As we enter the new season, pack away our summer clothes and prepare ourselves for the inevitable wardrobe change, we’ve taken inspiration from some of London’s fashion industry critics to help keep you stylish yet practical and ready to fully embrace the A/W you.
Citizen Femme speaks to four fashion insiders about the pieces on their wish lists, the brands they reach for season after season and the items they’ll be re-wearing this Autumn.
Gemma Louise Deeks, Contributing Fashion Editor at Citizen Femme
Citizen Femme’s Gemma Louise Deeks has spent 10 years as a fashion editor and stylist and has her finger on the pulse of the most covetable brands to invest in.
Which brands do you typically reach for every autumn/winter season and why?
COS always has amazing knitwear and affordable options for cashmere – they can do no wrong in my eyes! Toteme is one of my favourite brands and I always look to buy an investment piece from them, regardless of the season. Their coats and jackets are timeless. The last few seasons I’ve invested in a new Saint Laurent bag, as I know it’s a piece I will love forever. The Le 5 à 7 leather shoulder bag is my favourite bag for city living.
Are there any trends that you will be buying into?
’90s minimalism is a trend that aligns with me personally. I love simple silk slip dresses and will layer them with over-the-knee boots and a chunky sweater this September. Leather was also heavily seen on the runways and I’ve just bought an amazing COS leather jacket that was sold out everywhere but I managed to find it brand new on Vinted a great platform for sourcing items that are hard to find. I’m currently obsessed with cropped Bouclé jackets so will definitely be investing in a classic style this season.
Do you have a typical autumn/winter style?
My personal style is quite minimal, so I lean towards good denim, chunky knitwear in neutral colours and a beautifully tailored trench coat. This season I’ll be swapping loafers for ballet flats and carrying a smooth leather bucket bag from DeMellier.
Which pieces from your own wardrobe will you be re-wearing this season?
I have a few Bouguessa coats from my time working with the brand, which are forever pieces that I will love for years. I love my black turtleneck bodysuits from Commando that come out every autumn; they are staple items that go with everything and work for any occasion. I’ll wear these under my Nanushka vegan leather trousers, one of the most worn items in my wardrobe. I bought a pair of black knee-high boots last season from Reformation which I’m excited to get out again and wear with skirts and under denim.
What pieces are on your wish list?
Belma Guadio, Founder of KOIBIRD
Seasoned traveller and entrepreneur Belma Gaudio, who also serves as creative director of fashion concept store KOIBIRD, has an eclectic style that offers a sense of escapism, regardless of the season.
Which brands do you typically reach for every autumn/winter season and why?
I look for products I like rather than brands, so each season I am all over the map brand-wise and wouldn’t call myself loyal to any particular brand. However, I have some favourites that I go to at KOIBIRD, especially Area, Rodarte and Rowen Rose which I wear each season. I do love a good Chanel investment as it’s always in style and is something I will never get bored of. And I tend to go for knitwear at Loro Piana, especially recently as they have elevated their designs and the cashmere quality is second to none.
Are there any trends that you will be buying into?
Riveted and studded is a trend I am into, so I will do a mixture of some Alaia riveted looks, Iindaco studded kitten heels from KOIBIRD, and an oversized studded Khaite denim or leather jacket. I also just purchased a studded vintage Chanel bucket bag.
Do you have a typical autumn/winter style?
I buy very few on-trend pieces, but when I do, I opt for ready-to-wear items and shoes that I mix with clothes that are already in my wardrobe. I like to have a new or interesting top or bottom, then I pair that with something comfortable. So for me it’s all about mixing one trendy purchase with a more relaxed piece so I am not trying too hard. So, I’ll tend to get one great piece in each category – a great dress or a trending jacket, and I am always looking for soft cashmere loungewear and knitwear. I do like to buy new footwear each A/W season; a new cosy boot for winter, a trending shoe, and I am always in the market for cool sneakers.
Which pieces from your own wardrobe will you be re-wearing this season?
I am always recycling my wardrobe, I never wear all new. That’s what defines your own style. I hoard my clothes and use them all the time as you never know which pants from seven years ago will work well with the new top of the season. I will use a lot of my old jackets, I don’t buy new jeans very often and knitwear is something I am constantly reusing too. I really like to buy a very thoughtful few pieces each season that will refresh what I have and be on trend.
What pieces are on your wishlist?
Lauren Faiers, Personal Shopper
Formerly leading the personal shopping team for luxury shopping destination NET-A-PORTER, Lauren now styles a myriad of clients looking to her for expertise.
Which brands do you typically reach for every autumn/winter season and why?
Toteme, for their classic staples and beautiful quality that perfectly slot into my wardrobe. The Frankie Shop is the epitome of cool and offers the perfect canvas to dress up or down – I especially love their tailored trousers and oversized blazers coats. I’ve got a black wool trench coat which I bought last year and cannot wait to wear again. Raey is also a firm favourite for both me and my clients. They have covered all bases including the perfect cut of jeans, gorgeous chunky knitwear and elevated coats. COS has always been a great high-street brand; I get a lot of my basics from them. Their knitwear, especially the cashmere, is excellent and the tailoring is beyond amazing this season. It it is on par with many high-level luxury brands, so be quick before it sells out. Arket is another great high-street brand: styled with the right shoes and accessories, their pieces look designer. There are quite a few Arket pieces I have my eye on right now including roll necks, cashmere sets, classic black ankle boots and knee-high leather boots.
Are there any trends that you will be buying into?
The trends I’ll be buying into will be long leather skirts, kitten-heeled knee-high boots, deconstructed knitwear, chocolate and oxblood tones and a pair of premium cargo trousers as they are here to stay.
Do you have a typical autumn/winter style?
My typical A/W style is chunky knitwear, leggings, knee-high boots and a wool trench coat on days off. When I’m seeing clients, I love an oversized blazer, leather skirt, slip dress or jeans, and usually a heel with lots of jewellery. A/W is definitely my favourite season for dressing: the layers, colours, boots, coats and accessories just feel more luxurious.
Which pieces from your own wardrobe will you be re-wearing this season?
The pieces I’ll be re-wearing again from my previous A/W wardrobe will be my LVIR cream shearling coat, a gorgeous oversized cashmere cardigan by Sl’eau, a black wool trench coat by The Frankie Shop, my favourite Acne synch waist blazer, my Coutille slip dress, a long leather pencil skirt by Topshop (which I’ve had since I worked there over 10 years ago!). The list could go on, I try really hard to look after my pieces; taking them out of their vacuum packs once autumn arrives always feels like Christmas.
What pieces are on your wishlist?
Holly Corrigan, Global Marketing & Communications Director at Galvan London
Fashion communications expert Holly has worked with some of the industry’s coolest brands, both established and emerging, and has a sophisticated wardrobe everyone dreams of.
Which brands do you typically reach for every autumn/winter season and why?
I’m such a repeat buyer so I guess you could say I’m brand loyal or maybe just lazy! I’m known for buying the same item in multiple colours, I love Arket and Uniqlo cashmere, and I mix and match with tailored trousers from COS or my trusted go-to twisted seam jeans from Toteme. I add a statement piece each year from a new tailored coat, or pair of boots, or I invest in a new handbag. It’s become a simple formula that I can mix and match, and I know works for me becoming my go-to uniform.
Are there any trends that you will be buying into?
Through my work and especially in recent years, I’ve really gravitated towards brands promoting a more timeless, simplified and paired-pack look. They don’t follow trends and each have minimal logos and branding. Instead, they invest in creating a capsule wardrobe of considered pieces that can be mixed and matched and added to, season-on-season. Brands I personally love and reach to and who are doing this really well are TOVE, Toteme, Esse Studio and House of Dagmar for RTW, for accessories NEOUS and Le Monde Beryl.
Do you have a typical autumn/winter style?
I keep it simple and invest in pieces I know I can wear for years to come. For me, it’s a great pair of jeans, I find a style I know works for me (Toteme organic twisted seam size down) and each winter I update with a new wash. I also invest in knitwear and love the cashmere offering from Arket, COS and Uniqlo. Each year I’ll invest in a bigger statement piece whether that’s a new handbag, coat or pair of boots. When you spend a little bit more and take care of these items it becomes a forever piece rather than an expense.
Which pieces from your own wardrobe will you be re-wearing this season?
A beloved Arket knit roll neck – I literally have every colour and they see me through the winter. I’m patiently waiting to see what colours they bring out this year! My COS tailored trousers – I have them in black, navy and grey and I’m hoping they release them in chocolate this year. Toteme signature coat I love this style as it’s so easy to pair with a crisp white t-shirt and jeans in Autumn or Spring and then a roll-neck jumper in the colder months. I have it in two colours; black and white (bought in the MatchesFashion sale) and Grey (bought in the Net-A-Porter sale). Le Monde Beryl Mary-Jane’s are a great transitional shoe around this time of year and again in March/April. I love the tiger print colourway as I’m usually wearing a simple tonal outfit so these shoes give a pop of colour and texture. I also walk a lot during the day so these are perfect for running around town – they are the most comfortable and have never given me a blister! I’ve been a huge fan of Completedworks for years and have a few pieces that I regularly rotate, especially the Flow Gold Vermeil Earrings. I also love the jewellery brand Daphine and wear the Oli hoops in gold and silver, paired with the Moune brangles. Additionally, I enjoy mixing and matching stack gold and silver Oli rings as part of my everyday wardrobe.
What pieces are on your wishlist?
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