit: @ch.phr8ph)

If there's one final flourish all fashion girls are going for, it's a chunky gold chain. From the jumbo styles seen on the J.W. Anderson runway (which you can shop below, while it stays in stock) to slightly daintier horse-bit–link styles, there's an option for every magpie. Wear with everything from a printed dress to the most minimalistic of jumpers.

The Best Designer Option

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The Best Vintage Option

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LEATHER BLAZER
(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Your leather biker isn't dead yet, but it does deserve a well-earned rest for now. Coming in strong (with '70s-, '80s- and '90s-inspired versions) is the leather blazer instead. Many girls are opting for oversized versions (for which the '80s and '90s provide fully), but you can also opt for something neater and sleeker. Your choice. Oh, and don't forget that vegan leather is a thing now.

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PLEATED SKIRT
(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Drag out your old pleated Whistles skirt because it's time to let it shine once more! Perfect with a simple knit, a leather blazer and a gold chain necklace, this is the ultimate wear-for-every-occasion piece, and we're happy it's back. If you're going to buy vintage, I'd suggest opting for heritage brands as they've been doing pleated skirts forever—seek out Burberry, Aquascutum, Bally and so on.

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TRENCH COAT
(Image credit: @modedamour)

Trench coats never go out of fashion, but right now, the most on-trend iteration is anything a little roomier. So either size up on a high-street version or opt for one of the more voluminous designer pieces available now. And of course, when in doubt, zero in on a classic secondhand Burberry number.

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PUMPS
(Image credit: @pernilleteisbaek)

Curvy-heeled, low-cut and slip-on, there's a trend bubbling for these kind of pumps right now. Bottega Veneta leads the charge, but you can find excellent '80s secondhand versions and some pretty fab styles on the high street.

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WIDE-LEG TROUSERS
(Image credit: @tineandrea)

It may have been a while since you last wore wide-leg trousers, but they're coming back strong for autumn and often being used in the place of jeans. Arket is our high-street go-to.

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GROWN-UP HANDBAG
(Image credit: @gxiayan)

From frame bags to understated shoulder bags, right now there's a wave of very sophisticated, subtle and timeless styles coming through in the arm candy department. Pick out a neutral colour like tan, fawn or brown, and you'll have a piece you can use and love forever.

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CASHMERE KNIT
(Image credit: @deborarosa)

A luxe jumper is the backbone of any decent autumn/winter wardrobe, and this season's styles are as cosy as they come. Look out for biscuit-coloured cashmere (Uniqlo is a great option on the high street), and just see how rich you look in and instant.

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UTILITY JUMPSUIT
(Image credit: @handinfire)

The summer's booming boilersuit trend shows no sign of abating—utility style is all over the A/W 19 runways. Simply switch out your sandals for boots and when it gets really cold, try layering a little roll-neck underneath.

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PRINTED MIDI DRESS
(Image credit: @martine)

Like the boilersuit, the 2019 trends for printed prairie dresses is set to continue. Look for darker prints, demure necklines, ruffles, paisleys, florals and midi-length hemlines. This is one of my personal favourites to buy secondhand, as the trend stems from the '70s anyway.

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Knee-High Boots
(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

The simpler, the better. I promise you'll get so much wear out of a decent pair of knee-high boots. They'll go with a great deal of your existing wardrobe, especially dresses, midi skirts and even (if you're brave enough) with trousers or jeans tucked in.

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Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.