26 Fashion Staples You Need This Autumn

As we settle into long autumn nights by the open fire and watch the flames crackle, we sigh with satisfactory content. Our feet are encased in soft faux fur lined slippers and the blankets that we stole from our mothers ‘secret stash’ envelop us in warm delight. There’s a pot of pumpkin soup simmering gently on the stove, while the scent of autumn makes its way through the house. While the days might be getting shorter and the nights be getting colder, there is no excuse to not make an entrance everytime you enter a room.

Sure, you might get some odd looks walking to the shop in your Bug’s Bunny onesie and people might be crying inside as you rock a sequin dress wishing that you had some kind of superpower to wish away the impending winter frost, but hey that is autumn fashion for you. In fact if it could be described in three words it would be ; transitional, layered and experimental, all the qualities your wardrobe could ever want. Question is, what 26 fashion staples do you need this autumn? You know the drill, Mama Jasmine aka my more stylish alter ego is on hand to give us a look into her closet and boy is it extensive; from metallic showstoppers to faux fur jackets, it’s time that Jasmine did the right thing and give us an insight into her secret fashion world.

Formal Wear Fashion Staples and Trends You Need This Autumn

To Party: Whether you are smooching your way into a new lovers arms or getting down and dirty with that ‘sick beat’, there is a dress, playsuit or jumpsuit to suit any given occasion.

1.Metallic Bombshell: The Silver Dress

Whether you fancy yourself a 90’s club kid or are more into 60’s space age couture, the modern interpretation of the ‘metallic trend’ is all down to personal preference. As a 90’s club kid you may favour dancing the night away with mirrored striped jumpsuits, curved jackets and sequins split into stripes, whereas being inspired by the sixties ‘space age couture’ circa 1969 André Courrèges, might mean pairing silver high shine bomber jackets with metallic wrap over dresses and irridescent platform sandals. As a modern interpreter of the ‘metallic trend’ I settled for two key ‘metallic styles’: the faux sleeve metallic mini dress, suitable for nights out on the town vs a choker neckline maxi high split high shine dress, that while risque could be suitable for any upcoming autumn and winter functions. The question is are you more of a 90’s club kid, a 60’s space age Primadonna or a modern starlet?

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2.50’s Prom Queen:The Midi Dress

Inspired by Audrey Hepburn circa 1955 (photographed by Norman  Parkinson), the midi dress is the epitome of Old Hollywood Glamour. Refined, sophisticated and classic, the midi dress is usually pleated, simple in design and features a full bodied skirt, that adds some volume to the classic 50’s look. While a typical 50’s midi dress might be accessorized with a faux fur stole, pearls and some elbow length gloves, there is no need to say goodbye to summer just yet as a colourful flower crown and pastel accessories, show that autumn formal wear can still be bright and colourful, despite what the fashion magazines might lead you to think. And don’t worry about height either; contrary to popular belief, midi dresses are suitable for people as short as me ( I’m 5 Ft 4), just as long as you pair it with a heel that creates the illusion of a longer leg.

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Shop 50’s Style Midi Dresses

3.Sequinned Mermaid: The Sequin Dress

Surprisingly sequins did not originate in the 80s, although the image of neon bright leotards, legwarmers and sequinned accessories might beg to differ. In actual fact sequins were made from shiny metals  as decoration on clothing or paraphernalia in the Indus Valley as early as 2500BC  in Ancient Kot Diji culture. Back then sequins were used as a theft deterrent, status symbol and spiritual guide, whereas today sequins are used for decorative purposes, but nevertheless an interesting insight into the origins of the humble sequin’s beginnings. But if ‘sequins’ are only decorative than why does it make the 31 fashion staples list? Put simply sequins are always associated with the festive season and are a go to for festivals, nights out and occasions like New Year. But it’s also suitable for Autumn too; instead of dressing up as the tired traditional Halloween character of a witch or cat, why not try your hand at being a sea urchin or mermaid with your sequin outfit?

Shop The Sequin Dress Look

Shop Sequin Dresses

4.A Spanish Senorita:White Lace Ruffle Dress

Ruffles might have started as a 16th century wardrobe staple, adorning voluminous embroidered brocade gowns but it is its ability to transcend time and adapt to each era, that has made the ‘ruffle’ whether it be in collar, dress or sleeve form so popular throughout the years. 2017 became enamored with ‘ruffle dresses’ instead of collars and paired with white lace, it became the purer alternative to a black LBD. Others saw the ‘white LWD’ (Little White Dress) as a chance to channel ‘Spanish Vibes’ with dresses that bore an uncanny resemblance to ‘flamenco dancers’ traditional costumes. Only instead of red and black, the dresses were white with ruffled lace. Designers also began adding peekaboo details like mesh panels or cut outs, to ensure that the white lace did not remind people of ‘white net curtains’ which is never a good look. After all I would much prefer to look like a Flamenco dancer than a white net curtain that is for sure LOL.

And if you are looking for more inspiration , LYST have a wonderful selection of white lace ruffle dresses to suit all budgets. From retailers like Asos to New Look,it’s not just me who has jumped on the Flamenco Train!

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5.Dark Lady: The Black LBD

The classic LBD is always a go to look for any time of the year, but the exciting thing about having it as an autumn fashion staple is the way that you can play with textures. For example the look below features a slinky wrap over black bodycon dress, with ruched detail as the starting point. To create an autumn inspired look I have added a faux fur bolero (see trend 23), faux suede boots and some sequin iridescent accessories , creating a hodge podge of different textures to add interest to an otherwise plain LBD. Keeping it in the same colour palette creates dimension and save for the fun accessories like the sequin collar, cat eye sunglasses and iridescent clutch, the all black look is sophisticated, sexy and perfect for a much needed night out dancing on the tables. Although don’t dance on the bar as I have a feeling the bartenders might get pissed off LOL.

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Shop Black LBD’s

6. Party Feet:The Statement Heel

Nothing screams formal glamour more than a statement heel and whether that be an embroidered or perspex heel, let the footwear do the talking. While it might be tempting to rock up to the club looking like you just escaped from the zoo, in a garish mismatch of colours, prints and an even more garish looking statement heel please don’t… I might cry otherwise and that’s not a pretty sight. Instead keep your outfit plain with a minimalist design, ensuring that the statement footwear helps elevate the minimal and sophisticated look. Bonus points if the statement heel is embroidered, but don’t you dare jump into any muddy puddles missy!

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7. Getting Leggy:High Neck Jumpsuits

If dresses are not ‘your thing’ then jumpsuits are perfect formal fashion staples that you need in your wardrobe right now. From floral high neck jumpsuits circa 70’s noueveu bohemianism to 90’s embroidered denim dungarees, the beauty of the trusty ‘jumpsuit’ is that it is just as valid for ‘daywear’ as it is for formal occasions, and unlike other formal trends, can be worn all year round. During the day, layer a jumpsuit with a turtleneck, boots and a cool ASF fedora, while at night let your jumpsuit out to play with block heels, statement makeup and an optional matching wall, to really get the party started.

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8. Feeling Royal: The Velvet Playsuit

Velvet might have a strong connotation of ‘European Nobility’ but velvet is actually thought to pre-date back to two Chinese dynasties: Qin (circa 221-206 B.C.E.) and the Western Han (206 B.C.E.- 23 C. E.), although samples have also been found from the Warring States (403 B.C.E), but it’s exact ‘beginnings’ are relatively unknown. The renaissance was of course a high point in velvet production, with European nobles swathing themselves in Ermine and velvet capes, but it wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution and later the 1920’s that velvet became accessible to the masses. Today velvet is very much a popular ‘autumn staple’ and its easy to see why. From its mainstream appeal due to its accessible price point to the variety of colours like black, burgundy, green and sapphire velvet available, there is a velvet statement piece to suit all tastes.

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9. Soaking Up 90’s Red Carpet Glamour:Satin Slip Dresses

Kate Moss might have been the 90’s supermodel to popularize the satin slip dress-previously resigned to the bedroom-but modern stars like Rihanna have shown that the ‘satin slip dress’ is just as relevant in 2017. Whether you want to channel Kate Moss with a sheer slip dress that leaves very little to the imagination or borrow style tips from 90’s fashion icon Winona Ryder who paved the way for gothic elegance in her velvet purple slip dress circa 1993, no one does slip dresses better than 90’s red carpet glamour. And if witchy vibes are not your thing and you’d rather not show everyone your privates, then why not take inspiration from my bias cut faux silk slip modeled on Carolyn Bessette’s 1996 wedding to the late John F. Kennedy Jr?

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For Business :We all need business separates and Mama Jasmine has you sorted: From 80’s Inspired Power Suits to Shirt Dresses, the boardroom never looked so stylish.

10.Power Suits Influenced By The 80’s

The 80’s revolutionized ‘womenswear’ for work and with more women in control of the boardroom than ever before, power suits became a popular fashion staple in working women’s wardrobes. Shoulders became padded to give the illusion of greater authority, while the actual suit dresses and trouser suits themselves were streamlined and plain, usually in neutral colours like grey, black and navy. Trouser and skirt suits were often worn with pussybow blouses as favored by the late Margaret Thatcher, while power suits were worn with permed frosted hair, a waist cinched belt and kitten heels. The look below also borrows elements from the  80’d with padded shoulders and a cinched waist although the asymmetric slight off shoulder top half design juxtaposed with a clean ceramic pink palette, is inspired by 2016’s love affair with Pantone’s ‘Serenity’ and ‘Rose Quartz’.

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11.Denim Pencil Skirt’s & Striped Shirt Combo’s

While pencil skirt’s for work are normally in materials like cotton, linen and wool crepe, denim is a great wardrobe staple that can be easily utilized for work. Simply accessorize with a large statement cinching belt, block coloured accessories and pair with a striped top, to create a work appropriate look that would be suitable for both boardroom and after work drinkies. Choose a striped shirt top that is easy to layer underneath the denim pencil skirt and ensure that the material is thin so that the pencil skirt does not appear to be ‘too bulky’. Love heart flotation device is optional, although you might get some weird looks if you brought that into work LOL.

Shop The Striped Shirt And Pencil Skirt Look

Shop Striped Shirts & Pencil Skirts

12. Power Sleeves: The Belted Shirt Dress With Bell Sleeves

Fishnet’s are a classic business staple circa Devil Wears Prada and go perfectly with a bell sleeved shirt dress that would be as easy to wear with a skirt, trousers or jeans as it is as a stand alone dress. Wear as a ‘double shirted dress’ one day at work and wear as a stand alone dress the next, to get more wearability from the bell sleeved shirt dress. Although the shirt dress was popular in the 1950s as part of Christian Dior’s post–World War II “New Look” couture designs and featured a full skirt held up by wearing a crinoline, the modern look below shows that modern shirt dresses are more streamlined, often with an absence of shape, to create more freedom for the wearer to style it in the style that they choose.

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Informal Fashion Staples and Trends You Need This Autumn

13.Turtlenecks In A Rainbow Of Colours

Ah turtlenecks , what had once started off as being worn by knights, who used the turtlenecks to prevent rashes and chafing from their chainmail and helmets, is now a decorative (and often warm) item of clothing that is worn as a fashion statement as opposed to an item worn during war. At first turtlenecks were only worn by men but by the late 1950’s to early 60’s films like Audrey Hepburn’s Funny Face popularized the ‘beatnik’ turtleneck trend-often paired with Mom Jeans that we know and love today. The 1970’s was also another key era for making turtlenecks essential uniform and was often worn by feminist Gloria Steinem, who was an emblem of the 70’s Women’s Equality Movement. While neutral colours like black and grey were seen as classic hues to design turtlenecks in, today turtlenecks come in a vast variety of colours including pumpkin, chestnut, sage, salmon and forties blue among others.

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14. Have Your Cake And Eat It With Embroidered Jeans

Although Levi Strauss might have invented the first blue jeans in the 1860s, embroidered jeans were unheard of, particularly since blue jeans were made for farmer at first. While jeans might have started as a folk garment, its transition into the embroidered jeans that we know and love today began in the Me Decade, otherwise known as the 70’s. The 70’s embellishment trend draws inspiration from Global Powerhouse Gucci, who used the natural world to emblazon its jeans with floral imagery, martime inspired patches and even animal inspired embroiery like Tiger and leopard emblems. In 2017, the rise of ‘pearl encrusted distressed jeans’ became popular but it is the floral embroidery trend -usually on high rise acid wash jeans- that remain the most sought after ’embroidered jean’ form.

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Shop Embroidered Jeans

15. Channel Your ‘Inner Mom’ With Mom Jeans

While ‘Mom Jeans have been much maligned throughout history-who can forget the 2003 SNL skit with Tina Fey- the unisex “Normcore” fashion movement created by hipsters and championed by Topshop who introduced it to the youth generation has made ‘mom jeans cool again’. Double points if you wear distressed or embroidered Mom Jeans; see you can wear jeans that don’t give you camel toe and still look well dressed. While the mom jeans were an 80’s fashion staple, adapt it to modern day wear by pairing a fitted blouse, a floppy hat and boots for a semi-casual daywear look that is anything but frumpy.

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Shop Mom Jeans

16. Stretch Out Those Legs With Knee High Boots

While the 70’s was infamous for spawning the maxi dress and knee high boot combo, entrenched in ‘hippy bohemianism’ the 60’s cultivated the ‘mod look’ featuring knee high space boots, an A-Line geometric monochromatic shift or a mini skirt, so that the legs looked elongated. And it’s easy to see elements of both looks today, with a popular over the knee A/W look being a knitted jumper, layered over a faux leather mini skirt, a floppy hat circa 70’s and of course a trusty pair of knee high boots. Not only can knee high boots give you the illusion of having longer legs, but they are of course warmer than ankle and sock boots.

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Shop Knee High Boots

17. Keeping It Mini With Ankle Boots

What started as a practical boot known as a ‘Blucher’ worn by labourers during the eighteenth century has transformed into a ‘fashion boot’that is both as stylish as it is comfortable. A block heeled ankle boot puts less strain on the ankle, while a stiletto heel-though less comfortable- is still a stunning addition to an outfit nevertheless. But really we have the sixties yet again to thank for the introduction of the ankle boot, which at the time was called a ‘Go Go Boot’. Go Go boots would be paired with mini skirts predominantly, to tap into the ‘cool and collected’ Mod Look that was so popular with Youth Culture.

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18. From Royalty To Mainstream:Bell Sleeved Bodysuits

While the ‘bell sleeve’ was often used as a dramatic component of the Medieval Era’s nobility look, us peasants were finally let into the ‘bell sleeve’ secret in the 1970’s. The 1970’s brought bell sleeves to a mainstream, collective audience with ‘linen tops featuring a flared sleeve’ paired with bell bottoms. The 80’s gave way to severe shoulder pads and neon legwarmers, but the ‘bell sleeve’ did make a brief appearance in the early 2000’s, pioneered by pop stars like Britney Spears. Today bell sleeves can be seen on off the shoulder blouses, dresses and bodysuits, which can be worn in autumn as easily as it can be worn in summer.

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19. From Kitchen To Fashion: The Pinafore Dress

Throughout time the pinafore, often classed as an apron was used as a status symbol of the women’s role in the kitchen. During the Second World War, posters would show women in ‘frilly aprons’ or ‘pinnys’ to represent the national ideal of women as ‘homemakers’ ‘domestic Goddesses’ and other stereotypes that were associated with women and the kitchen. By the mid 1950’s the pinafore dress was beginning to have ‘decorative appeal’ thanks in part To Audrey Hepburn’s turn in Sabina, where she wore a black polka dot pinafore dress, with a jumper layered underneath. Winning an Academy Award for best costume design, Hepburn showed that the pinafore could be worn by adults in a ‘fashion sense’ that was more mature than the ‘Dorothy’ blue gingham smock pinafore that had polarized pinafores for children.Today pinafores remain a popular clothing item and can be seen in faux suede, denim and faux leather among other materials.

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Shop Pinafore Dresses

20. Keeping It Cozy With A Knitted Jumper Dress

Jumpers are often seen as a ‘practical as opposed’ to stylish item and its easy to see why. Often asociated with the older generation, knitted jumpers were paired with trousers  and woolen skirts, while baseball hoodies and bomber jackets were worn by the younger generation. Today however, popularized by Topshop, youth culture made ‘Granny Chic’ a thing and would pair thick rimmed spectacles with a knitted jumper, an a-line midi skirt and loafers for a look that screamed effortless comfort. Of course other retailers cottoned on to the notion of ‘granny chic’ and thus the jumper dress was born to add ‘sex appeal’ to an otherwise comfortable look.

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Coats and Jackets

21. Keeping It Classy With A Duster Coat

Although duster coats were once used by horsemen to protect their clothing from trail dust, duster coats have now become a ‘mainstay’ in both women’s and men’s wardrobes. Able to transcend any social occasion , the duster coat can easily be worn at a dinner party as much as it can be worn to work. It’s obvious unisex appeal means that the duster coat is a classy option for both genders and now come in a variety of colours including camel , navy and even pastels like rose quartz or baby pink. Although ‘duster coats’ are quite thin as opposed to winter attire like faux fur coats, the duster coat becomes an ideal transitional outerwear item for autumn when we are still being blessed by the sun’s warm gentle glow.

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22. Channeling Your Inner Sheep With A Faux Fur Jacket

As a cruelty free blogger and vegetarian , I don’t wear clothing made from animals , whether that be leather, hide, suede or fur. While our awareness of the faux fur movement is partly orchestrated by animal rights groups, it’s largely thanks to the proliferation of fake furs that began to hit the market more than a century ago. By 1910 imitation Astrakhan pelt became popular in America while Europe was slower to catch on, due to its obsession with fur as a status symbol. By the 50’s however a range of plush faux fur leopard pelts would adorn coats, dresses ad even shoes. But it was the iconic 1994 PETA ad featuring Naomi Campbell posing nude, promoting the slogan “I’d rather be naked than wear fur, that truly got consumers thinking about how ‘real fur’ can affect animals lives. Which is why FAUX FUR COATS ARE SEXY, because they imitate animal furs without hurting the animals in question.

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23. So You Wanna Be A Rockstar Faux Leather Jacket

The ‘biker jacket culture’ was very much associated with the Teddy Boys of the fifties; after the end of post-war aueterity- consumer culture became defined by youth’s dispensable income for the very first time. Teddy Boy’s would wear drainpipe trousers, motorbike jackets and crepe soles, to shock their parents, while Teddygirl’s would wear leather jackets and mini skirts, that were inspired by the ‘Rock and Roll’ culture of the sixties. Of course imitation leather was not a popular choice, seeing as leather was associated with ‘toughness’ but pleather -made from plastic and synthetic materials soared in popularity during the noughties in thanks to celebrity endorsements which showed consumers how you could still be ‘fashionable’ and remain ethically conscious.

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Accessories

24. The 90’s Choker Still Kicking It 20 Years Later

What was once seen as the uniform of the ‘prostitutes’ in 1860, became a huge trend in the 90s, with Gothic styles in the mid 90’s and tattoo chokers in the late 90’s. Today chokers remain just as popular with stars like Rihanna and Kendall Jenner teaming them with everyday wear, while the blogger style set has proven to be enamored with choker and high rise jean combo’s adding a twist to their everyday look. It should also come as no surprise that choker’s are a ‘music based trend’ as reflected by stars like Elvis and Iggy Pop who would wear them to defy conventional gender norms.

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25. The Cruelty Free Faux Fur Scarf

Stoles were often worn in the fifties as an epitome of Old Hollywood Glamour, but were often made from mink and Leopard furs. Thankfully today our fashion generation is far more aware of the effects of fur production on animals and have chosen to remain cruelty free with faux fur stoles and scarves, dyed in bright and autumnal colours to ensure that consumers remain ethically conscientious. While fur production still exists, it is on the decline which makes me very thankful to hear. After all you wouldn’t like to wear your dog so why should minks and big cats be any different? Plus the great thing about a faux fur scarf is how it is ideal for an autumn wardrobe without harming any animals in the process!

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26. The 70’s Floppy Hat

The 70’s pioneered a lot of trends and one of the biggest was the floppy, wide brim hat. Worn with everything from maxi dresses to bell bottoms, the versatility of the ‘floppy hat’ has not failed to escape the modern generation. Seen on everyone from celebrities to bloggers, hats not only sort out and disguise a bad hair day, but can elevate even the most simple of outfits. Now that is what you call a wardrobe staple that works for you!

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What Will You Be Wearing In Autumn ?