Hero pieces from the high street to refresh your autumn wardrobe
Great style doesn’t need to come at eye-watering price points. High street designers know they need to stay ahead of the curve if they are going to please discerning customers. Read on for our pick of the best pieces that can give your wardrobe a fillip – from hard-working wardrobe foundations, to some wow pieces that promise to surprise and delight.
Zara
By Sarah Bailey
If our local branch of Zara is anything to go by, the Spanish chain is playing a blinder in its 50th anniversary year – with well-priced faux leather bombers that imbue instant cool, footwear that is sharp as well as wearable and the perfect little knits that are as easy to wear as a t-shirt. The bow-embellished kitten heels are a ladylike option to step into the new season and work equally well with skirts or jeans (just add a sparkly sock).
& Other Stories
By Jessica Burrell
The new season has ushered in a new era at & Other Stories, now under the creative direction of Jonathan Saunders, the Scottish designer known for his stint at Diane von Furstenberg and knack for colour and print. For his first collection, he has stuck to classic & Other Stories silhouettes (thin-knit turtlenecks and office-ready trousers) but refreshed the fabrications. There’s a lot of texture from brushed knits and corduroy, which strikes a Sixties-meet-Seventies note that somehow feels very 2025.
Mango
By Jessica Burrell
The term “elevated basics” gets bandied about too much but Mango’s sleek new “Selection” – a more premium line from the high street brand – delivers. It’s a sea of camel, chocolate brown and off-white with clean silhouettes that make it feel worth the heightened price tag. Highlights include a lace-trimmed camisole dress that feels like it will endure beyond the lingerie-inspired trend and won’t look dated when you return to it next year, or style it for spring.
Jigsaw
By Tamara Abraham
It’s always worth buying your winter coat now, early in the season, before the good colourways and shapes sell out, and Jigsaw’s City coat is a modern classic. This season’s greige colourway looks really expensive and pairs well with most other colours, including black. I’m also adding this pleated wool miniskirt to my basket, which will look great with sheer black tights and boots. For evening, this off-the-shoulder dress is such an elegant way of showing a little skin without going OTT.
H&M
By Jessica Burrell
Another high street brand with a tempting autumn/winter 2025 premium line is H&M. The latest instalment of its Studio Essentials collection is a good place to head for staples like oversized poplin shirts and well-cut denim with design features – textured seams and dipped hemlines – that make it all feel quite Cos (at a welcome lower price point). Special mention for a pair of leather ballet pumps with an almond-shaped toe and fuzzy finish.
Massimo Dutti
By Sophie Tobin
The best jackets this autumn are to be found at Massimo Dutti. Boxy cuts, sleek leathers and flecked fabrics that will enliven the simplest of outfits, which you also might consider adding a leopard loafer to. In the tailoring section, a scarf detail blazer stands out and slouchy, roomy bags are in abundance to complete a back to work wardrobe.
Cos
By Sophie Tobin
Cos has doubled down on its higher price range this season, offering luxury-looking leather coats and chunky cashmere for a fraction of designer prices. Also in the offering are the pieces Cos does so well, like their slouchy tailoring and basics with added details (see the rounded sleeve shirts and draped collars). Texture is at play for autumn, follow their styling suggestions by pairing an ultra fluffy knit with serious pleated trousers and a croc effect shoe.
Whistles
By Sophie Tobin
Whistles’ new collection is a breath of fresh air for the brand, which is focussing on heritage classics and materials for autumn. The colour palette is rich, sticking to deep burgundies and greens, complimented by a rich cream on their hero jacket, a city take on the barn style. The denim offering is well structured and has a grown up feel in dark washes, with a gold knot button shirt standing out.
Boden
By Sarah Bailey
The ebullience and joy of the Boden brand is a given, but the collections can skew a little twee. Not so this season, which is the best I can remember. Standout pieces include the “Carlisle” PVC peacoat (which gives 1960s Jean Shrimpton vibes) and the utterly charming embellished “Elizabeth”, which looks more like a Parisian designer knit than something from dear old Boden. And speaking as something of a connoisseur of “party pyjamas”, I’m very impressed by the pink faux feather co-ord (which will also work well into the season ahead).
M&S
By Tamara Abraham
M&S fashion just gets better and better. The autumn/winter collection is very Claudia Winkleman on Traitors, and full of gems set to sell out fast. First order of business? Coats: there are so many good ones, including this Toteme-alike cropped faux fur buckle coat. The second thing on the wishlist is this fuzzy Argyle jumper, which I’d wear oversized with a kilt and some flat knee-high riding-style boots – this pair is the perfect shape at a very good price.
Uniqlo
By Sarah Bailey
Autumn/Winter is always Uniqlo’s best season. Afterall, this is the home of miraculously featherlight puffas and all things “heattech”. And thanks to British designer Claire Waight Keller’s creative oversight, the everyday clothing is becoming more elevated and ever-so-gently more fashion forward. Uniqlo: C (the collection named after her) boasts a fantastic sleek tweed coat this season that looks particularly cool belted. A souffle knit cardigan in on-trend lilac is a fun way to experiment with a potentially polarising colour (without spending a fortune), while the bias-cut satin skirts are surprisingly robust.
Reiss
By Tamara Abraham
Peyton oversized leather jacket, £498, Reiss
Reiss has gone big on leather this season, positioning itself as the high street’s go-to destination for leather outerwear with a grown-up feel. This aubergine number has the right degree of oversized slouch. You can have a lot of fun with tonal dressing in this palette, teaming it with chocolate browns, deep red, or contrasting with pink. And if you haven’t discovered its smart wide-leg trousers with elasticated waists, you’re in for a treat. Tailoring is always a Reiss strong suit (pun very much intended) – in particular, there is a wrap-front blazer that’s reminiscent of those I saw on the Khaite catwalk at New York Fashion Week.
Sezane
By Tamara Abraham
Sezane can always be relied upon to deliver a little French je ne sais quoi, and the latest offering is no different. Its new collection includes a collaboration with the craft focused label Baziszt – my favourite piece is this embroidered “outfit blouse”, so-called because it’ll do all the heavy lifting when it comes to making a style statement. Lovers of mini hemlines will adore the double-faced Sanja minidress, which has a blanket stitched hem and layers beautifully over a shirt, while the gold Thibault necklace has just the right “chunk” factor. Very Parisienne, and all without a beret in sight.
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