Autumn Outfit Ideas for Every Day, Weekends and Evenings Out

Autumn outfits can start with the pieces you already own, teamed in different ways and moved into the new season rather than packed away. Two steps come first, before any layering: colour, then texture. This guide gathers autumn outfit ideas from our founder, Hayley Thomas, for the first cooler weeks, for weekends and evenings out, and for the colder days that follow.

Our guide to building an autumn capsule wardrobe covers the eleven foundations to start from, and the 70/30 rule for everything else.

Early autumn outfits that bridge the seasons

In the first weeks of autumn the light changes before the temperature does, and some of the bright whites that worked so well in summer start to look a little flat. The answer is often colour that suits the golden light of late summer, and green makes a good bridge between lighter summer shades and the richer, earthier tones that follow through October and November. Ecru and stone bridge the seasons in the same way, since they are neither too dark nor too light.

The Billie Barrel Leg Trousers in ecru can work right through the year, as a winter white too, and a change of colour on top is enough to move them on. If they have spent the summer with a vest, a green knit is a good next step. Burnt orange does the same job, worn with the ecru while it is still warm and with the Billie in chocolate as autumn sets in, a pairing that feels quite autumnal. Our guide to styling barrel leg trousers has more ways to wear the shape.

Some summer pieces simply last longer. The Billie Barrel Leg Striped Trousers can be worn through to at least October, because although the fabric is a little lighter than the regular Billie, it is not a light summer weight. The Ora knitted tank in navy looks good on top, an autumn piece styled with a summer one.

Darker denim is another quick switch, and since any denim can be worn all year round, this is about adding a darker pair rather than putting the light ones away. If an outfit still feels like summer, with a white vest or a white T Shirt, swapping in a darker jean tips it into the new season. The Frankie Wide Leg Jeans in rinse wash suit a white vest on warmer days, and orange knitwear as autumn goes on.

How texture moves an outfit into autumn

A change of texture signals a new season even when you have not added a layer or covered any more skin. Moving from flat summer cottons to something with a little sheen is one way to do it. The Skylar Satin Shoulder Pad T Shirt keeps the shape of the jersey Skylar, but the satin feels more like autumn. The Maeve Balloon Trousers do the same below the waist, in a soft, drapey satin.

The Sylvie Draped Blouse works with the Maeve in the same way. Next to a floaty summer voile shirt it covers no more skin, probably less, yet the change of fabric makes it feel a little autumnal.

Knit adds texture in the same way. A knitted tank like the Rebecca Ribbed Tank Top, worn on its own, covers no more skin than a T Shirt, but the knit changes the feel of the outfit. Our guide to how to style a knitted vest follows our two tanks through autumn and winter.

A little more structure is the other shift. Moving from floaty voiles back to a shirt with more shape, such as the Olivia Oversized Poplin Shirt, gives an outfit a back to business feel without adding much weight. The Josephine Blazer in taupe does the same as a jacket, with enough structure that it never feels like a summer linen blazer, and it looks good with dark wash denim.

Autumn outfits for the weekend

Many of the weekend outfits here start with pieces that also work for the office. The Perfect Shirt in white with the Frankie in rinse wash is a brilliant everyday outfit for the weekend, and the darker denim gives it a smarter feel. The Eadie Pleat Front Trousers in taupe move from office wear to an everyday look with The Perfect Crew Neck Sweatshirt in vanilla and a pair of vanilla trainers, or simply a T Shirt.

Wide leg tailoring relaxes easily as well, and at the weekend the Dora Wide Leg Trousers in navy pinstripe work well with the Perfect Boyfriend T Shirt tucked in and a white platform trainer. That change of top and shoe is enough to give them a casual feel.

The Josephine works for every day too, with something a little cooler such as the Billie Barrel Leg Jeans, and a white vest is a good way to lift the outfit. Our Maya Rib Jersey Vest comes in off white. The Ora Cashmere Blend Drop Shoulder Tank also goes to the weekend with the Maeve in navy.

Autumn outfits for evenings out

Tailoring makes an easy evening outfit, and there is no reason to shy away from it for going out. For dinner, the Eadie trousers go well with the Sylvie. With black heels and a simple cami such as the Cleo Satin Lace Cami, the cropped length of the Eadie shows the ankle, and something a little more sexy against something tailored makes a lovely contrast.

The Josephine goes out with the Maeve, finished with sandals or heels in a colour that works with the blazer, and the Maeve itself moves easily from day to night. In the evening it suits a heel, such as a silver one, and by day it works with trainers or a ballet flat. If you choose a flat, one with a point gives a longer line against the volume of the trouser.

Autumn outfits for colder days

As the weather cools, the same pieces start to layer. The Ava Waistcoat and the Aida Wide Leg Trousers in navy make a summer work outfit that stretches into autumn. Later in the season the waistcoat can go over a shirt such as The Perfect Shirt, or over a fine rib knit such as the Iggy Sheer Rib Jumper. If you want more coverage on the arm, the Alba Short Sleeve Blazer can take the waistcoat’s place.

Chunky knits come in as winter approaches, and the Kate Cargo Trouser in ecru looks lovely with a big chunky ivory jumper and chocolate or burgundy loafers. The Billie in ecru takes a big chunky jumper too. Our guide to how to layer clothes covers building warmth as the season turns.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear in autumn?

Autumn outfits start with the pieces you already own, moved on with colour and texture before any layers. A richer colour such as green or burnt orange, a darker pair of jeans, or a top with a little sheen or a knit texture makes summer pieces feel like the new season, while the chunky knits wait for the colder weeks.

How do you make summer clothes work for autumn?

Changing one piece is often enough to make a summer outfit work for autumn. A darker jean, a knitted tank in place of a T Shirt or a richer colour on top moves it on, and later in the season the same pieces can layer over a shirt or a fine knit.

What colours work for early autumn outfits?

Green is a good bridge into autumn, because it is not as heavy as a deep chocolate brown. Burnt orange does a similar job, and ecru and stone work too, as they are neither too dark nor too light for the change of season.

What can I wear for an autumn evening out?

Tailoring with something softer makes an easy evening outfit, such as cropped tailored trousers with a satin cami and heels, or a blazer with satin balloon trousers. Satin balloon trousers also work with a silver heel at night and with trainers by day.

How do you make tailoring look casual at the weekend?

A T Shirt tucked into wide leg tailored trousers with a white platform trainer gives them a casual feel. Cropped pleat front trousers work the same way with a crew neck sweatshirt and trainers.