The six dress styles you need to know for autumn, picked by fashion insiders – plus the exact ones to buy
Here they come – those awkward transition weeks between summer and fall. It’s still too warm to wear a sweater, but it’s definitely time to put away the ‘summer wardrobe’.
Fashion lovers actually get excited about the change of seasons, because it’s the perfect opportunity to freshen up your style and set the tone for what you’ll be wearing from now on, come winter.
The solution is a transitional midi dress: light enough for sultry September days, effortlessly stylish and versatile enough to be endlessly mixed and restyled in the months ahead.
We’ve rounded up this season’s most coveted styles, from celebrity trendsetters, the catwalks and insider tips from top British brands. Simply pick your favourite and you’ll have a ready-made autumn uniform…
Pumped up shirt dress
A shirt dress is a wardrobe hero, as the silhouette is incredibly flattering on almost everyone. This season’s iterations are pumped up with bold colours and patterns – forget summery white and go bold.
J Lo looks effortlessly glamorous in her Dior shirt dress with strappy ballerina flats
Boden’s best-selling dress ever is the new ‘Alba’ shirt dress, with over 20,000 sold in six months, starting at £135
Follow J Lo’s lead, who looked effortlessly glamorous in her Dior shirt dress with strappy ballerina flats, or add heels for a chic look.
The best styling trick for a shirt dress is to make sure the hem doesn’t hit the knee, otherwise you risk looking sloppy. A little lower is ideal – and if it doesn’t come with a belt, add one to accentuate your waist.
Boden’s best-selling dress ever is the new ‘Alba’ shirt dress, of which more than 20,000 were sold in six months.
For fall, they’ve capitalized on the continued success, with two new colors and a soft cord. The retro print is fun and the dark colors keep it from feeling too summery.
Must-have ruffles
Chloe’s fall/winter collection firmly put boho on the agenda for the foreseeable future. Creative director Chemena Kamali’s runway was filled with whimsical blouses, frills, and of course, ruffles upon ruffles.
There’s one dress every fashionista wants to get their hands on: this gorgeous coffee-colored dress from Chloe, worn with over-the-knee boots
At £65, this High Street ruffled 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, understated peach imitation in a longer length that’s already set to become the high street dress of the season – just add a pair of leather, knee-high boots.
The smart wrinkle remover
If there’s one thing Me+Em founder Clare Hornby understands when it comes to dresses, it’s that comfort is key, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style.
Made from soft jersey, this dress has just the right weight to sit over the hips and thighs without emphasising them, £175, Me+Em
This dress is part of their ‘travel tailoring’ collection, which is designed to take you from office to departure lounge effortlessly, thanks to smart fabrics that are easy to care for and won’t crease, no matter what you do with them.
But you don’t have to hop on a plane to benefit from the soft jersey, which is also just the right thickness to glide over your hips and thighs without accentuating them.
Stylish khaki
When you put away your summer clothes, you may accidentally put away all the colours in your wardrobe.
Resist the temptation to fall back on navy, black and gray and try khaki green as a transition color instead.
The Fendi fall/winter runway was awash in the earthy khaki hue
Wear this crisp poplin dress with a jacket when the weather turns cold, £22, Tuesday at Sainsbury’s
If you’re not convinced yet, look no further than Fendi’s fall/winter runway, which saw a focus on earthy tones.
Tu at Sainsburys says they’ve sold twice as many dresses this year as last year, and this one in crisp poplin is their best-seller (£22). It’s lightweight, but perfect for wearing with a jacket when the weather turns chilly.
Feminine flair
A-line, fit and flare shapes are going to be huge: universally flattering, feminine without being over the top. Look for a high neckline and a fitted bodice that hugs your upper body and then gently swings out from the hips.
With its pleated sleeves and pleated hem, this is a classic with a twist, £250, aspiga.com
Valentino showed a classic black fitted dress on the catwalk, but fashion label Aspiga has the perfect alternative in navy or pale blue for £250.
A brand insider tells me they sell twice as many of this style in the fall as any other dress. Why? It’s classic with a twist—note the gathered sleeves and gathered hem—and it’s got tons of stretch, too.
Luxury leopard
Our love for leopard print comes courtesy of IT designer Ganni, and the trend doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon this season.
Isabel Marant Fall/Winter 2024 – Leopard print shows no signs of disappearing this season
Embrace your wild side with this Nobody’s Child dress, which has recently been restocked after selling out in a week the first time around, £75,
But you don’t have to pay for the Scandinavian label to embrace your wild side. This version from Nobody’s Child recently came back in stock after selling out in a week the first time around, so be quick.
The key to its success? It’s loose yet luxurious and oh-so-glamorous – taking you from the office to cocktail hour with ease.