Six Summer Trends Worth Keeping in Your Wardrobe This Autumn
We're wearing a small fraction of what's actually in our wardrobes, while constantly hunting the shops for fresh inspiration. There's a better way, building on what you already own.
With warmer weather lingering, much of what you've reached for this summer may well carry you comfortably into autumn.
Fashion moves quickly, though, and autumn/winter trends are already appearing in the shops and in the media. You may not follow fashion closely, and that's exactly the point, these seasonal shifts simply offer fresh ideas for pieces you may already own, and a quiet confidence in knowing your choices feel current.
Here are six trends from summer 2026 I'd recommend keeping in your wardrobe as we move into autumn, and for summers to come, drawn from my own experience of what's genuinely worth investing in, whatever your style personality.
1. A tiered or layered maxi skirt
An A-line skirt with tiers or layers of fabric adds movement and interest without shouting for attention. It pairs beautifully with a neat t-shirt or a blouse in a complementary print or colour. Whatever your height or shape, there's a way to style a maxi skirt that works for you. Get in touch if you'd like guidance on choosing the right cut for yours. This shape appeared across the Autumn Winter runways, including at Chloé, and as temperatures drop it layers well under a cropped jacket, for daytime or evening.
2. Lace-trimmed tops, skirts or dresses
Lace detailing along the edges of tops, skirts and dresses brings a real feminine touch this season. Lightweight lace tops and dresses layer well over jeans, or pair a dress with a heavier coat on cooler days. A V-neck lace top flatters curves and draws the eye upward, useful if you're looking to balance a fuller lower half. This trend carries through into AW and layers beautifully as the weather cools.
3. Oversized jackets or blazers
An oversized jacket, deliberately larger through the shoulder, longer in length, won't suit every shape; it tends to work best on taller, longer-bodied frames. Get in touch if you'd like help finding the right proportions for you. For those with a bolder style personality, it's a striking addition to a wardrobe: mine is a man's jacket found in a charity shop. This tailored-but-relaxed look remains firmly current, and it's an easy way to stand apart.
4. Checks
From Prince of Wales check to houndstooth, this print sits comfortably within the smarter looks having a moment right now. Depending on your style personality, pair it with anything from a classic t-shirt to a more flamboyant blouse. For something with real character, try a vintage find on eBay first. Choose your check size in proportion to your frame. A body shape analysis through my Wardrobe Edit service can help you get this right.
5. Floral
Florals were everywhere on the AW catwalks, and if the warmer weather continues into autumn, this print will keep the mood light as the days draw in. Florals suit every style personality, it's simply a matter of choosing the right colours and scale for you.
6. The trench coat
The trench had a strong summer, and it remains a genuine wardrobe staple for the season ahead. Burberry's trench coat exhibition opens at the V&A this September, and River Island's new collection with Olivia Attwood includes a deer-print trench I rather love. With British weather as unpredictable as ever, a good trench earns its place, practical and stylish in equal measure.
Six trends, six easy ways to keep your existing wardrobe feeling current without a full overhaul. If you'd like help working out which of these suit your shape and style personality or simply want a second opinion before you buy get in touch, or book a Wardrobe Edit and we'll work through it together.
Never miss a useful style blog again. Sign up to my fortnightly ish newsletter here.
Photo by Leila de Haan on Unsplash