Welcome to What Lily Loves, a personal edit of the pieces, places, and ideas currently inspiring me. Think of it as your insider guide to what’s shaping my wardrobe and daily rituals. From standout finds and under-the-radar designers to shopping destinations, cultural hotspots—from restaurants and theatres to podcasts—here are the latest discoveries I’m loving.

The Designer Drop

Mulberry's Stevie Bag

Alongside Christopher Kane’s triumphant return to London Fashion Week as Creative Director at Mulberry, we also saw the launch of the Mulberry Stevie bag. If you’ve been a long-time Bayswater fan, then this one’s for you. From sleek black leather with tonal black hardware to a rich shade of purple, there’s a style to suit every taste and need. There’s also a larger size available if you need room for your laptop. If you’re looking to upgrade your everyday handbag, this is it.

Spotlight On

High Street Coats

Despite loving the heat, after four months of wall-to-wall sunshine, I, along with the rest of the climate-conscious humans on Earth, have been praying for rain. Well, safe to say, our prayers have been answered. Rain is on the cards for most of the week ahead, and temperatures have also taken a dive.

So, what better time to pull last season’s coats out of your wardrobe and look to fill any gaps or replace tired-looking favourites? From Mint Velvet’s faux-fur-trim trench to ME+EM’s sharp wool overcoat, there are plenty of great options that will put a spring in your step on a cold and grey morning.

Shop my edit:

New In This Week

Mytheresa

I love the British High Street, but there are some pieces in my wardrobe that I choose to invest in, especially for winter. I’m always refreshing the Mytheresa new-in page, as it has long been my go-to for investment footwear from brands such as Aeyde and Le Monde Beryl, accessories such as Déhanche belts and Khaite sunglasses, and a great edit of one of my favourite Australian labels, Alemais. If you’re looking to add some special pieces to your wardrobe, here are six items worthy of your attention (and your money).

Shop my edit:

On My Radar

Tim Walker’s Fairyland: Love and Legends

Legendary photographer Tim Walker celebrates queer identity, love and community in his latest exhibition, Fairyland, at the National Portrait Gallery. Known for his whimsical, fairytale-inspired imagery, Walker spent five years photographing queer activists, artists, performers and writers for the project, bringing together a collection of portraits and fantastical landscapes that explore LGBTQ+ culture and self-expression. Curated by Susanna Brown, the exhibition celebrates those challenging conventions and creating space for everyone to be themselves. A companion book features contributions from writers and LGBTQ+ advocates, including Travis Alabanza, Shon Faye and Joelle Taylor. And if you love a post-exhibition gift shop, there’s plenty of super-cool merch to be had, including T-shirts and a collaboration with Pandora, all perfect for Christmas gifts.

The exhibition is running from 9 October 2026 - 7 February 2027. Tickets are available to buy from the National Portrait Gallery website.

In Case You Missed It...

Picture this: I’m sat at the kitchen table, three lamps are on, a pumpkin is in the oven (a first attempt at carrot and pumpkin soup will commence in approximately one hour), and outside the window it’s already dark and raining. The perfect autumnal picture, yes—until I tell you I’m sat here in a shell jacket. Cool? Absolutely. But more field-friendly than dinner-and-drinks appropriate. Clearly experiencing the same fancy coverup dilemma, some of the best-dressed women I know are turning to a far more elevated coat and jacket alternative: faux fur-trim styles. Not too hot, not too cold and bursting with personality.

Coincidentally, or perhaps not, I’ve spotted an uptake in vintage-inspired faux fur-trim jackets popping up on the most influential Instagram accounts—in line with the latest Charlotte Simone drop. The designer is best known for her faux fur shaggy jackets beloved by the likes of Madonna, Taylor Swift, Alexa Chung and Olivia Palermo. My very own chocolate brown Charlotte Simone came out of storage this week—an official declaration that it’s now cold enough to reach for a coat, yet slightly too balmy for a full puffer.

Charlotte Simone isn’t the only brand garnering attention. Rixo’s Mica jacket has been spotted on many a Fashion Editor, with its chinoiserie-inspired floral design proving especially popular. Rotate’s puffball fur-trim coat is a slightly more practical option, while Self-Portrait and Hayley Menzies’ floral-embroidered coats take the trend to its maximalist extreme, demonstrating just how effectively this style can bring personality to otherwise simple outfits.

The high street has an impressively strong collection, too, with Mint Velvet and Zara taking the faux-fur-trim jacket trend in different directions, proving that cosy can be incorporated into every kind of coat design.

Your favourite jeans and a cosy knit are the low-effort styling pieces that will ensure you get daily wear out of these coats.

Read on for our edit of the vintage-inspired faux-fur-trim coats and jackets to invest in now.

Shop Our Edit of Fur-Trim Coats and Jackets

There’s a point each autumn when the trusty jeans combination just needs a little update. This season, an argyle knit, with its overlapping diamond pattern and heritage feel, is the best way to breathe new life into the fail-safe outfit formula.

For autumn/winter 2026, Khaite and Altuzarra are offering a fresh interpretation of this knitwear classic. Try an oversized diamond motif for a bolder take, or introduce a little colour with an argyle cardigan layered over a plain white T-shirt. A short-sleeved knitted tee also works well beneath a blazer, with just enough pattern showing to break up darker tailoring.

We've put to edit of the best argyle knits for every price point. If you’re stuck for styling ideas, start with a classic beige trench, straight-leg jeans and leather ankle boots. Choose a knit in muted shades of grey, chocolate or navy to keep the combination understated, or let a brighter colourway become the focus.

How to Style Argyle Jumpers:

Beyond denim, try an argyle jumper with tailored trousers and loafers for an alternative workwear look, or a neat cardigan with a midi skirt. There’s plenty of scope to play with the pattern, but your existing autumn staples make a good starting point.

Shop the Best Argyle Jumpers

Few things breed impatience quite like watching a movie trailer for a film releasing in three months’ time, a holiday booked a year in advance, or runway trends and styling tricks set to hit the stores next season. I have a solution to the latter, though: simply wear the trends you love now. I’m not talking about whipping out thigh-high skirts and sandals in the middle of October (although it is unseasonably warm). But I do encourage you to cherry-pick the pieces that can actually work year-round—and there are many to be found across the Spring/Summer 27 runways.

The plethora of trench coats spied at Gabriela Hearst, Jean Paul Gaultier, Hermès and more are possibly the most obvious Spring/Summer 27 runway sighting suited to autumn. Shortly followed by double-layered knitwear—yes, cardigans over jumpers, or even just contrasting neck knits, to be that bit cosier. Plus, Prada has confirmed it’s the year, not just the season, of the office-friendly skirt (extra points for pleats, to add a touch of prep.)

And where would we be in the colder months without a scarf? A statement silk or fine wool style is the way to go if you believe Miu Miu and Saint Laurent, and we definitely do.

As the seasons stretch ever longer and the prescribed rules of fashion only seem to keep fading, I encourage you to keep ripping up the fashion rulebook. If you love something, wear it without waiting. For now, we’ve got six styling tips and trends to get you started.

6 Spring/Summer 27 Trends to Wear Now

Satin Shoes

Granted, leather may feel like the more practical pick for shoes, but for those who dare to walk a little on the wild side (pun fully intended), it’s time to start considering satin. Personally, I’d go bold with the colour choice, per Prada, but the fabric adds extra dimension to classic black.

Lilac Hues

If purple was the key colour on the Autumn/Winter 26 runways, lilac is the shade for Spring/Summer 27, and, as a plus-point, the two pair perfectly together. Indeed, looking to the runways of Bottega Veneta, Erdem and Conner Ives, you might be surprised to see just how versatile the colour can be. Beige, green, red and green all feel expertly matched.

Layered Knits

Some styling tips feel intrinsically better suited to autumn than the do summer. Case in point: the layered knit look—and it’s happily foolproof to recreate. Simply take one jumper you love, layer a cardigan, deep V-neck jumper, or chunky snood over the top, and your cosy yet striking outfit is complete.

Office-Friendly Skirts

We’ve heard the term corpcore (aka corporate-core) bandied around for many seasons now, but Spring/Summer 27 has seen the office-friendly trend go full-force. The hero piece? Work-ready skirts, heavily endorsed by Miuccia Prada. Blazers, shirts, knitted vests and roll-necks are all for the taking.

Trench Coats

There is only a small handful of items I’d personally consider a must: a great pair of jeans, a go-to pair of ankle boots, a soft knit and a trench coat. Luckily, designers from Litkovska, Akris and household names Valentino, Chloé, Hermès all agree, sending them down the Spring/Summer 27 runways in delightfully designed droves.

Statement Scarves

Yes, scarves for autumn/winter are a bit of a no-brainer, but with temperatures milder than we are used to, the question is: how to evoke that wintry fashion feel without overheating? Lightweight statement scarves. Whether you prefer boldly patterned silk, striking shades of thin-knit wool, or Tory Burch’s boa, the Spring/Summer 27 runways were awash with options.

Hands up if your wardrobe took a hit when Matches Fashion closed its doors. Keep that hand up if your workwear has felt all the flatter since the in-house brand Raey closed alongside it. If you're sitting with ten fingers in the air, we have good news: Raey intriguingly has "relaunching 2026" in its Instagram bio—meaning the office-friendly label should be back up and running any week now. Watch this space.

Though Raey is, of course, far from the only label the best-dressed women in any office are reaching for—the brands below deliver equally polished-with-an-edge workwear and are the foundation of every stylish woman's working wardrobe.

With Nothing Underneath remains a shirting favourite among the chicest women we know, with an ever-expanding range of shirts, trousers, blazers and other office-friendly pieces. Róhe's fashion-forward staples add an unexpected spin to everyday wardrobe essentials, whether through a bold colour or an interesting cut. Totême's minimalist tops and blazers are a long-loved fashion fan staple. And you'd be hard-pushed to find a fashion editor whose wardrobe doesn't feature a sizeable chunk of Cos. The high street retailer is famed for merging on-trend design with classic workwear pieces for results that feel a touch more of the moment than timeless.

Plus, when looking at lesser-known brands, Nili Lotan, House of Dagmar (where ex-Raey design director Rachel Proud has ventured to) and LouLou de Saison certainly deserve more than a moment of your attention.

Below, a deeper look at why each brand deserves a place in your workwear wardrobe and our edit of what to buy from each. There's far more fun to be had with office dressing than black trousers and a white shirt, after all.

10 Workwear Brands the Best-Dressed Woman in Your Office Swears By

Jigsaw

Jigsaw probably needs little introduction. A UK high street staple since 1970, the brand has long provided every element of our wardrobes: bags, shoes, dresses, coats, the list goes on. And yet, when it comes to workwear, there's a modern flair that sets the label apart—leather midi skirts and all.

House of Dagmar

As Rachel Proud settles into her new role at Stockholm-based House of Dagmar, we're expecting her sleek approach to colour and cut to seep through into the brand's Scandi sensibility. Until her first collection, Spring/Summer 27, the label's signature skirts, jackets and shirts sit alongside some more playful focal pieces.

Nili Lotan

The Nili Lotan philosophy is that clothes should be clean, sophisticated and functional, manifesting in everyday pieces that are versatile enough to pair with a good proportion of your wardrobe. This season sees a slightly Western theme: medallion belts, corduroy and rich suede fabrics, included.

Me + Em

Flattering, functional, fashion and fair are the four F's forming the foundation of ME + EM, the high street stalwart focused on making professional-feeling pieces that go far beyond the classic trouser and shirt. Weaving trending colour palettes and prints with timeless designs, each collection feels effortlessly suited to the office.

With Nothing Underneath

London-based label With Nothing Underneath started with shirting and quickly worked its way into the wardrobes of the coolest dressers in the city and beyond. It has since expanded into dresses, trousers, jackets and knits, but it's the shirts that remain the workwear must-haves.

Loulou De Saison

Chloé Harrouche, founder of Loulou De Saison, created the brand with simplistic Parisian styling in mind. Its clean cuts, luxury fabrics and pared-back colour palettes all effortlessly lean into office-friendly style.

Róhe

Róhe has carved out a niche as a minimalist label with flair. Think everyday officewear staples that are slightly more striking in design, whether through a bold colour, an eye-catching print or a voluminous shape that's more interesting than your standard workwear finds. It's those small design tweaks that make it a fixture in many a well-dressed woman's wardrobe.

Tôteme

There are a handful of Totême pieces that have earned their place in the fashion hall of fame: the blazer, the shearling jacket and the knit tank top, all of which appear in tenfold while scrolling through any fashion fan's social media feed. Timeless staples are where the Stockholm-based brand excels, spanning tops, bottoms, dresses and jackets.

Cos

You'd be hard-pushed to find a fashion editor whose wardrobe doesn't feature a hefty chunk of Cos. Merging trend with timeless design, the high street label excels at building a workwear wardrobe that's far from boring yet entirely office-appropriate. Spanning dresses, shirting, suiting and accessories, it's something of a one-stop shop for every office-friendly outfit.

TWP

TWP, standing for founder and creative director Trish Wescoat Pound, was originally created as an answer to classic American sportswear, but has since gone on to span all elements of our wardrobes—workwear, included. "The wardrobe is luxurious, but not precious, it is a reflection of how women want to dress," is the key quote from the label, highlighting how each piece, although beautiful, will always be functional first.

Quiet luxury, pared-back minimalism, classic and sleek: just a handful of the phrases I’ve lost count of using to describe runway looks in recent years. Take this as a full confession that I should, yes, absolutely widen my descriptive vocabulary. Thankfully, those terms will be taking a break for the foreseeable—and not just because I've been hunting for synonyms. Trends and our own interpretations of them are changing, rather sharply. Personality being the word back in full focus.

Fashion brands are stamping their own DNA into each look more firmly than they have in past seasons. And across the Autumn/Winter 26 collections now landing in stores, distinct trends have been bypassed in favour of more individual styling and stronger brand signals. Take Khaite’s military moment, Miu Miu’s girlish influence and Chloé’s focus on craft as just a handful of examples.

Away from the runway, women on the street and our social media style heroines are visibly adding their own mark to every outfit. When I analyse it, I can see that my own wardrobe is starting to look less prescribed and far more personal. Could the era of the trend, of the uniform-like outfit, be over? The answer, seemingly, screams yes. And according to Renia Jaz, a content creator famed for her distinctive style, it all comes down to fashion fatigue.

“We see so many trends and micro-trends come and go so quickly that it can become exhausting trying to keep up with them all. I think people are starting to realise that they don’t need to,” she tells me. The over-saturation of runway trends, in-store clothing rotations, influencer snaps, get-ready-with-me videos and the general breakneck speed of the industry is finally working in the opposite direction: we want to dress for ourselves, not the way the industry tells us we should.

Which is, quite simply, the essence of personality dressing, as Jaz describes it. “Personality dressing is about wearing something that genuinely feels like you. It’s about using fashion to show a little bit of who you are and what kind of person you are, but also wearing clothes that make you feel confident in yourself.”

Shop Renia's Style

“For a while, quiet luxury became such a dominant aesthetic that fashion started to feel a little uniform. There was a lot of the same minimalism, neutral colours and very polished styling, and I think people are now ready to have a little more fun with their clothes again,” observes Jaz.

This doesn't have to mean loud, extravagant or even full of colour. Just a wardrobe that feels like you—not the influencer with 50,000 followers, nor the latest trending look plastered all over the high street. And by leaning further into their own DNA, fashion houses are making a claim on their customer base, pleasing them rather than attempting to convert a wider audience. It may just be their smartest tactic yet.

But how do you rediscover your personal style, or find it in the first place? That’s the question now in need of an answer. According to British designer and stylist Lucinda Chambers, whose wardrobe is a melange of print and colour, it’s all “about stripping back, paring down, clearing out the things that don’t make you feel either comfortable, joyous, elegant or interesting. Those are the rules.” Dressing by heart, essentially.

Shop Lucinda's Style

“Colour is a great way to start,” Chambers continues, “and not necessarily bright and loud. It can be navy and black, but with shapes and proportions that sit right with yourself. I tend to go for exaggeration, huge trousers and a slim coat, or huge coat, narrow trousers. But size matters to me as I don’t want to slip into normal boring.”

For Jaz, “it’s often in the details and in the way I mix things together”. Think statement earrings, attention-grabbing shoes or the crossover of masculine and feminine elements to add an unexpected twist to something more classic. “I’m a big believer in mixing old and new. I love bringing vintage pieces into my outfits or rediscovering something that has been in my wardrobe for years and styling it with something new.”

And if you’re tapping into a trend, try to make it your own, says Hannah Brown, who has garnered over 300,000 followers on Instagram in just a few months by sharing a daily outfit video before leaving the house. The appeal? Brown has fun with her wardrobe, mixing colour, metallics and fringing.

“The same trend can be worn by thousands of people, but it’s someone interpreting it uniquely that grabs the most attention. I’ll happily borrow from a trend or buy a trending item, but I don’t want it dictating the entire look. I want the outfit to still feel like me.”

Shop Hannah's Style

Ultimately, it’s proof that, as Jaz puts it, “You don’t need an entirely new wardrobe to express your personality—sometimes an older or vintage piece is exactly what makes a look interesting and uniquely yours.”

And perhaps that's the most freeing part of all: there are no real rules to break, save the ones you set yourself. “Rules are meant to be broken,” says Chambers. “If we stuck with them we would all look identical and that would be a very dull world”. So, embrace the era of wearing whatever it is you like. The women who have always done so are, in my opinion, the very best dressed.

AI has been mischief-making in 2026. A question mark over its use delivered a fatal blow to the publishing industry; Jerry Falade’s mutli-million book deal disappeared overnight after his agent was, “no longer able to authenticate how the manuscript fully evolved from origin to completion”, according to The Guardian. The paper also exclusively reported a worrying statistic in conjunction with the Loss of Control Observatory, “Number of times AI lies, ignores instructions and pursues goals in harmful ways almost doubles in July.” This has led to reflection at the highest echelons, although arguably not where we need it most. Last month, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an online essay called We Must Pace the Frontier. One sentence was bolded up in the introduction: “We must slow the pace at which we improve the capabilities of AI models. Progress will still seem fast, and we must make wise use of the time we gain.”

Fashion has not escaped the advance of AI, with mounting evidence to suggest it’s embedded in the industry (AI-generated campaigns at brands like Prada, Valentino and Mango, are just more publicised examples). In a guest essay for The New York Times, Amy Odell wrote about the rise of companies using algorithms to decide what to actually design: “Fashion slop is the logical next step in the evolution of ready-to-wear clothing,” she wrote, adding that what this signals is nothing short of, “the triumph of money over art and craft”. Brands have also started integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) into their websites (ChatGPT is an example of an LLM). Alice + Olivia is one of them. “Our customer may know exactly what she wants, but very often, she starts with a moment, an occasion, or an idea: “I’m going to a wedding,” “I’m packing for Italy,” or “I need something chic for a rehearsal dinner.” LLMs allow us to interpret the context behind what a customer is asking and connect that intent to the right products, styles, and inspiration,” says Stacey Bendet, CEO and creative director. “I see it as an additional intelligent discovery layer and another way for us to connect with our customer based on her intent and where she is in her journey.”

The backlash seems to arise when its use infringes on the roles of real people (H&M’s use of “digital twins”, for example, an initiative which was paused earlier this year) or creativity. The use of robots at Vogue World this September also divided opinion, raising questions about the place of automation in fashion and the extent to which technology should replace human involvement.

AI’s potential to be misused is another concern (Meta’s AI glasses have faced a barrage of criticism, although that has not stopped people buying them). “When brands use AI models, they find themselves in the news for all the wrong reasons. People feel duped,” says Clare Press, author of Wear Next: Fashioning the Future, and host of the Wardrobe Crisis podcast.

Does AI have a role to play in a more sustainable fashion industry? “I can imagine an AI-powered future where big data allows on-demand production at scale, potentially by sewbots in dark factories. Maybe new clothes and accessories will be only digitally printed after the customer places an order, and there will be no more stock gathering dust in warehouses. Maybe, as I wrote in my book, we’ll do this ourselves in local-maker labs, and we’ll shop for patterns rather than finished garments.” She’s largely unconvinced, however. “I remain sceptical about broader sustainability pitches for AI. Look over here at our shiny new method of carbon accounting! Or here, at how we’re revolutionising resale online! But too often we neglect to consider the broader systems behind all this. What happens to the workers who lose their jobs as a result of automation? Who has a plan for a just transition, or is even talking about it?”

Some app-developers are finding innovative ways to use AI, helping independent designers, for example, meet a more global audience. Naia is a social discovery platform whose tagline is, “the taste network for emerging fashion.” Its founder and CEO, Miloni Sheth, says the app helps to create a growth channel for brands that is built around customer intent. “AI helps us understand broader patterns in what people are looking for, how demand is shifting and where new interests may be emerging, so we can connect designers with audiences that are more likely to respond to their work,” she says, adding that designers are given access to game-changing data. “Beyond showing them what is resonating today, we can use AI to turn those signals into more predictive indicators of demand, helping them test ideas, understand what may be gaining momentum and make more informed decisions about future collections before committing to production.” For Sheth, AI is not a replacement for the human touch. “I think the more interesting future is creative people using much more powerful tools, with human judgment still guiding the process.”

In 2024, Turkish accessories brand Misela celebrated its 15th anniversary with a campaign and exhibition titled Crafting Realms, created by award-winning director Alphan Eşeli. Misela founder Serra Türker Bayır wanted to create 15 distinct campaign images for 15 different women and cities around the world—something that would only be possible for an independent business by using AI. The result was a case study demonstrating the benefits of using AI to generate imagery when financial constraints would otherwise make such a campaign unfeasible. But this raises a more fundamental question: if the budget doesn’t allow for it, why do it at all?”

Instead, the human touch is what some brands are choosing to celebrate. Hermès regularly commissions illustrators, musicians, animators and water-colourists to bring its products to life online with exquisite whimsy. And what about the next-generation of designers?

“Several of my design students refuse to use AI at all—they see it as something which would compromise their creative approach,” says Giles Pearson, senior lecturer in Fashion Design at London College of Fashion, UAL, who adds: “My personal feeling is that the more we see AI become a fundamental skill in the design industry, the more we will see the great visionaries reject it, and more exciting work and designers will emerge.”

“We would love to invite Felicity to our London Fashion Week show; dressing will be provided.”

An email that once felt like a golden ticket into an industry that had so often shunned plus-size models quickly became: “We’ll send a selection of earrings and accessories.”

That was the moment, in 2019, I decided I wouldn’t attend another show that wasn’t size inclusive.

Too often, the plus-size community are expected to feel lucky simply to be included. But trust me when I say, there is nothing ‘lucky’ about being invited somewhere and then being told there is nothing for your body to wear, particularly when the plus-size market is estimated to be worth £10 billion in the UK alone.

Every season we have a new conversation about diversity and inclusion, but quite frankly I’ve stopped listening to the empty promises and started vigorously looking at the numbers.

For the past four years I’ve tracked curve representation across New York, London, Milan and Paris, looking at who is creating space for the curve community and, more importantly, who is disappearing and cutting ties.

Having one curve model appearing on a runway when size diversity is having a cultural moment isn’t a meaningful change, it’s cosplaying as inclusion. We really need to stop allowing the industry to keep using our bodies as a ‘trend’, we’ve gone from witnessing models put on weight half way through the 2010s to when body positivity was at its peak, to the middle of the 2020s when 90’s heroin chic has sadly made a comeback, with smaller models taking easily available weight loss medication to become extremely worryingly underweight.

I also don’t believe the responsibility of making fashion more inclusive should continue to fall on the shoulders of the few independent designers willing to do it.

Why are the brands with the biggest budgets, the largest teams and the most resources so often the ones allowing smaller labels to lead the way?

These emerging designers are the ones investing in broader sizing and taking the commercial risk of proving that there is a demand for it.

At some point, the question has to be, if smaller brands can find a way to make inclusivity work, what exactly is stopping the fashion houses with considerably more resources from doing the same?

So, let’s take a look at the numbers from this season, because there has been significant change across all four cities. I’ll let you find out if it’s been positive or disappointing below.

New York

With over 103 designers showing this season and an average of 35 looks per show, there were around 3,605 looks on the runways.

Of those, 39 were considered curve or plus. That is a nearly 50% increase from last season. Although we are nowhere near the top stats of 2023, it is nice to see a balance back in the big apple after last season’s poor attendance.

The designer who loyally flies the flag for representation season after season is Christian Siriano, who cast seven plus-size girls on his runway this season. Not to mention there was also a plethora of off-schedule shows fully embracing the plus size movement. We just need the big fashion houses to step up, too.

London

Over 50 designers showed in London this season and with an average of 32 looks per show, there were around 1,605 looks on the runways.

Only 21 of them were considered curve or plus.

Without the powerhouses that are Sinead O’Dwyer and Karoline Vitto this season perhaps it was no surprise London was down by 56.3% in size inclusion.

It was, once again, an independent designer, Di Petsa who held the torch for plus size in the big smoke, with five curve models.

What is happening in our city? This is the lowest London has been since the start of my report in 2019. It was also the first year I also got no LFW invites. It really feels like the UK has done a 180 and turned its back on us, not only in size inclusion on the runway, but in the front row seats, too. Plus-size bodies and voices are disappearing from these high-profile fashion moments and we must keep uplifting those who are advocating for change. We’ve all worked too hard to be erased.

Milan

With over 56 designers showing this season and an average of 42 looks per show, there were around 2,350 looks on the runways. Twelve of them were considered curve or plus.

However, before we start to celebrate that Milan has more than doubled its inclusion this season, it’s important to note that seven out of 12 of those models were from the Vogue World show, which was hosted in Milan this year. A production which was funded by Eli Lilly, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies specialising in weight-loss injections and pills.

A sponsor for a global fashion show, whose biggest product is Mounjaro, in an industry that is rife with eating disorders and body-image issues… that is who Vogue decided was the aligned partner for this show.

I personally don’t believe this increase is a win for Milan, because the added numbers only come with a toxic partnership.

Marco Rambaldi has been the only designer consistently showing curve models in Milan for the last few years, with three curve models coming from his show this season.

Paris

Paris is a busy city. With over 95 designers showing this season and an average of 42 looks per show, there were around 3,990 looks on the runways.

Of those, 43 were considered curve or plus. That is a 139% increase from last season.

The standout designer was Ester Manas with 16 curve models.

Rick Owens also brought back two plus-size models; I was starting to believe his SS25 inclusion of 16 plus-size models was a gimmick, so glad to see there was some curve this season.

It was also great to see Precious Lee for Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood. Not to mention the first big and tall male models we’ve seen this season (and for the last couple of years) walked for Matières Fecale.

Total SS27 Plus-Size Representation

This is the first time Paris has been at the top and London has been third. As much as it is a huge win for Paris, they have only earned that title because London decreased its inclusivity by 56.3%.

And there’s another caveat. When we look deeper into the insights from each city, the number of curve models as a percentage of total looks shown is pretty bleak.

Even though Milan is historically always the lowest in catwalk curve representation, the city’s percentage is actually higher, at 2.38%, than this season’s overall-number leader Paris, trailing with 1.08%.

I’ve always focused on number of looks as the primary metric, but with 41% of the global population considered plus size, to see that none of the cities are representing above 3% is a stark reminder of how much work the industry still needs to do.

The highest numbers we’ve ever seen for curve representation was in 2023 for New York, London and Paris. Right now we are at around 50% less of those stats.

I still believe the numbers should be higher, but in the current climate, where weight loss drugs are so easily available and the skinnytok agenda is being insidiously pushed, I sadly think will we just be yo-yoing numbers into the next body image trend.

Let's keep up the pressure and I’ll be back to keep fashion accountable and report on any progress – or otherwise – at the February 2027 shows.

Summer, it's been fun but it finally—finally!—feels like colder temperatures have arrived. And if you're feeling a bit thrown for a loop after an unseasonably warm September, there's one hot-weather outfit formula that you can quickly Autumn-ify. All you need to do is substitute the "nice top" for a trophy jacket in the famous "jeans and a nice top" outfit formula.

In Paris, jeans became the "casual" vehicle by which to wear really quite fancy jackets during the day. Céline Dion kickstarted the "jeans and a trophy jacket" formula to greet the paparazzi stationed outside her hotel—and, since then, we've seen every hot jacket (tweed jackets; military jackets; leather jackets) coupled with jeans. The final ingredient in many cases is a nostalgic court heel (imagine!), making this a trifecta—jacket + jeans + heels—that you almost certainly have in your wardrobe. The trio is very '90s red carpet when celebrities didn't coordinate every look with a stylist but, instead, wore a mix of their own clothes and gifts from favourite brands, delivering less polish but way more personality.

Céline Dion

Céline Dion's tour looks have been a collection of jaw-dropping gowns (not an overstatement!), but her on-the-street outfits have been just as captivating, particularly this peplum-waisted jacket paired with straight-legged jeans (Givenchy by Sarah Burton). A peplum waist might trigger alarm bells, understandably, but it's actually a very sensible partner for straight-up-and-down denim, providing not just contrast but sculptural interest.

Daisy Edgar-Jones

Daisy Edgar-Jones has engaged in some on-point period dressing while promoting Sense and Sensibility. And while the corseted gowns and archival pendant necklaces were ravishing, it, again, was a jeans-and-jacket combination that captured our attention (her take on a modern-day Elinor). It felt like a particularly good way to wear a military jacket, which can feel slightly on-the-nose paired with tailoring. Instead, low-rise jeans with a very slight flare (perhaps even too slight to be called "boot-leg") were the perfect foil.

Sarah Pidgeon

Sarah Pidgeon put a trophy spin on everyone's favourite jacket. Her take on leather wasn't an oversized biker or a minimal blazer (very CBK) but, instead, a cinch-waisted, bell-sleeved style that had as much romance (and softness) as one can eke out of leather (bravo, Balenciaga!). The split-hem jeans, with frayed edges trailing under the spike of a court-heel stiletto, added a counterbalance of grunge.

For garment workers in the dense industrial hub that surrounds Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, a typical day begins at 5am. They make breakfast for their families and clean the house before walking to work—a journey that can take up to an hour.

In Dhaka, the weather is both warm and humid—the temperature rarely drops below 26°C, and in the summer months it can reach as high as 45°C. During heatwaves, which are increasingly frequent and protracted as global warming’s consequences land, inside the factories, where T-shirts and trousers are made for the world’s biggest clothing companies, temperatures can be a sweltering 38°C.

And it’s not just in Bangladesh—across China, India and Vietnam, where much of the world’s clothing is produced, rising heat stress is threatening the lives and health of the people (mostly women) who work along the supply chain. Less than two per cent of them are paid a living wage to cut and assemble clothing under the immense pressure of volume-based production targets.

The speed of their labour is the last price component that can be squeezed in fashion’s seemingly bottomless search for the cheapest goods. Materials, electricity and logistic costs are relatively fixed, so when a fashion brand demands a lower price, labour is the only movable variable.

Now, ultra-fast-fashion brands and mass retailers, from Shein to Kmart, sell T-shirts for as little as £2.16. Before the retail mark-up is applied, the cost price might be just a third of this. And once fabric and overheads are accounted for, there are mere cents left for the people who construct and sew garments.

As heat adds another layer of stress and risk to jobs already fraught with zero-hour contracts (where there is no guarantee of minimum hours), no sick leave and hazardous working environments, the fashion industry is facing a reckoning over its treatment of workers.

“We wear bras, blouses, sarees and aprons in 40°C heat. It feels like being locked inside a pressure cooker at high flame,” says a 36-year-old sewing machine operator from India who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Sometimes, I think I’m like a broiler chicken—just waiting to burst.”

She has been working in the garment industry for nine years and has a number of strategies in place to meet her production targets, fearing scolding from line supervisors if she falls behind. She avoids drinking water to minimise toilet use and chews gum to suppress thirst. “I only pee at lunch or after I reach home,” she says. “That’s how I survive, by controlling my body.”

Another 39-year-old woman from India works as a fusing operator—a physically demanding job using a heat press machine to attach brand labels onto garments. She has been in the industry for five years and works at a factory that produces clothes for major international brands where the production pressure to meet high volume targets is intense. “If I go to the toilet, when I come back, my table is loaded with garment pieces and I’ll be yelled at. So I control myself from peeing to avoid scolding. I hardly drink water—only when I feel like fainting will I drink a little,” she says.

A 33-year-old tailor (also from India) who works six days a week to support her household describes the factory—which has no ventilation and only a few functioning fans—as a “furnace with no relief” in the summer months. She is on a day-pay contract with minimal security and no benefits and is expected to make 120 to 130 pieces per hour.

“If I don’t meet my piece count, I won’t get paid,” she says. “We don’t even have time to wipe the sweat off our faces. If we stop, the pieces won’t get done—and then the supervisor scolds us in front of everyone. That’s very humiliating.” As we have seen across Europe this summer, extreme heat is no longer a projected threat—it is already disrupting lives all over the world. Every one of the past 11 years has been one of the hottest on record.

The World Meteorological Organisation has confirmed that the global average surface temperature in 2025 was 1.44°C above the pre-industrial average.

In the worst affected places, temperatures are also rising at night, limiting the ability of anyone without air conditioning to experience a reprieve. But despite its prevalence, and the fact that it is the leading cause of weather-related deaths globally, heat is viewed differently to other extreme weather events. Because droughts, floods and bushfires are visually more dramatic, the threat they pose to human life is better understood.

By contrast, extreme heat is viewed as an annoyance, and experts say we are unprepared for its catastrophic health impacts and how unevenly it affects different social groups. Dr Harshita Umesh is the founder of Vaada Hope Foundation and a surgeon in training from Bengaluru, India.

Garment workers present at the hospital where she is a resident with a range of health problems, many of them compounded by the heat and their precarious working conditions. These include dehydration, headaches, fainting, cardiovascular strain, an inability to concentrate which results in injury, gastrointestinal issues from food spoilage and insufficient water intake, urinary tract infections, kidney stones and irritability that can result in violence from their managers.

To make matters worse for the women inside the factories, extreme heat’s impact on menopause, pregnancy and fertility is under-researched. “Garment workers usually drink very, very little water so that they don’t have to use the restroom. The consequences of that ends up being a urinary tract infection, it ends up being sepsis, it ends up being kidney stones, it ends up being people in the hospital,” Umesh says. Heat is “an underlying stress that exacerbates everything else around it”, especially for female garment workers who may already be in “a chronic condition of starvation and are under a lot of stress already”.

In two reports released at the end of 2025, human rights campaigners Amnesty International accused fashion brands, factory owners and the governments of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka of failing to ensure garment workers had the right to unionise and collectively bargain.

The harsh reality of these workers’ lives—powerless to demand better conditions and under such intense time pressure that bathroom breaks are out of reach—is just one part of the inhumanity in these jobs.

Another is that they do not have paid sick leave, and Umesh recounts stories of women who present in hospital, needing treatment, but refuse it because they cannot afford to take the time off work. “If you have a quota to meet, you might not go to the doctor on time,” she says. Meaning something like a small injury to a finger can get infected and swollen. Usually, such an injury would be curable with medication and time, but if “you have to go back to work or your family will starve”, you will refuse treatment.

She recounts incidents of patients returning when the infection becomes too bad to ignore—if it’s spread to the bone, the only option to save their life is to amputate the finger. “Every garment we wear tells a story and it shouldn’t be one of blood, sweat and tears,” Umesh says. “Workers must be paid a living wage, not because the world is watching but out of respect for human dignity and life.”

To make an already difficult situation even worse, the solutions—air conditioning and extra fans—are compromised by how much they cost to install, old infrastructure that cannot physically support them and by pressure from the fashion industry to decarbonise the supply chain, which means using less electricity, not more.

Solutions are further compromised by global instability impacting fuel sources. In May, due to energy shortages linked to the Iran war, Bangladesh manufacturers were forced to turn off fans and air conditioning to save power while temperatures peaked. Pivoting to renewable energy from solar panels seems like a logical solution, but infrastructure and who shoulders the expense of installation remains a barrier.

While the issues of the industry’s environmental harms and contribution to global warming are entwined with the harm it perpetrates on workers in its supply chains —namely through over-production—there is an urgency missing from the industry’s approach to the health impacts of heat stress. Grace Forrest, the founding director of the human rights organisation Walk Free, believes the fashion industry is too focused on innovation to lessen its environmental footprint.

“Right now, harmful impact is far outpacing the delivery of effective and structural sustainability solutions,” she says. “Many of the ‘solutions’ will not address the human harms stitched into the fashion industry.”

Dr Hakan Karaosman is a supply chain expert and associate professor at Politecnico di Milano. He believes at least part of the solution is fashion brands changing their business models and accepting that they must pay a fair price. “We are seeing production as a commodity. We are seeing workers as a commodity. So we don’t really humanise the workforce,” he explains. “Let’s ask the workers how we can help them improve their conditions so they can be more dignified.”

The women who gave their voices to this article asked for urgent, basic interventions that are so simple it is heartbreaking to consider how difficult their working days are. “A glass of lime water—if [lime] is too expensive, then at least cold water. Something to make it bearable,” the 33-year-old tailor says.

Other requests include more frequent and unpenalised toilet breaks, air coolers or air conditioners during high-temperature periods, electrolyte water, better ventilation and roofs that are made of materials other than metal. The 36-year-old sewing machine operator asks for something that would help the people at the top—those making the decisions that impact the workers’ lives—have more empathy for them.

“Let the directors of these fashion brands sit in our seats—just for one hour,” she says. “Let them feel this heat, this sweat, this pain. Maybe then they’ll realise that they are killing us for their profits.”

This story was initially published by Lucianne Toni on the Marie Claire Australia website

Wind, rain, sunshine and a temperature that's too cold for bare arms one minute but too hot for a coat the next? Even if we couldn't see the calendar, we'd know it was autumn — unofficially dubbed one of the most difficult seasons to dress for, especially in 2026, as we continue to experience temperatures in excess of 23 degrees. But there is an easy solution courtesy of best-dressed women worldwide: long-sleeve T-shirts.

This often-overlooked staple is far from groundbreaking, granted. But it does offer endless versatility, allowing us to wear all the same outfits as we would with a regular T-shirt, vest top or shirt, while also adding that extra layer of warmth.

Take Marilyn's striped tee and denim midi skirt look as one example. Fashion stylist Lauren Eggerston contrasting an acid yellow satin pencil skirt as another. Or Anouk Yve's easy trouser and loafers combo, as additional proof of just how easily the long-sleeve tee can slot into any wardrobe. And right now, any and every colour you can think of is right now up for grabs.

"I currently have three long sleeve tops in my Zara basket one is bright yellow, one is turquoise and one is yellow ," says Fashion Director Lily Russo-Bah, the last of which you'll find below in our long-sleeve T-shirt shopping edit. While neutral shades of white, cream, brown and black serve as everyday staples, bolder colours and stripes make for more of a statement.

And, if you want to add an even further dimension to your look, consider styling your long-sleeve top as a layering piece, either under a colour-contrasting T-shirt or beneath a button-down shirt. Just scroll on for our edit of the best long-sleeve tees to shop now.

Shop Long-Sleeve T-Shirts

The terms it girl, muse and style inspiration get bandied around all too often, but when Mulberry names a bag after someone, you know for certain they're a key face in fashion. And few are quite as famous as Alexa Chung, making the model-turned-TV-presenter-turned-designer-turned muse's collaboration with Reformation all the more exciting.

Landing on the Reformation website and in select stores from 2pm on Monday 5th October, the 30-piece range is a highly anticipated edit of Chung's signature styling: vintage-feeling, full of rich textures and subtly sexy. And, of course, there are a couple of Peter Pan collars in there too, for good measure.

But while highlights include a purple strapless silk dress, a handful of stiletto mules and a sequin evening bag worth of any party, the edit cleverly toes the line between everyday and evening. A great pair of jeans, black contrasting trench coat and stripy knit marking the capsule as an all-rounder.

And as the proud owner of an Alexa Chung own-brand—hands up if you too remember that—cream silk tiered skirt and banana-printed tee, I personally couldn't be happier to see her flex her design fingers once again. Below, an edit of some standout styles.

Shop Reformation x Alexa Chung

Sometimes we're so fixated on the nuts and bolts of an outfit and following easy outfit formulas (especially when short on time) that we forget how much impact a well-chosen add-on can have on the overall wow factor of a look. Not this Autumn. On the runway, it was the finishing touches, as they might once have been called, that were impossible to ignore – and are ultimately what help us develop our own personal style. These "power pieces" ranged from the practical – layering combinations that mean you don't need to buy anything, but simply reconsider how to wear two garments together – to the decidedly playful (handbags shaped like amphibians and earrings designed to dazzle).

So, if you've been feeling a little lost and, instead of overhauling your entire wardrobe, are looking for small ways to buy into new season trends and develop your own personal style, consider this your guide to Autumn/Winter's low-effort styling hacks that will make every outfit better.

The Autumn/Winter 2026 'Power Pieces' That Will Make Every Outfit Better

Anti "It" Bags

The "It" bag looks a little different for Autumn/Winter 2026. At Louis Vuitton, it was shaped—or whittled—into a portable wooden shed, with miniature "logs" lining its sloping roof and a mere pentagon of monogrammed leather. Dior's novelty bag was a snap-closure purse that wouldn't have looked out of place on a lily pad with its webbed "feet" and frog green velvet. Givenchy's bag might have resembled a bag, but it was otherwise festooned, with fringed and floral bag charms that covered one side like a living wall. A dinky satin drawstring pouch that dangles from one wrist feels like the easiest way to do it, especially during party season when practicality isn't the main priority.

Corsages

A corsage used to be a byword for a rather demure flower. It's now discovered its dramatic side, however. At Chanel, a corsage of jet black feathers was the jaunty addition to new-gen tweed jackets. Altuzarra moved away from flora altogether, creating a fringed corsage that looked vaguely botanical, sure, but certainly not demure. Pin yours onto the lapel of a tailored blazer or military-inspired jacket for instant flair.

Belts

Once an accessory designed to hold up one's trousers as opposed to making a statement of intent, belts are becoming the main-character of many outfits. Celine's medallion belt is practically a collector's item (both the buckle and leather were rendered in red this Autumn/Winter). Miu Miu's ritzy, glitzy belts were actually worn outside belt loops—a subversive take somewhat tempered by the sheer amount of rhinestones. Valentino, meanwhile, turned sashes into jewel-toned waist-cinchers. What could be more elegant after-dark?

Clever Layering

How you wear an item of clothing is just as meaningful as the garment itself for Autumn/Winter, with clever layering combinations that made the most of every component. At Tom Ford, this meant a transparent pencil skirt that revealed the pairing of a striped button-down and lace stockings. Lanvin heroed the turtleneck, meanwhile, using a fine-gauge style to add colour (not to mention an extra layer of cosiness) to several looks. Finally, Emilia Wickstead, who popped a denim shirt under a tweedy dress—adding chic to one garment and cool to the other.

Pendant Necklaces

An enamel tulip; an articulated fish, just two examples of the pendants that are guaranteed to become cult add-ons this Autumn/Winter (Dries Van Noten also dispensed with a blouse to give its pendant, which is already sold out online, a background of bare skin). Dangling a few inches short of the navel in most cases—and incorporating bohemian tassels and unexpected charms—they're the ideal partner for high-necked blouse (very Chloé-coded) or a lived-in suede blazer.

Statement Earrings

No power piece has aged as well as the power earring, an '80s staple that was a resounding trend this Autumn/Winter. How you wear your hair will play into which lobe decorations you'll lean towards, although it has to be said—all suit fuss-free styles. Marni's polished orbs look particularly elegant with a pulled-back low ponytail. Saint Laurent's crystallised birds, with the quite the wingspan, also suit a simple yet effective bun. Chanel's paste and pearl drop earrings, meanwhile, might pair nicely with a chignon but, otherwise, you can either wear a cocktail dress or a starched white shirt.

Brooches

Brooches have long dusted off their old-fashioned identity. The way to ensure yours reads as "fashion" as opposed to "fusty", however, is with its placement. Instead of a lapel or breast pocket, opt for a lesser-spotted position. You could fasten yours around the laces of a sturdy brogue. Or use it to decorate a felted ham brim or the hem of a knee-length pleated skirt for a modern take on a traditional kilt pin. And don't feel cornered into adopting a "one and done" mantra. A constellation of brooches, perhaps falling just so down the side of a sweater or adorning the loop of a scarf, is a winning approach this Autumn.

Yes, stereotypes aren't always accurate, but one week in Milan proved one thing for certain: Italian women have truly mastered the art of timeless style. And one item in particular was behind countless sleek outfits of the street style set: the simple shift dress, in every variation.

The shift dress's appeal to Italian women comes as little surprise, considering Miuccia Prada is one of its biggest backers, regularly putting the style on both the Prada and Miu Miu runways. But since its 1920's inception—thanks, many say, to Coco Chanel—surprisingly little has changed.

The straight-up-and-down shape remains the key silhouette, while hem lengths vary from the thigh-high short to the mid-calf, for something more modest. And you'll find every variation of neckline from an extra-low scoop to a T-shirt like design, which means there's a shift dress to suit every personal style. For which the women at Milan Fashion Week offer plenty of inspiration.

For a more evening-ready look, leave your shift dress as the sole focal point, worn with only layered jewellery and a simple pair of pumps or over-the-knee boots. For an office-friendly outfit, look to layer a long-sleeve tee or shirt beneath your shift dress and finish with a loafer. And for something even cosier once the cooler weather rolls around, consider a jumper and a thick pair of tights. Essentially, it makes for a great layering piece that easily adapts with the seasons.

Fans of the shift dress aren't exclusive to Italy, with stylish women around the world returning to this classic shape for a polished look year-round. American content creator Blair Eadie was recently spotted in an easy transitional outfit, layering a barn jacket over a shift dress while the balmy weather hangs on just a little longer.

That said, the choice of which shift to choose comes down to you, and whether a classic black cotton, autumn-ready corduroy, or a more focal-point pattern best suits your style and wardrobe. Keep in mind that this one dress can go on to create an impressive number of outfits.

Below, the shift dresses worth a scroll.

Shop Shift Dresses

It’s officially autumn. The weather has (finally) cooled down enough for jackets, lightweight layers and even a fine knit or two. But for me, the best thing about the turn of the season has to be shopping for the best trend-led wardrobe updates.

As a shopping editor, it’s second nature for me to scour every retailer’s new-in page as soon as a new season hits, and I’m particularly impressed with the latest drops. The AW26 trends are a beautiful balance of eye-catching design and surprising versatility. I can see myself wearing every single one (which for me is pretty much unheard of).

From country dressing to clever layering, you might have elements of each trend in your wardrobe already. If not, they probably fill a gap you didn't know you had. So if you prefer to stick to wearable, timeless pieces, there are plenty to choose from.

Over my years as an editor, I've discovered that committing fully to a new trend can feel daunting, so I’ve found a workaround. Every piece you see below is an easy update to your wardrobe—no big statement pieces, but rather, effortless accents to add to the outfits you already love. Think wearable prints, trend-led pops of colour and plays on silhouette and texture.

I’m a strong believer that shopping the trends doesn’t have to mean paying a fortune, so I’ve only selected pieces that are currently on sale—with a mixture of high street and high end items. Oh, and I’ve added in relevant links to Marie Claire’s exclusive discount codes to get you even better prices on every selection you see below. You can thank me later.

For the full lowdown on the best trends of the season, see our Fashion Director’s in-depth AW26 trend report and to discover the effortless and affordable pieces that will incorporate said trends into your wardrobe, read on.

18 Trend-led Wardrobe Updates for Autumn

1. Velvet

2. Red

3. Modern suiting

4. Leopard print

5. Polished folk

6. Drop waist designs

7. Layer up

8. Very demure

9. Check print

10. Country dressing

As the cold weather inches ever closer, it’s tempting to switch out your entire summer wardrobe for a brand new autumnal one. But while incorporating a few new autumn/winter trends is always fun, nailing your autumn basics can be just as satisfying. Those that will see you through many years to come—no matter the trends.

The midseason sales are in full swing, so there are plenty of chic autumn basics on sale right now—but where to start? As a shopping editor, I always approach sales with a conscious mindset. It’s easy to be blinded by an impressive discount on a big-name brand, but there are a few important questions to consider before buying.

Can you style it with multiple outfits you already own? Does it use materials that'll stand the test of time? And can you see yourself still wearing it in three years? Ultimately, staying true to what works for your body, personal preference and lifestyle is key to building a wardrobe that lasts. The fact that it’s on sale should simply be an added bonus.

If you still find sale shopping a little daunting, you’re in luck, as I’ve done the research for you. You’ll find a carefully curated shopping guide below—pieces that offer the best of both worlds in terms of longevity and value. Think classic trench coats, light knitwear and timeless prints to cut through the neutral-toned softness.

And if you’re keen to make your money stretch even more, Marie Claire UK’s exclusive discount codes will get you further reductions on all the prices you see below. Simply click through the link under the products to find the best vouchers for each retailer.

So keep scrolling to shop the most timeless on-sale autumn basics.

17 Autumn Basics on Sale Right Now:

Yes, Sienna Miller has long been a style muse. Her boho looks are always a favourite, as was her sell-out collection with M&S—but last week's style combination proves even her easy everyday outfits are worth a moment of our attention. It seems Sienna has solved our dilemma of what to wear in this unusually warm autumn: white jeans, a classic navy knit and a statement red jacket.

While there's nothing necessarily wow-making about this particular outfit, it's one that's actually wearable while touching on a number of current trends: primary colour clashing, the bandana necktie and the bold pop of red. The shade being a key one to note this season, with Prada, Schiaparelli, Alaïa, McQueen making it a focal point of their Autumn/Winter 26 runways. And in true Sienna style, it's genuinely practical, not overly polished just for the cameras.

To see us through the cold mornings and warm afternoons, the actress has also opted for an underrated shoe: a simple black leather slip-on that really can work for any occasion, even the office. Just scroll below to see how we're creating this everyday outfit.

Shop Sienna Miller's Easy Autumn Outfit

Granted, the words timeless, investment piece and capsule wardrobe are often overused by fashion editors, but there are a handful of pieces for when these terms truly do ring true: a sharply tailored black blazer, the perfect pair of jeans and, you guessed it, a classic pair of black boots. So if there's a boot-shaped hole in your shoe collection right now, allow me to break down exactly why it might be the addition you're sorely missing in your everyday rotation.

Just like an LBD (little black dress) a great LBB (little or long black boot) should act as the solution to many a footwear dilemma. After a shoe that's both warm and work-appropriate? A black knee-high boot will pair with almost any bottom. Searching for a shoe that leaves no gap between your favourite midi, maxi and even knee-length dresses? An over-the-knee sock is the easy-to-style staple covering all skirt lengths. Wondering what shoe will always work with a great pair of jeans? The pared-back black cowboy, in ankle length for ultimate versatility.

The black boot was, essentially, built to be a genuine wear-anywhere-style, and there are five key designs to consider. The knee-high, in either leather or suede. The over-the-knee, for those more fond of dresses and skirts than trousers. The simplistic cowboy, for something slightly more casual and cool without veering into festival fashion territory. And the city take on the classic riding boot, perfect for both tucking trousers into and wearing skirts outside of. Plus, let's not forget the polished kitten heel ankle boot, perhaps the most versatile of the lot and one I personally reach for almost every day come Autumn.

Which style you choose comes down to personal preference and the pieces that make up the majority of your wardrobe already. But make the investment, care for them properly—the occasional clean and wipe-down with leather or suede protector will do—and re-sole once every few seasons, and you'll have a boot that stays with you for years to come.

Below is our definitive guide to the best styles to shop now, because when it comes to black boots, the sheer amount of choice is somewhat overwhelming.

Shop the Best Black Boots

1. Day-to-Night Knee-Highs

'Do it all' items are often the secret to a true timeless wardrobe. Their appeal lies in the true vastness of where, when and how we can wear them and few shoes fit the bill better come Autumn/Winter than a classic black knee-high.

For the office? Pair them with a classic pencil skirt, wide-leg trouser of any length or a knee-to-maxi length dress for an instant, easy pairing. For the evening? Anything goes. And come the weekend you might even favour the mid-noughties jean tuck, allowing the boots to take full focus. Invest wisely and never will you run our of ways to wear them.

2. Over-The-Knee Sock Boots 

You most likely know the feeling: you've found the perfect dress and have a great pair of boots to go with it, only to realise there's a one in gap between the two once you're halfway out the door. The solution? An over-the-knee sock boot that really can pair with anything, be it a full-length trouser, culotte or even an above-the-knee skirt that's always tricky to style sans tights come winter. Plus, they add an extra layer of warmth.

While a leather pair feels especially timeless, and pairs perfectly with velvet, denim, cotton and silk, fabric styles offer a slightly softer alternative, working beautifully with leather and suede skirts and jackets without going full-on cow.

3. Polished Western Ankle Boots

Cowboy boots have consistently stuck around as a year-round shoe staple, but Autumn/Winter sees festival-ready brown suedes swapped for more pared-back black and shrunken-down ankle lengths that are all the more practical.

Jeans and black trousers are where they make the most sense styling-wise, whether peeking out of longer-length wide-leg styles, with the pointed toe elongating the leg, or tucked in skinny and straight-leg cuts, placing more emphasis on the boot. Fringing, suede and leather will only accentuate the Western feel.

4. Flat Riding Boots

Thanks to Stella McCartney, stirrup leggings are back in the limelight and few shoes style better than a classic flat riding boot, truly leaning into the equestrian aesthetic. Plus, invest wisely and they'll become one of the most comfortable boots in any collection.

For those not too tempted to step back into a stirrup legging, jeans (especially straight leg styles) and knee-length skirts also make for a perfect pairing, particularly when embracing the countryside chic look: thick knits, trench coats and checked capes, included.

5. Black Kitten Heel Boots

Fashion Director Lily Russo-Bah says "black kitten heel boots never go out of style and work with every trouser type and even long dresses and skirts," and I have to agree. Not only does the lower heel make them comfortable enough for everyday wear, but it also adds that extra polish to any look that you can't always find from a flat.

For a more casual take, style your jeans or trousers inside of the ankle boot—a balloon trouser or straight-leg jean works especially well. Otherwise, take your trousers, skirts and dresses outside of the boot for a more formal finish.