I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but here in Cambridge the weather just cannot make up it’s mind. One day it’s cold and drizzly, and the next it feels like summer again. I’ve packed away all my most summery pieces (until next year, basket bags), but the mere thought of donning a winter coat makes me sweat. Although these in-between months are my favourite, I always find it tricky to know how to dress when the weather doesn’t dictate your wardrobe in the way more extreme temperatures do (very hot = floaty dress and sandals, very cold = big coat, tights, wooly layers).
Enter the zero-thought-required staples I always fall back on for these in-between months when I otherwise have no idea what to wear: start with an easy midi dress (I like white until winter really kicks in, but black or floral print also work beautifully), add a neutral trench coat or black leather jacket, and finish with ballet flats or ankle boots or white trainers with everything. It’s the easiest instant outfit formula that seems to work whether it’s chilly or unseasonably warm and it never lets me down.
Wearing: Dress // Coat // Sunglasses // Shoes
I bought a similar version of this dress a few years ago and have worn it so much that it’s literally coming apart at the seams (the sign of a well-loved buy) and is currently sitting at the top of my mending pile. When something has proven itself to be such a staple in your wardrobe, it is definitely ok to repeat-buy similar versions.
So when I saw this version in H&M I knew it would be a good buy even though I already have such a similar one. And true to form, I’ve already worn it at least a couple of times a week since – dressed up with heels and a black tuxedo jacket for work and evening, dressed down with tan ankle boots and a leather jacket for weekends, and it will work just as well with tan knee-high boots and a coat for winter. It’s excellent quality for the price, and is smart enough to take me to dinner but easy (+ cheap) enough that I don’t mind it getting a bit crumpled while running errands or cycling around town.
If you buy one thing this week, make it a white midi dress. You’ll thank me next time you’re having an ‘I don’t know what to wear’ morning 😉
Wearing: H&M dress (also comes in a blouse version) // Boden trench coat (past season but similar style here) // Chanel bag (similar style here) // Converse trainers // Celine sunglasses // Chanel brooch (vintage, but similar styles here) // Kenneth Jay Lane earrings (similar style here) // Astley Clarke necklaces c/- // Raleigh ‘Willow’ bike.
What do you repeat buy-and-wear for Autumn?
Love, Briony xx
Photos by Joe Galvin
I absolutely adore this outfit and have only heart eyes for that Chanel brooch (hoping to buy one someday!). Such a nice outfit idea. As the weather in London also cannot make up its mind, I think I need to add a version of this outfit to my wardrobe.
Lovely post as always,
x Brenda | Sundays and Somedays
Thank you so much, Brenda! Have been living in a variation of this outfit practically every day since summer and it seems to work every time!
Briony xx
Love everything about this outfit (can’t believe they’re just H&M) and with a pair of heels it turns into something totally different! I think if I open your closet there’s a lot of white beautiful ruffled dresses hanging. Maybe you’re seeing everyday as a wedding day and that’s why you always look so happy whenever you wear them.
Longing for your next post already.
xxx, Marcia.
Thank you so much! And haha you’re right; I do have a weakness for white dresses! But it’s nothing to do with weddings – I just love the way the look paired with black or neutrals in winter and blush or metallics in summer (and unlike colours which can be tricky on some skin tones, think white looks universally gorgeous on everyone).
Briony xx
Loving all your picks, that jacket is so cute!
xx, Merritt
The Style Scribe
Thank you so much!
Briony xx
How do you keep your shoes so white?! I have some old school Green Flash which I love but they’re definitely going a bit grey even after a round or two in the washing machine… when they were white I loved looks like these tho! 😛
Haha, they are definitely less white in real life than they look here (I don’t photoshop them, but for some reason they just show up brighter white on camera). But once a month I do give them a clean with a damp soapy sponge which seems to get off most of the scuffs and dirt. But I agree; I only really love them when they’re clean and white!
Briony xx