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The Women’s Autumn Style Edit: Have Fun With Your Wardrobe

Ladies, I’m going to admit something.

I’m not about the sophisticated girlie look.

You know the one.

Perfect neutral coat. Immaculate boots. Coordinated handbag. Everything somehow matching without looking like she tried.

She’s fabulous.

She’s just not me.

Welcome to Day Eight of Shocktober: Bring Your Beauty Back to Life and the Women’s Autumn Style Edit.

And my biggest recommendation for your autumn wardrobe is ridiculously simple:

Have fun with it.

Whatever that looks like for you.

You Don’t Need an Autumn Uniform

Every year, autumn arrives and suddenly we’re surrounded by a very particular version of autumn style.

Camel.

Cream.

Brown.

More camel.

Possibly burgundy if we’re feeling adventurous.

And look, I can appreciate an autumnal brown. We’ve already established that Coffee & Donuts Hayls is rather partial to one.

But I don’t believe changing seasons means changing your entire personality.

If you’re a neutral girlie and beautiful autumn basics make you happy?

Wear them.

If you want to dress entirely in black?

Do it.

If you’re standing there in October wondering whether your bright pink jumper is sufficiently “autumnal”?

Who cares? Wear the pink jumper.

Dress Like Yourself

I think that’s where personal style becomes much more interesting.

I’m not interested in looking like I’ve copied an autumn wardrobe from a mannequin.

I want to look like me.

Sometimes that’s colourful.

Sometimes it’s dark.

Sometimes it’s playful.

Sometimes it’s a little ridiculous.

Sometimes I want to look pretty.

Sometimes I want to look edgy.

Sometimes I apparently want to dress like a Care Bear.

All perfectly valid.

Fashion should give us another way to express who we are, not another set of rules we’re frightened of getting wrong.

Play With Your Clothes

Autumn is actually brilliant for this because suddenly we’ve got layers again.

Jackets.

Jumpers.

Boots.

Tights.

Scarves.

Accessories.

Different textures.

There are so many more pieces to play with.

Mix things you’re not supposed to mix.

Try the boots with the unexpected dress.

Wear something colourful underneath a darker jacket.

Add the ridiculous accessory.

Resurrect something from the back of your wardrobe that you haven’t worn in two years.

You don’t have to buy an entirely new wardrobe because the temperature dropped.

Sometimes the most fun outfit is sitting in your wardrobe already.

What Does Fun Look Like to You?

That’s the important question.

Not:

What’s fashionable this autumn?

But:

What would make me excited to get dressed?

Maybe sophisticated is fun for you.

Maybe you love tailoring and gorgeous coats and perfectly coordinated autumn colours.

Fantastic.

Maybe your idea of fun is vintage.

Maybe it’s goth.

Maybe it’s streetwear.

Maybe it’s hyper-feminine.

Maybe it’s jeans and the softest jumper known to humanity.

Maybe it’s all of those depending on the day.

Personal style doesn’t need to fit neatly into an aesthetic.

Neither do you.

My Autumn Fashion Rule

So I’m giving the Women’s Autumn Edit exactly one rule.

Wear the thing that makes you happy.

That’s it.

I’m not going to tell you that every woman needs a trench coat, a particular pair of boots or this season’s supposedly essential handbag.

You know your lifestyle.

You know your body.

You know your budget.

And you know what makes you smile when you catch yourself in the mirror.

Start there.

Because whether you’re 18 or 80, a minimalist or a maximalist, sophisticated or gloriously chaotic, fashion is allowed to be something you enjoy.

Autumn Hayls certainly intends to.

And sophisticated girlie Hayls?

She can have the occasional day off.

Love, Hayls x