There’s something about the change of season that makes me want to have a little wardrobe refresh. Not necessarily a whole new wardrobe, just a few really good pieces that make getting dressed easier and give the things I already own a new lease of life.
For me, the best autumn purchases are the ones that work hard in your wardrobe. Pieces you can wear in multiple ways, layer when the temperature drops, dress up or down, and ideally keep reaching for year after year.
So, with that in mind, here are four pieces currently in my basket from ASOS that I think make a very good case for themselves…
Miss Selfridge Button Through Rib Bodysuit
A good bodysuit is one of those wardrobe basics that you don’t necessarily appreciate until you have one and then wonder how you ever got dressed without it.
I particularly love this button-through ribbed style from Miss Selfridge because it has a little more interest than your standard black bodysuit, while still being incredibly easy to wear.
As we head into cooler weather, it makes the perfect under-layer. Wear it underneath a chunky cardigan, blazer, bomber jacket or oversized shirt, or simply wear it on its own with your favourite jeans or trousers.
The fitted shape also makes it a really useful balancing piece when you’re wearing something oversized on top. Think wide-leg trousers, relaxed denim or a chunky jacket.
It’s the kind of basic that gives you plenty of outfit options without taking up much room in your wardrobe — exactly what I want from a good autumn staple.
Threadbare Jumper with Wide Cuff
I’m always drawn to basics that have one small detail that makes them feel a little bit different, and this Threadbare jumper does exactly that.
The wide cuffs add a subtle point of interest to what would otherwise be a very simple knit. It’s still incredibly wearable, but the detail stops it from feeling like just another jumper.
This is the sort of piece I’d throw on with jeans for an easy everyday outfit, but it could just as easily be styled with tailored trousers or a skirt to make it feel a little more polished.
Because the silhouette is simple, you can have fun with the rest of the outfit, adding jewellery, a statement bag, a great coat or your favourite shoes.
Sometimes the best basics aren’t the completely plain ones; they’re the pieces that have just enough detail to make an outfit feel considered without making it difficult to style.
Kaiia Exclusive Faux Suede Cargo Bomber Jacket
If there’s one jacket I’m expecting to see everywhere this season, it’s a suede or faux suede bomber.
What I love about this Kaiia bomber is that it has that perfect combination of classic and current. A bomber jacket is already a wardrobe staple that isn’t going anywhere, while the faux suede finish and cargo-inspired details give it a more directional feel.
That makes it a particularly good autumn buy because you’re getting something that feels on-trend now, but isn’t so trend-led that you’ll be bored of it next year.
It’s also one of those jackets that can completely change the feel of an outfit. Throw it over the black bodysuit and jeans for an easy everyday look, pair it with knitwear and wide-leg trousers when it gets colder, or use it to make a simple dress feel more casual.
Let’s be honest, a good jacket can do a lot of the work when it comes to making an outfit look pulled together.
Object Long Sleeve Roll Neck Knitted Top in Brown
Finally, we have one of my favourite types of autumn basic: the roll neck.
This brown knitted roll-neck from Object is exactly the kind of piece I want in my wardrobe when the temperatures start to drop. It’s warm enough to wear throughout winter, but simple enough that you can style it in so many different ways.
Wear it underneath a blazer or jacket, layer it under a sleeveless dress, pair it with denim, tuck it into tailored trousers or wear it underneath a chunky cardigan.
While brown might feel like more of a seasonal colour, it can actually be incredibly versatile. It works beautifully with cream, beige, camel, black, denim and other earthy tones, making it an easy alternative to black or grey.
It’s also a great example of why good basics don’t have to be boring. A beautiful neutral knit can become the foundation for so many different outfits.
The Basics I’ll Be Building My Autumn Wardrobe Around
For me, these are the pieces that make a wardrobe work: versatile, wearable and easy to mix and match, with just enough detail to stop them feeling basic in the boring sense of the word.
The black ribbed bodysuit gives you the perfect foundation layer, the wide-cuff jumper adds interest to everyday outfits, the faux suede bomber brings a current feel while still being a wardrobe staple, and the brown roll neck is a winter layering hero.
That’s really what I’m looking for when I’m shopping for a new season, not pieces I’ll wear once because they’re having a moment, but good wardrobe builders that give me more outfits, not more clothes.
So, if you’re looking to make a few strategic additions to your autumn wardrobe, these four are definitely going in my basket.
Written by Emma Rostron, a Fashion Blogger and Personal Stylist, dedicated to helping women discover their unique style and empowering them to shine with confidence.
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