The Little Brown Bag (and all your other key autumn accessories)

Fashion is back, but what’s a new coat or a hot new pair of slacks if you don’t have the accessories to really make them sing? Thankfully, there are plenty of spin-off trends which will add spice to your autumn/winter wardrobe. Whether you’re headed back into the office or simply plotting ways to stand out from the crowd on Zoom, there are accessories for every occasion this season. How will you wear yours?  

If a black handbag is a classic, its chocolatey-hued equivalent is the remix you can’t help but prefer. Indeed, there’s plenty to love about the underrated bag colour that’s quietly emerging as this season’s most wanted. Undoubtedly inspired by our current obsession with vintage-inspired finds, the best brown shoulder bags have a retro feel. If you’re a fan of texture, strokeable suede is a good idea, while luxury lovers may wish to explore tote bags in buttery caramel leather. Wear this style with anything and everything this autumn.

If proof was needed that we are sick to the back teeth of tracksuits, the revising of belts from forgotten accessory to seasonal must-have is undoubtedly it. Belting up is indisputably the new elasticated waist as we swap out oversized shapes for tucked in T-shirts and nipped-in silhouettes. The most coveted belt shapes are a feature in their own right, so seek out those with hardware or a playful flourish. You may find that neutral colourways prove most functional. We’d also recommend investing in quality if you want your belt to stand the test of time.

A comfortable pair of all-terrain boots is essential for the woman with (actual) places to go this winter. They have to be versatile. After all, modern life is nothing if not a minefield of obligations, destinations and unexpected bumps in the road. The joy of this season’s chunky sole styles is that you can wear them with just about anything. They look gorgeous with straight leg jeans and even better with a dress. Most definitely, they’ll take you from soggy school runs to meetings to debriefs in the pub. Seek out pull-on styles (for ease!), and don’t be afraid to experiment with colour.

Autumn walks are back on the agenda, which means digging out your puffer coat and sourcing the perfect sunglasses to lift your look. Angular shapes are where eyewear is at this season, with rectangular shades very much the key for crisp but sunny strolls, along with the obligatory flat white, of course.

If you buy one thing this season, make it a great pair of earrings. If you buy two, invest in an excellent roll-neck sweater to wear with them: few fashion combinations will work harder in your wardrobe. The joy of a pair of statement sparklers that you’re happy to wear every day lies in the implied effort they’ll impart to any outfit – you could wear a bin bag and yesterday’s mascara and still look like you’ve gone to some trouble to look fantastic. A great pair of pearls is a wise purchase –seek out molten or baroque-inspired styles to avoid looking twee.