JUMPSTART YOUR STYLE,
READY FOR AUTUMN

September is just around the corner and the AW21 collections from our favourite designers have started to arrive. Now’s the time to start looking tentatively towards the cooler months and what that means for our clothes. 

Just to caveat, we’re not rewriting rules or rewiring our entire wardrobes here, but the past however-many months have helped us all to refine what we want and what we’re missing. From investing in exciting young designers who are revitalising menswear, to experimenting with accessories – here’s how we’ll be lighting a sartorial spark for the season ahead. 

PUMP UP THE PRACTICAL 

We all need multitasking clothes in our lives – especially for the unpredictable autumn weather. Our newfound appreciation for the outdoors and desire to find clothes that we can treasure long past the current season means we’re welcoming the current influx of military- and workwear-inspired utilitarian style.  

Decade-defying MA-1 bomber jackets – which crossed over from army-issue uniform into civilian style in the 50s and never left – appeared in countless autumn collections: Dries Van Noten’s crinkled olive-green version and the supersized styles from Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada’s first co-created menswear collection at Prada deftly tread the line between front row and fighter pilot. As for trousers, branch out from blue jeans to take your outfits up a notch: Tory Van Thompson and (di)vision’s upcycled pairs and the original, iconic workwear from Dickies are both ideal for everyday. 

AMPLIFY YOUR ACCESSORIES 

“This season’s accessories are all about having fun and experimenting with colour and texture,” says our Men’s Designer and Accessories Buyer, Yasmin Mehmet. Arguably, adding a bag, hat or piece of jewellery is the easiest way to mix up an outfit, and the collective desire to shake off strict fashion rules and embrace our personal style means that now is the perfect time to dabble. “We’ve seen a strong search for playful pieces that catch the eye,” Yasmin continues. “Pearls are huge at the moment – Hatton Labs has nailed this look. We’ve also introduced Georgia Kemball this season, whose beautiful decorative flower pendants and rings are key to amplifying a classic tailored outfit. Pair with a bucket hat, a Bottega bag, and you’re ready to hit the town.” 

BRIGHTEN UP 

Colour is our mood-boosting cure for the shortening days, and designers are clearly sharing in our need for some dopamine dressing right now, filling the AW21 catwalks with tomato reds (at Casablanca, Acne Studios, Marni and Sacai), canary yellow (Prada and Dior), and bright greens (JW Anderson, Fendi and Louis Vuitton).  

Our Senior Fashion Editor, Vincent Levy, has shared his styling tips for carrying summer brights into autumn: “Graphic-print camp shirts that seem designed to make you smile are a good place to start,” he says. “Layer up with contrasting plain workwear-inspired pieces for an easier feel, or otherwise really brighten up your day by clashing with additional patterns and punchy statement accessories.” London label AGR’s print-packed trousers and knitwear tick that box for clothes, while JACQUEMUS’s bags and bucket hats have eye-wateringly bright accessories covered. 

Feeling inspired?