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Why an autumn uniform makes good style sense

— by Alyson Walsh

Photos: Claire Pepper

Navy cashmere polo neck, navy wool overcoat, trousers a bit on the slouchy side, boots a bit on the stompy side: I’m back in my autumn uniform. And it feels good. Reaching for reliable wardrobe classics is sustainable, faff-free and saves money in the long run. I’m up north visiting family and friends this weekend and literally have a version of this outfit, a jumpsuit and some long-sleeved striped t-shirts for layering. Packing is not a problem when you have an autumn uniform to guide you.

In today’s Sunday Times Style, columnist Nigella Lawson explains how her unchanging uniform (white Theory jacket, black Gap t-shirt or jumper, black AG jeans or wide trousers, white Ash trainers) helps avoid an existential crisis every morning. This kind of simple, pared-down dressing is satisfying, elegant and timeless. ‘I don’t mind how many times I go out wearing the same thing,’ writes the Wardrobe Goddess, ‘ I’ve got a Hobbs velvet jacket I still wear from the 1990s. And I’ve got knee boots for tucking jeans into from longer ago.’ Nigella hates shopping, is not that keen on ‘fashion’ and prefers to bulk-buy the items she feels comfortable in. Very wise.

Just like Nigella, most of the items I’m wearing here have been part of my life for a long time. The overcoat I bought in the sale at Liberty about 15-years-ago, the navy cashmere jumper is from an M&S project I worked on in 2017, the workwear trousers were borrowed and returned to Spry Workwear (good news:my favourite boiler suit brand has moved into pants!) and the suede flatform boots were from a Grenson sample sale two years ago (similar HERE and HERE).

 

 

Style over fashion all the way…

 

To feel comfortable and confident in your clothes makes excellent style sense. My pared-down autumn uniform can be whooped up with a big patterned scarf,  I’ll layer my biker jacket underneath the coat (wish I’d done that for my trip up north, it is a bit chilly), or to give the outfit another spin I’ll tie my hair up and add some big earrings. Same, same but different.

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Navy cashmere polo neck, navy wool overcoat, trousers a bit on the slouchy side, boots a bit on the stompy side: I’m back in my autumn uniform. And it feels good.