I'm a Stylist— 7 Basics I Always Buy at This Time of Year
You might think working in fashion means a closet full of extravagant clothes waiting at home. Feathers getting tangled up in sequins and elegant dresses for last-minute soirées hanging effortlessly next to vintage designer gems. Well, I’m sure some fashion insiders’ wardrobes are like that, but as a stylist of almost 10 years, I can tell you that mine is almost the opposite. Having seen so many trends and cult items come and go, I always seem to revert to the classics—basic items that can be layered together year after year, albeit in stylish and sometimes new ways to create outfits that you can always rely on.
I wear this Arket blazer so much, year after year.
At the beginning of the season especially, you won’t often find me shopping for loud or statement pieces. I usually take this opportunity to take stock of what I already have and what might be the most useful pieces to update or invest in to make my existing wardrobe work as hard as possible throughout the coming months. In autumn, that mostly involves topping up on layering items, refreshing crisp white shirts and surveying which key coat or boot style I might be missing. Although these items might not be the most exciting purchases, in the past, I’ve found that even just a few simple buys like this can really make the rest of your wardrobe feel much less tired as well.
Keep scrolling, then, and you’ll find a helpful edit of the basic autumn pieces a fashion editor actually buys at this time of year. From knits to blazers, these are without doubt the most useful items you could invest in for the season ahead…
1. Blazer
2. Shirting
3. Jeans
4. Boots
5. Useful Layers
6. Knitwear
7. Coat
Up Next: I'm an Editor—This Is Where I Secretly Shop for the Best Leather Pieces
This post was previously published and has since been updated.
Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.
Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.
Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.
When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.
Emily is currently on maternity leave.
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