Every autumn, shop windows fill with new trends, and every autumn many of us buy things we wear twice. We asked three stylists in Riverton a simple question: if you have a limited budget this fall, where should the money go?
Their answers were remarkably similar. Spend on a handful of pieces you will wear almost every day for years, they said, and save on everything else.
1. A camel coat
All three stylists put a well-cut coat in a neutral color at the top of the list. Camel works with gray, navy, black and denim, and a classic shape does not date quickly.
A good coat is the first thing people see from October to March. It is the one piece that makes a cheap outfit look expensive.
Aurelie Mansard, personal stylist
Look for a high wool content, smooth lining and shoulders that fit without pulling.
2. A real wool knit
A thick sweater in merino or lambswool keeps you warmer than synthetic blends and, with care, lasts for many seasons. Stylists recommend a crew or roll neck in cream, oatmeal or charcoal.
3. Leather boots
Ankle or Chelsea boots in sturdy leather with a resolable sole were the most frequently named investment. They cope with wet streets and can be repaired rather than replaced.
Ask the shop whether the sole can be changed. If the answer is no, keep walking.
Petar Holloway, stylist and former shoe buyer
4. A wool scarf
A large scarf in a soft, natural fiber adds warmth and color and can refresh the same coat all winter. It is also one of the easiest places to try a seasonal shade such as rust or forest green.
5. Well-fitting dark trousers
Tailored trousers in dark wool or heavy cotton, worn with the knit and boots, cover most workdays. A few euros spent at a tailor to fix the length makes a big difference.
Where to save
Stylists agree that T-shirts, trend accessories and party pieces are best bought cheaply or borrowed. And before buying anything, they suggest emptying the wardrobe and checking what is already there.
The most sustainable coat is the one you already own and finally take to the dry cleaner.
Lina Okafor, stylist and fashion lecturer in Elmbridge
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