Edward Berthelot
Photo: Getty Images
Foc Kan
Christian Vierig
Photo: Getty Images
Arnold Jerocki
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis
As fashion editors, we’re rather well acquainted with the trend cycle. We’ve witnessed hundreds of beautiful garments and many exquisitely crafted accessories rise in popularity, before ebbing out of style. There are, however, a few exceptional items that we’ve seen transcend this rhythm and reach true cult status. These special items have the rare ability to capture the fashion zeitgeist, riffing off a building trend and delivering a wardrobe-altering product.
These true cult classics offer a timeless look that always feels current. Khaite’s V-neck cashmere cardigan eclipses its peers, delivering a flattering, comfortable and wearable style that you’ll reach for for years to come, whilst The Row has struck gold with its leather ankle boots that balance grunge with wearability. From luxury leaders such as Acne Studios and Miu Miu to high-street heroes including ARKET and COS, we’ve identified the cult buys of next season to give you a head start on honing your autumn wardrobe.
Read on to discover the cult fashion buys of autumn 2023.
Style Notes: Miu Miu’s new leather loafers have been swiped up quickly by the fashion set. The classic, chunky style features a subtle gold coin insert with an embossed logo design. The humble loafer has peaked at cult status already this year, and we expect to see its popularity continue to grow through autumn and beyond.
Miu Miu
Logo-Coin Raw-Edge Leather Loafers
£850
I love this raw-edge version.
Miu Miu
Logo-Coin Raw-Edge Leather Loafers
£800
Metallic leather will continue to dominate in autumn.
Style Notes: Toteme’s embroidered scarf jacket is a fan favourite amongst the Who What Wear UK team. I’m secretly counting down the days until it’s officially autumn and I can safely cocoon myself in a jacket this cosy once more.
Toteme
Embroidered Scarf Jacket
£810
The white piping elevates the clever design.
Toteme
Embroidered Scarf Jacket in Light Grey Mélange
£810
As we head into the cooler months, light grey is a shade we’ll be reaching for more and more.
Style Notes: Every year I keep my eye out for the perfect pair of leather ankle boots, and every year I come back to this style. Chunky enough to ground a light, transitional outfit, this pair from from The Row serve as my go-to inspo from autumn and beyond.
The Row
Zip-Front Leather Ankle Boots
£1450
The perfect pair of black ankle boots.
The Row
Zipped 1 Leather Ankle Boots
£1290£903
They also come in cream—perfect to complement a tonal look in the same shade.
Style Notes: I’ve spotted worn, leather bomber jackets on all of my favourite influencers, and I can’t wait to scoop one up myself. Acne’s slightly cropped version falls to hip height, which means it’ll pair perfectly with high-waisted trousers.
Acne Studios
Distressed Leather Bomber Jacket
£1600
This is at the top of my wish list.
Style Notes: Loewe’s ergonomic bag has been on our radar in a big way since it debuted in 2014. Now available in a broad range of colours and sizes, we’re as charmed now as we were when we first laid eyes on it almost 10 years ago.
Loewe
Small Puzzle Bag in Classic Calfskin Angora/Dusty Beige/Gold
£2500
White leather can be hard to get right, but Loewe does it so well.
Loewe
Small Puzzle Bag in Classic Calfskin Tan
£2400
This will never go out of style.
Style Notes: Nothing signals the change in seasons like a Max Mara wool coat. Autumn 2023 will lean as heavily on Max Mara’s classic camel coat, just as in seasons past.
Max Mara
Manuela Icon Belted Camel Hair Coat
£2210
Perfect for layering over a thick jumper.
Max Mara
Ottico Belted Wool-Blend Gabardine Trench Coat
£1505
This is a gorgeous, relaxed option.
Style Notes: Arket’s Oversized Wool Blend Blazer is every fashion insider’s secret to elevating a casual look. Pairing as well with jeans and a white tee as it does an evening dress, this is the blazer we’re banking on (again) this autumn.
Arket
Oversized Wool Blend Twill Blazer
£149
Oversized done right.
Style Notes: The perfect pair of trousers does exist. Coming in a range of colours, COS’s wide-leg wool trousers are expertly pleated to drape loosely but elegantly on the leg.
COS
Wide-Leg Tailored Wool Trousers
£99
A black pair of trousers is a wardrobe staple.
COS
Wide-Leg Tailored Wool Trousers in Light Beige
£99
These make transitional styling easy.
Style Notes: Ever since Katie Holmes wore this cardigan in 2019, we haven’t been able to get it out of our minds. Khaite is a cut above on quality and design, and this is the absolute perfect cardigan to wrap up in on a cool autumn evening.
Khaite
Scarlet Cashmere Blend Cardigan in Mushroom
£1460
Layer over a summer dress during those final days of warmer weather.
Khaite
Scarlet Cashmere Cardigan in Brown
£1460
The slightly pinched-in waist is so elegant.
Style Notes: The Uniqlo crossbody bag’s big, more sophisticated sister, this is composed of supple leather. Like all crossbody bags, it works just as well with a summer dress and sandals as it does a heavy winter coat.
Cos
Swing Cross Body – Leather in Dark Brown
£99
This brown shade would pair so well with a beige trench…
Cos
Swing Cross Body – Leather in Light Green
£99
… But I love this pop of apple green.
Style Notes: First released in 2019, I’m as head over heels for this jumper now as I was then. The bold Breton stripes combined with the perfect roomy fit make this item a staple that I’ll be calling upon for the foreseeable.
Toteme
Signature Stripe Turtleneck in Light Sand
£420
If I could only have one jumper, it would be this one.
Toteme
Signature Stripe Turtleneck in Black
£420
The high neck is a cold-weather saviour.
Style Notes: Before Miu Miu’s coin-embossed loafers came on the scene, it was all about Prada’s “stealth wealth” version. Composed of gleaming patent leather, these sleek shoes feature the covetable Prada logo front and centre, perched upon the refined design.
Prada
Logo-Plaque Leather Loafers
£920
The slight heel will quietly add height to your look.
Prada
Triangle Logo-Plaque Patent-Leather Loafers
£920
Patent leather was made for autumn.
Next Up: Ganni’s Knit Vests Are the Cult Autumn Item Every Fashion Person Wants to Buy
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