There is something so unbelievably fantastical about Autumn, as we leave summer behind and delve into a pile of orange leaves, glistening under the brightness of the sun. Despite the slight chill in the air, and the desire to snuggle into a ruby slanket, autumn remains -at least in my opinion- the most beautiful season for fashion, as you alternate between chenille jumpers and over the knee boots to floral jumpsuits, layered over colourful turtlenecks, without recompense. And yet many struggle to find their ‘fashion identity’ in a season that while short and fleeting, is nevertheless iconic for trends like ‘jumpers over dresses’, marking a moment for ‘transitional fashion’ in the industry. While many are confident enough to reach for the cozy jumper, when it comes to ‘dresses’ in autumn and winter, many are scared to venture outside their comfort zone, because as they quite rightly state ‘it’s bloody cold’. And while some like me are impractically dressed for any occasion turning up in a ballgown to do my weekly food shop, for others who actually have genuine concerns for their health and wellbeing, the idea of wearing a dress when it’s cold might seem like a nightmare dressed as a daydream. Which is where Boohoo comes in, trying to challenge the status quo that dresses are a ‘summer item’. Because lets face it, fashion has no rules, so even if you want to wear sandals in the throes of winter, the choice is yours to make.
From layering a turtleneck under sleeveless dresses, to creating a merger between ‘summer and autumn’ with a faux fur coat and a maxi dress, here is how you can dress it up this season with Boohoo.
Invest In A Staple Faux Fur Coat
There is nothing more satisfying than looking like the cookie monster or an adorable sheepdog in a glorious faux fur coat, worn with everything from mini skirts to dresses. And while some might be scared of looking like a giant ball of fur, when it comes to nailing ‘transitional fashion’ a good faux fur coat never goes amiss. From neutral colours like ‘black and white’ to more colourful duck egg blues, pastel pinks, right through to rich ruby reds and pumpkin oranges, a faux fur coat has never looked more enticing. While there are a range of ‘faux fur coat lengths’ and ‘styles’ I find that a mid-length that is slightly cropped like the duck egg blue faux fur coat below, goes the best with ‘transitional styling’, especially if you pair it with a maxi dress, which is the ultimate dress to wear all year round. Or if a faux fur coat is not your thing and you would rather not look like a big ball of fluff, you could also pair a dress with a faux leather or faux suede jacket, for a jacket that is suitable for transitional weather that is neither ‘super warm’ or super cold. The style of jacket or coat that you choose to pair with a dress all depends on the style of the outfit you are curating. For example a long sleeved maxi dress goes well with a faux fur coat or faux leather jacket whereas a mini dress goes well with a bolero or cropped denim jacket, so it all depends on your personal tastes and preferences.
Mix An Autumn Look With Summer Accessories Like Flower Crowns Or Floppy Hats
While the urge to wrap yourself up in as many blankets as possible and pretend like the world outside does not exist is very tempting, the truth is at some point we have to brave the cold and pretend like we are not freezing our tits off. But here’s a tip, when I am cold I visualize being on a beautiful Caribbean island surrounded by magic coves, crystal clear waters and rainbow mermaids, and you can do the same with the accessories that you choose too. For example, even if you are wearing a faux fur coat with your maxi dress, a summer accessory like a flower crown or floppy hat can immediately transport you into your happy place, which is far removed from the grizzly, cold weather that us Britons are currently facing. And believe me I needed to find my happy place because this dress was worn during a hailstorm, so I just pretended that I was sipping mojitos on the beach. While you don’t have to be as extra as me with my library of flower crowns, a floppy hat is a great accessory to pair with a dress from Boohoo, especially if it is a maxi dress, which as I professed earlier can be worn all year round. Yay! The trick is to choose accessories that match the ‘vibe’ or aesthetic that you are going for. For example because I was wearing a floral dress, I paired a flower crown in a similar hue to retain that ‘flower child’ or flower power aesthetic, whereas a striped cotton dress might be paired with a floppy straw hat to curate a ‘beach vibe’. The choice is yours to make.
Pair With Kitten Heels Or Boots
Depending on the type of dress that you are ‘styling’, a good pair of kitten heels or boots do a great job of bridging the gap between summer and autumn fashion. With a maxi dress like the floral asymmetrical dress above a pair of patent perspex boots adds some height to the maxi dress and is as equally affable with a pair of co-coordinating kitten heels, whereas a mini dress whether that be ruffle or a-line is ideal paired with fishnets and either ankle boots or over the knee boots, depending on whether you are looking to create a sixties or seventies aesthetic, so its all down to your personal preference. The key to pairing shoes with a ‘summer dress’ for autumn is all about the height of the heel. For example a kitten heel is comfortable, just as block heel boots are comfy, which makes them ideal shoes for wearing during autumn where comfort is key. In my case to retain the flower child aesthetic I went for the a ‘kitten heel’ in pastel blue to be both comfortable-thus coordinating with the faux fur coat- but also to be stylish, elevating the maxi dress to give me a little height. Because lets face it I am quite short and need to look as though I am taller than I actually am haha!
For Extra Warmth Layer A Turtleneck Underneath The Dress
While the style of the maxi dress I had chosen from Boohoo might not pair well with a turtleneck, a sleeveless maxi dress in a V neckline looks glorious with a turtleneck in an accentuating colour, meaning that you don’t just look fashion forward, but you also are warm during the colder weather. The key is to pick a turtleneck in a contrasting colour to the dress that you are styling. For example if I was pairing a duck egg blue maxi dress with a turtleneck, the contrasting colour I might choose would be a pastel or ceramic pink, which would be accentuated by ceramic pink accessories, to create the Pantone ‘Rose Quartz’ and ‘Serenity’ aesthetic. Whereas a burgundy maxi dress goes well with rich winter and jewel tones like khaki, mustard and pumpkin to truly embrace the autumn colour palette. In contrast brighter primary colours like reds or blues go well with neutral hues like a pop of white to create a contrast between colours. For extra warmth during the winter you might also choose to purchase a pair of nude tights to keep your legs and tootsies warm, whereas a mini dress goes well with fishnets to embrace that Rocky Horror Show Realness Vibe.
How Would You Style A Dress In Autumn?
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