I Spot Trends for a Living, So Trust Me—These Are the 3 Autumn Pieces to Buy Now

Lisa Aiken is Net-a-Porter’s retail fashion director, aka the woman responsible for our extensive wish lists and dented wallets. She’s something of an oracle for the Who What Wear UK team. We trust her every recommendation (and attend her seasonal trend presentations without fail); we look to her wardrobe choices and unwaveringly cool NAP edit to make our own moves; and now, she’s a regular columnist here on the site—hurrah! This month, it’s all about how she’s getting her wardrobe ready for the new season.

It’s nearly September, which means it’s the end of summer and back-to-school season. Like everyone else in London, I’ve been enjoying the European heat wave (I think I only moaned once or twice), summer Fridays and never having to wear a jacket (even in the evenings). However, I’m really looking forward to getting back into my autumn routine and heading off to shows for fashion month. I’m also ready to start investing in some key buys for the new season ahead. Keep scrolling to see my top three must-have autumn items that will help you get back to reality.

1. Low Heels

If you’ve been reading my Who What Wear columns, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of heels. My everyday go-tos were 100-millimetre heels (until very recently, when I started embracing sneakers). But heading into September, I need good transition shoes I can wear all day. They also have to be comfortable enough to see me through the fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris. So first up on my wish list are The Row’s best-selling Nude sandals. They’ll work perfectly with a slip dress and a blazer (my current favourite outfit combination), and because of their lower heel height, they look effortless and chic.

Related: Winter 2018 Fashion Trends: The Only Looks You Need to Know

2. Blazers

Next up is tailoring, and specifically, the blazer (which I’m addicted to). Whether you pair it with pants, shorts or a skirt, it’s a fail-safe wardrobe staple. And if you want to leave your blazer at home but wear the matching trousers, update the look with a coordinating shirt. Just pick a colour and make it tonal.

Related: The 5 Ankle Boot Trends That We're Really Into

3. A Sensible Bag

After seasons of using a mini bag for essentials and having to carry a larger tote to fit everything else, we’ve finally upscaled with more sensibly proportioned styles. Whether it’s a satchel or a top-handle bag, we’re now able to fit our phone, wallet and keys (with maybe a little extra room for a KeepCup) without having to compromise on style. My top buy is Wandler’s Luna bag: It’s the perfect combination of a compelling price point and interesting design. And keep your eyes peeled for Gu_de, a South Korean brand launching on Net-a-Porter next month.

Next up, see our guide to the key trends for autumn/winter 2018.