THE AUTUMN WARDROBE SWITCH | Wardrobe Dilemmas Ep 1
There’s a particular kind of dread that comes with the seasonal wardrobe switch — the one where you’ve been eyeing that pile of Summer clothes for weeks, quietly putting it off. I understand completely. But after twenty-odd years of doing this (and making just about every mistake along the way), I’ve gathered a handful of tips that make the whole thing far less of a mission. Consider this your step-by-step guide to switching your wardrobe over to Autumn without the overwhelm — and, just as importantly, without packing away half the pieces you could still be wearing.
Start With the Low-Hanging Fruit
The easiest way to build momentum is to begin with the pieces that are unmistakably Summer — the ones there’s simply no talking your way into come Autumn. For me, that’s an entire drawer of swimwear I won’t reach for again for months, which, once cleared, frees up valuable space for the tights and cosy socks that Autumn and Winter demand. The same goes for any sleeveless dresses that won’t layer, and, of course, shorts. Once there’s a genuine chill in the air you know you won’t touch them until Spring, so give yourself a break, clear the clutter, and pack them away until the sun’s back.
I’M WEARING
Edit as You Pack — and Be (Kindly) Ruthless
Here’s the golden rule: if you haven’t worn it all Summer, do you really want to save it for next year? A little green towelling romper of mine illustrates the point perfectly. I adore it — it’s cute, and I love a towelling piece in Summer — but the truth is I didn’t wear it once. It doesn’t fit quite right, it’s a touch too short in the body, and, if I’m honest, it’s probably a little young for me now. So, as hard as it is, that one’s being donated.
Being ruthless doesn’t come naturally to everyone — my husband David is the hoarder in our house, not me, a fact thoroughly confirmed by a recent garage clear-out. But it’s a muscle you build, and mine has strengthened enormously over the years. I ask myself two things: do I really want to clutter my wardrobe with something I barely wear? And do I want to make choosing an outfit harder on a busy morning? The answer, every time, is no — so anything left unworn gets donated or sold on.
Back On My Rail
Keep Your Transitional Staples Close
Before you get carried away packing, hold back a proper edit of your layering staples — the pieces that bridge the seasons and that you’ll reach for again and again. For me that’s tank tops in every colour, and simple tees in both cotton and linen: the cotton ones slip under a jumper on a sudden cold day, the linen ones under a cardigan when it’s milder. Even a boxy knitted-linen top earns its place, because the open weave is wonderfully breathable for that in-between weather — and if it’s a little sheer, a camisole underneath sorts it. I’m also keeping my denim shorts and sandals out a while longer; the weather here is temperamental, and last year it flipped to full-on Winter almost overnight, so I like knowing I can mix them with knitwear until it truly turns.
Mend It Now, Thank Yourself in Spring
One small step people always forget: before anything goes into storage, check whether it needs mending. Psychologically it’s so much better to do it now — then when you unpack everything in Spring, it all feels fresh and ready to wear, rather than a forgotten to-do list waiting to greet you.
How I Actually Store It
Nothing fancy here. I fill big suitcases with my proper Summer pieces, tuck in a couple of moth protectors, and that usually does the job. When I run out of suitcases, cardboard boxes take over. We don’t have an attic, and our garage gets humid even through Winter, so I keep the boxes tucked out of the way in the hallway instead. It’s not picture-perfect, but it’s about working with the space you have — which, let’s be honest, is what most of us are doing.
Mind the Gaps — and Shop Them With a List
Here’s the unexpectedly useful part: as you sort, you start to see exactly where the gaps are. You might pack away your Summer dresses and realise you never did find the perfect sleeveless navy one — and if you’ve loved wearing that shape this year, now’s the moment to treat yourself, often at 50 to 75 per cent off in the end-of-season sales. Jot down what’s missing from both your outgoing Summer and your incoming Autumn wardrobe (I have to write it down; my memory is hopeless). That little list is the single best defence against impulse buys — it keeps you shopping with intention rather than being lured in by every shiny thing along the way.
Bring Autumn Back, but Keep Editing
Now the lovely part: reintroducing the Autumn pieces you’ve not seen in nine months. It genuinely feels like getting a brand-new wardrobe. But before anything reclaims its spot on the rail, edit as you go — and not only for space. Clutter on your rail becomes clutter in your head; too many options and you can’t see the wood for the trees, which makes getting dressed harder, not easier. So try things on. Does it still fit? Do you still love it? Does it work with the new pieces you’ve bought? Any hesitation at all, and that’s your answer.
Don’t Pack Away Your Summer Dresses
If you take one thing from this, let it be this: resist packing away every Summer dress, because so many of them layer beautifully for transitional dressing. An old linen dress of mine comes completely to life with an alpaca cardigan thrown over the top and a belt to pull it in — the colours together are gorgeous. A bright blue Summer dress I wore endlessly looks like a different outfit entirely layered under an open-work cotton knit, with knee-high boots added if it’s cooler. Honestly, it’s only the true height-of-Summer dresses that need to go; with a shirt, a jumper or a cardigan, the rest will carry you right through Autumn.
Swap the Accessories, and Switch Shoes Before Coats
If space is tight, accessories are an easy win: pack away the raffia bags and sandals and bring in your leather handbags, ballet flats and loafers. (I confess I keep a little raffia in rotation all year — even with a chunky knit I like a hint of Summer somewhere, however cold it is outside.) And when it comes to footwear, switch your shoes before your coat: sandals out, loafers and ballet flats in. Apply the same restraint you would everywhere else, too — there’s no need to crowd the rail with Winter boots just because it’s September. You’ll have more than enough time for those come November.
Cardigans First, Chunky Knits Later
On the subject of knitwear, lead with cardigans for transitional dressing and leave the big chunky lambswool and alpaca jumpers for a little further down the line — unless they’re genuinely lightweight or breathable, like that open-work knit. You won’t need the heavy ones for a while yet, and holding them back means a proper little wardrobe refresh when you finally get them out.
Get Your Trench Back Out
If one piece signals that Autumn has truly arrived, it’s the trench. I love that they’re light — cotton, so they add a layer without the bulk or the overheating — and that they never really date, which makes them one of the best investments you can make. If you don’t have one, there are beautiful versions on the high street and from the independents right now; I rounded up my favourites, including the most gorgeous trench, in my edit of Sézane’s new Autumn collection.
Then the Blazers — but Only the Lighter Ones
Blazers are next, but don’t bring them all out at once — think about weight. I have three favourites: a camel, a lightweight navy, and a heavier navy with gold buttons. I wear all three constantly, yet only the two lighter ones earn a place on the rail right now. The heavy one is simply too warm for this in-between weather; it can wait for Winter, when it’ll look wonderful over a chunky knit or a roll neck. Thinking about this “weight ladder” across everything you reintroduce is exactly what stops you feeling hot and sticky through the transitional weeks.
Finally: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Whatever you do, don’t attempt the whole switch in one afternoon. If your wardrobe is anything like mine it’s far too overwhelming, and rushing is precisely when mistakes happen. Spread it over a couple of days, or even a week: take out the high-Summer pieces first, then come back with fresh eyes to bring the Autumn ones in. These are the clothes you’ll be living in for the next few months, so they’re worth a little proper consideration.
That’s my full wardrobe-switch method — and, as this is the first of my Wardrobe Dilemmas, I’d love the next one to come from you. Struggling to find really good basics? Never quite sure how to style your skirts? One reader told me her blazers always look a touch too prim — so tell me your dilemma, and I’ll tackle it in an upcoming edit. Everything I’ve featured is linked throughout.
10 Pieces From Sézane’s New Autumn Collection I’d Add to Basket First
Words by Jessica
There are few collections I wait for quite like Sézane’s, and this new drop might just be my favourite I’ve seen in seasons. It feels like a quiet step up — more considered, more elegant, with a grown-up confidence that suits this time of year perfectly. The palette alone is worth the wait: sumptuous chocolate browns, soft ecrus and deep olive greens, with the occasional earthy flash of burnt orange to keep it from feeling too safe.
The shapes have shifted too — there’s a little more volume, gently reworked proportions, and the kind of small details that make an everyday piece feel quietly luxurious and stand out for the right reasons. And yet it still feels attainable, which is what I love most about Sézane. Yes I save my pennies, but then happily splurge the lot when their new collection launches! So here are my top 10 I’d pick from the new Autumn collection that launched today…
1.
Leather jackets will be the investment piece to add this Autumn, and naturally I’ve totally fallen for Sézane’s interpretation. I love the oversized shape, the funnel neck, the colours (I can’t decide between the chocolate and the olive) and that elasticated nip in at the waist, perfection.
2.
Sézane’s knitwear walls are legendary now and I doubt this one will be there for long! Adding it to basket now before I miss out.
3.
I’ve been waiting (impatiently) for three years for these jeans to come back in stock! They are honestly THE best fitting straight-leg jeans I’ve ever tried. Period. Run, don’t walk!
4.
They had me with that rust shade! Love a slouchy V-neck too, subtly sexy without ever revealing too much.
5.
Funnel necks will be having a ‘moment’ this Autumn and I’m definitely here for it. Aside from the practicality of keeping you warmer, they’re also handy for a nonchalant looking hair-tuck look as well;)
6.
If you’re not quite ready for cosy knits, Sézane just launched this very pretty frilled blouse that bridges the seasons beautifully. The soft ecru and delicate ruffle feel romantic without tipping into fussy, and the slightly fuller sleeve is quietly of-the-moment.
7.
A leather midi instantly elevates everything, and the wrap detail here adds just enough interest without shouting about it. I’d wear mine with a fine tee and sandals now, then layer a funnel-neck knit and boots over the top once it cools into autumn.
8.
Every autumn needs a good trench, and this one leans more oversized than classic — the attached scarf detail makes the whole look feel more of a statement. That soft taupe grey is such a clever neutral too — it sits beautifully with the browns and olives running through the rest of the collection.
9.
A proper grown-up tote for Autumn with the kind of quietly luxurious details that makes a simple jeans-and-knit look feel considered.
10.
And finally, the piece I know I’ll reach for on repeat: The perfect transitional piece as we move into Autumn with this knitted vest.
If something here catches your eye, it’s worth a look sooner rather than later — Sézane’s best pieces have a habit of disappearing quickly. I’ll be keeping this post updated with direct links as the collection evolves, so bookmark it, and happy shopping.
You might also like: Leather Jackets Are Autumn’s Biggest Trend — Here Are the 10 I’d Actually Buy and The Lace-Trimmed Long Satin Skirt Is Here to Stay: 3 Ways to Style It for Transitional Autumn Weather.
As always, some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them — at no extra cost to you.
