Here they come – those tricky transitional weeks between summer and autumn. It is still too warm to pull on a jumper, but it’s certainly time to pack away the ‘summer wardrobe’.
Fashion types, however, tend to get excited about the change of season, as it’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your style and set the tone for what you’ll wear from now into winter.
And the solution is a transitional midi dress: light enough for muggy September days, effortlessly stylish, and versatile enough to be endlessly layered and restyled in the months to come.
We’ve compiled this season’s most-wanted styles, from celebrity trendsetters, the catwalks and insider tips from top British brands. Just pick your favourite, and you’ve got a ready-made autumn uniform . . .
Pumped up shirt dress
A shirt dress is a wardrobe hero, since the silhouette is supremely flattering on virtually everyone. This season’s iterations are pumped up with bold colour and pattern – forget summery white and go bold.
J Lo look effortlessly glamorous in her Dior shirt dress with strappy ballet flats
Boden’s best-selling dress ever is the new ‘Alba’ shirt dress, with more than 20,000 purchased in six months, from £135
Take your cue from J Lo, who looked effortlessly glamorous in her Dior shirt dress with strappy ballet flats, or dress it up with heels.
The top styling trick with a shirt dress is to be sure the hemline isn’t hitting the knee or you’ll risk looking frumpy. Slightly below is ideal – and if it doesn’t come with a belt, add one to cinch you in at the waist.
Boden’s best-selling dress ever is the new ‘Alba’ shirt dress, with more than 20,000 purchased in six months.
For autumn they’ve bet big on its continued success, with two new colourways and a soft cord. The retro print is fun, and the darker colours means it doesn’t feel too summery.
Must-have ruffles
Chloe’s autumn/winter collection has put boho firmly on the agenda for the foreseeable. The creative director Chemena Kamali’s catwalk was all whimsical blouses, fringing and, of course, ruffles upon ruffles.
There’s one dress every fashionista wants to get her hands on – this gorgeous coffee-coloured dress by Chloe, worn with over-the-knee boots
At £65, this High Street ruffle-sleeve dress from John Lewis is more affordable
And there’s one dress every fashionista wants to get her hands on (pictured). Daisy Edgar Jones wore the sleeveless mini version one day, followed by the cut-out baby blue style the next.
John Lewis has a grown-up, subdued peach knock-off in a longer length that’s already set to be the high street dress of the season – just add a pair of leather knee-high boots.
The clever crease buster
If there’s one thing Me+Em founder Clare Hornby has got right when it comes to dresses, it’s that comfort is key, but it shouldn’t mean sacrificing on style.
Made of soft jersey, this dress is just the right weight to skim over hips and thighs without highlighting them, £175, Me+Em
This dress is part of their ‘travel tailoring’ collection, designed to take the wearer effortlessly from desk to departure lounge, thanks to clever fabrics that are easy to care for and simply will not hold a crease, no matter what you do to them.
But you don’t need to be catching a flight to take advantage of the soft jersey – and helpfully it is also just the right weight to skim over hips and thighs without highlighting them.
Classy khaki
When you pack away your summer clothes, it can be easy to inadvertently pack away all the colour in your wardrobe too.
Resists the temptation to dive back into navy, black and grey and instead try khaki green as your transitional colour of choice.
The Fendi Autumn/Winter catwalk was awash with the earthy khaki tone
Wear this crisp poplin dress with a jacket as the weather cools, £22, Tu at Sainsbury’s
If you’re unconvinced, look no further than the Fendi Autumn/Winter catwalk which was awash with the earthy tone.
Tu at Sainsburys say they have sold twice as many dresses this year compared to last year, and this one in a crisp poplin is their best-seller (£22). It’s lightweight, but perfect to layer with a jacket when the cooler weather comes.
Feminine flare
A-line, ‘fit and flare’ shapes are going to be huge: universally flattering, feminine without being fussy. Look for a high neckline and a fitted bodice that hugs your top half then gently kicks out from the hips.
With its fluted sleeves and frill hem, this is a classic with a twist, £250, aspiga.com
Valentino showed a classic little black fit-and-flare dress on the catwalk, but High Street brand Aspiga have the perfect alternative in navy or a lighter blue, £250.
A brand insider tells me they sell twice as many of this style as any other dress in the autumn. Why? It’s classic with a twist – take note of the fluted sleeves and frill hem – and has plenty of stretch too.
Luxe leopard
We have it-designer Ganni to thank for our love affair with leopard print, which shows no sign of disappearing this season.
Isabel Marant Autumn/Winter 2024 – leopard print shows no sign of disappearing this season
Embrace your wild side with this dress by Nobody’s Child, which has been recently restocked after it sold out the first time around in a week, £75,
But you don’t have to fork out for the Scandi label to embrace your wild side. This version by Nobody’s Child has been recently restocked after it sold out the first time around in a week, so be quick.
What’s the key to its success? It’s loose-fitting yet luxurious and oh-so glamourous – ensuring this look will take you effortlessly from the office to cocktail hour.