Fashion Brief
So the heatwave has subsided and the breeze of autumn has blown in. But what to wear in the transition season, with temperatures around 20C, rather than the 30 we’ve seen in recent weeks? Here are five ways to navigate fashion’s latest dilemma, AKA warmcore:
1. Sleeves are back
If you have been living in vests recently, it’s a new – but not unpleasant sensation – to wear sleeves, even long ones. Don’t go the whole hog, though. We’re not at poloneck stage quite yet. Instead, look to crisp cotton shirts and light silk blouses. The Skye cotton shirt from Whistles is a good example, and one that will layer up well in winter too.
2. This is the time to try culottes
With all that fabric, culottes aren’t friendly to summer and they look very odd with tights, so aren’t right for winter either. Therefore, this small window of opportunity – late summer, early autumn, whatever you want to call it – is prime culotte time. Topshop is a good port of call here – their bambi feather print designs are fun without venturing to clown trouser territory.
3. Find an evening coverup
Wool is still a no-no, but it does get colder in the evenings now. The key here is something a bit slinky but with sleeves. That means the BBQ in the daytime can continue when the sun goes down without nipping home for a jumper. The silk blazer at Cos is excellent. Smart, versatile and wearable over a dress or pair of jeans, that’s all you can ask for, really.
4. Ditch the pedicure
Your toes have no doubt been seeing a lot of daylight recently – and there is a lot of upkeep necessary for letting them out in public. No more. Warmcore means socks and high-heeled sandals – a favourite of the FROW – is your new look for feet. Make Topshop’s wall of socks your hunting ground and add Swedish Hasbeens. A word of warning – check the forecast for showers before leaving the house. Noone wants soggy socks.
5. Short-sleeved jumpers – your time is now
This is the time of year when fashion’s more nonsensical items – short-sleeved jumpers, sleeveless tops made from thick satin – have a moment. A short-sleeved ribbed jumper in chunky cotton, like the Bella sweater from Hobbs’ NW3 brand, will keep you warm but cool (if you get what we mean). With a lot of love on catwalks including JW Anderson’s, you’ll be ontrend too. Add a shirt underneath (see above) to take from warmcore to winter.
