Five autumn trends to wear now

The new season comes with the challenge of keeping your wardrobe up to date. But with a swathe of fresh trends and fashions to try out, which do you choose? From puffa jackets to embellishment, here are the styles you need to embrace to ensure you stay on-trend this autumn

Dolce & Gabbana AW16, photo: SIPA/REX/Shutterstock (SIPA/REX/Shutterstock)

The arrival of the new fashion season can be something of a head-spinner as the multitude of trends that we first saw on the catwalks in February land in our city’s stores. As ever, some trends seem brand new, while others have been building for a while and may even be in your wardrobe already.

But whether totally fresh or tried and tested, the fact that all of them seem to emerge at once means that updating your wardrobe can be a confusing – and costly – affair. So it pays to do your homework and hit the books – well, glossy mags and your favourite Instagram accounts – to see what’s out there before parting with your hard-earned cash.

1. The puffa jacket

Marques’Almeida AW16, photo: Rex Features (Rex Features)

A key buy for autumn will no doubt be a new coat. While there are a few outerwear trends to note, perhaps the most significant is the quilted jacket, which made a triumphant – not to mention super-sized – return to the catwalk courtesy of Balenciaga, Stella McCartney and Marques’Almeida.

Forget any worries about looking slim or svelte – it’s the puffed-up proportions of the Michelin Man that should be on your mood board, with hooded styles earning extra fashion points.

2. Streetwear

Vetements AW16, photo: PIXELFORMULA/SIPA/REX/Shutterstock

That’s right, thanks to Vetements, streetwear is still high on the fashion agenda with haute hoodies popping up all over the place. But there’s more to this look than just oversized gym gear, with bike leathers providing a suitably tough edge at Chloé and Versace.

3. Mannish tailoring

Tibi AW16, photo: Rex Features (Rex Features)

The borrowed-from-the-boys aesthetic is a bit of a thing this season too, with new takes on tailoring fabrics. Victoria Beckham spliced together multiple checks, while Dries Van Noten sent out mannish suits and cricket jumpers.

4. Embellishment

Dolce & Gabbana AW16, photo: SIPA/REX/Shutterstock

Many of Van Noten’s pieces were also strewn with pearls, feathers or sequins, although the Belgian designer isn’t the only one who indulged in a little embellishment for the new season. As ever, Dolce & Gabbana abided by its maximalist aesthetic, festooning every look with elaborate details including flowers, frogging and fairy tale motifs.

If that’s a bit too much for your day-to-day, accessories remain a great way to update an ensemble and Gucci is the fashion pack’s current go-to label for show-stopping shoes. Prada knows how to accessorise too, and the autumn collection had belts combined with outfit-cinching corsets and dangling charms and mini bags.

5. Velvet

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi AW16, photo: Rex Features (Rex Features)

Rich velvet is enjoying a youthful makeover too, with designers including Preen by Thornton Bregazzi and Valentino working with lightweight versions of the fabric in a brighter, more experimental colour palette than the noirish take of seasons past.

Get the look for less

Want to stay on trend this season but not pay designer prices? Here’s how you can get the latest looks – and save up to 60 per cent.

The transitional period between summer and autumn is the time where we take stock of our wardrobes and start thinking about how we can update our signature looks for the season ahead. But, with a flurry of new styles to look forward to, just how do you stay on trend without breaking the bank?

McArthurGlen has six designer outlets across the UK where you can find all your favourite high-street and designer brands. With savings of up to 60 per cent, it couldn’t be easier to get hold of those new-season staples for less.