Trend watch: autumn wardrobe refresh

Now that the seasons have finally shifted, it’s the perfect time for a wardrobe clear out and a good reorder. Move summer pieces to the back and focus on what you’ll be wearing over the next few months. Then ask yourself these questions: Is the item something you still wear? Is it a timeless classic? Does it still fit you? A one-in-one-out policy is encouraged for any new additions, sort your outs into things you can resell and list on sites such as Vinted and eBay and donate the rest to a charity shop. The British Heart Foundation (bhf.org.uk/shop) and Oxfam (onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk) offer a free postage label service for donations.

Prioritise key items for the season ahead. Our magnificent seven consists of the following pieces (you may well already own several): a heritage blazer (anything tweedy or checked); cargo pants; leather or leather-look skirt (try dark chocolate as an alternative to black); red Mary Jane shoes; oversized shirt; hoodie, and a plain baseball cap. Mix these pieces with each other or with other classic items that you wear all the time. A white T-shirt or a vintage band T-shirt will look great under the blazer, ditto a rollneck knit, which in turn will work with the skirt and cargo pants or layered under the shirt. Tuck a favourite old sweater into cargo pants and try styling with heels ad a cross body bag. Jeans will swap in nicely with the shirt and blazer, and red Mary Janes will revive even the most tired denim. Dig out that lockdown hoodie – thanks to Miuccia Prada’s AW23 Miu Miu collection, it’s a key piece, layer it with a smart coat or choose a zip-up style and wear it as a jacket over a crewneck knit. Arket’s scuba one in grey is a great catwalk dupe, (£87). Finally, make a plain cap the finishing touch, it’s this year’s beanie, choose a wool style for a more elevated look. Voila! Your new season look is good to go.