Boots forever 21 (old), Grey top Marks & Spencer's £17.50, Next Jeans £28, Neckless River Island (old), Black contrast bag Next £26
With the temperature becoming colder we all seem to be finding ourselves deciding what to wear and how to make the transition from our summer wardrobe into Autumn.
Investment and strategy are the Key words
For this particular season one of the things I normally always go by is quality is better quantity,
so here is why?
You will often find that Autumn and Winter season clothing seems to be a little more expensive. Depending on fabric and style and of course the need to layer on more items, can normally mean you going down to the city mall to try on endless clothes to find the pieces that work well with your personal style. Having a strategic way to shop for such items, can be very helpful and allows you to buy only what is required. Getting used to asking yourself question such as- how practical is the item? Can it be styled in many different ways? I'm I getting value for my money?
Being a working mother I'm often running around after my children, so I know that anything I wear needs to work with my day to day activities.
My top tips
Shoes
Always make sure you invest well into a pair of boots, as these you will wear almost everyday and they will go through many vigorous weather conditions. The better the quality the longer they will last and, sustain the weather making them more cost effective over the years. I would suggest purchasing boots that are very basic in design with a classic look, this will mean that you can bring them out year after year without them looking dated and you won't need to worry about staying on trend.My Autumn/Winter boots collection has grown slightly over the years currently consisting of 2 knee high flat boots (which I've had for 4 years) , 1 winter snow boots and 2 heeled ankle boots. Having a variety is good as this gives you more styling options and, can take your outfits from day into night.
Always remember your collection can be built over time, so no need to go out and make a massive spurge all in one go.
Clothing Tops & Knits
The best ways to transitions your summer wardrobe and to save money is to invest in some light knit cardigan's, these are great for adding texture and colour, and a good all round layering piece for example you can wear a camisole top, layer that with a basic long or short sleeved tee and then layer the cardigan on top. I personally do this every year and, it works because it means I can spend less money purchasing many different items.
Generally speaking I tend to save my bigger splurges for chunky knitwear to avoid bobbling and colour fades after washes. Again the key here is to stick to simple styles and colours, adding one or two bolder colours for a fresh look.
Washing your clothes with a washing detergent that is delicate and formulated for knitwear will also keep them looking fresher for longer, I current use Woolite fabric wash, but most supermarkets will stock there own brands which can be a little cheaper.
Outerwear/coats
When choosing coats or jackets for Autumn/Winter I would recommend going a size up to compensate for the fact that we are adding those extra layers. Faux leather, Faux fur, suede, tweed and the classic trench coat are great pieces that can work well as the weather gets cooler. Try to stick to basic designs and colours, however within your collection there is nothing wrong with having a few experimentally items that can be useful and can help to make an outfit more relevant and playful.
Accessories
