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It's time folks. There's a definite nip in the air and whilst we can all still hold out for an Indian Summer - it's 2020 so it could probably snow next week. 

I'm not just talking big knits here (not yet although they are definitely on the agenda for the coming months), we're talking about those clever pieces that you can throw on now for layering over dresses and tees that will also take you into the colder months. 

It was my favourite top of last Winter and I've had a quick look and there are a lot of great options for this season too - with some variations on the theme. 

It's a hoodie. The hoodie has had a reemergence in the past couple of years and it's no longer the case that you look like you're heading for an ASBO if you wear one. No, they're now every day glamour.  From soft jersey to luxurious cashmere, there's a hoodie for everyone. Cropped (ideal with wide leg high waisted trousers) and oversized (the perfect option for teaming with your coated skinnies) and everything in between.

First up - let's look at the knit options.

A slightly longer length from H&M which would be perfect over skinnies. Chunky boots or trainers and a longline coat and you're set for September.

Wool blend hooded jumper from H&M in the griege £49.99

Pink Knit Hoodie from New Look £19.99

Investment time with cashmere options. They're not the cheapest but they are super versatile. I bought a couple last year and they were worn weekly during the cooler months.  Also ideal to take you into Spring as well.

Cashmere hoodie from The White Company in charcoal £169 - again long enough to wear over skinnies. Size up for extra slouchiness.

And cropped at Me+Em.  I have one of these in black which I bought about 5yrs ago. The joy of these is that they have a drawstring waistband so they're ideal for wearing over dresses and over wider bottoms - the tighter waist creates the perfect silhouette for balance.

Icon Cashmere Box Hoody from Me+Em £199

Mint Velvet Knitted Hoodie at John Lewis £79

Motif front hoodie from H&M £24.99

Long hoodie from H&M £19.99

Oversized hoodie from H&M £24.99

And now for the shorter ones that are perfect for wearing with wide leg trousers, with full skirts or for layering over light dresses to make them Winter worthy.

Tie Front Stitch Detail Hoodie at The White Company £69

Organic Cotton Boxy Zip up hoodie from The White Company £89

Hooded Raglan Sleeve Top from & Other Stories £45

Alas no image of me in my hoodies as I'm away and haven't bought any with me.  But from next week, it will be hoodie me this and hoodie me that as I embrace Autumn in all its chilly glory!  Next up... got to be boots.  

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.. and from a wide option to a very narrow one.  SKINNIES!  And not just normal skinnies - oh no, we are embracing our inner rock chick (or at the very least our inner rock chickette which is probably the same thing as chick but the only thing I can think of that is younger than a chick is an egg and that doesn't really work).

Coated.  Or leather.  Or faux leather.  No I haven't lost my mind.  These are a LOT more flattering than you would think.  And a lot more versatile.  They could EVEN be leggings.  I KNOW!  As someone who isn't the biggest fan of leggings - again no, I haven't lost my mind - when you add a coating to jersey, it changes them completely.  It gives them a structure you would be amazed at.  

Granted, I'm not going to be sporting simply a tee with them, but with a longer line top - be it jersey or a chunky knit - or channel your inner Uma Thurman with a white masculine shirt and a blazer and you're set to go.  

The other joy of a coated or leather skinny is that they are super versatile and probably the only thing I can think of that you can wear to a party and for dog walking (they're wipe down - trust me, they're genius!).

So let's start with the coated... and you won't believe it but my favourite ones I have are about 7 yrs old from... New Look.  STLL going strong.  Well.  Strongish... The ones I have are high waisted (properly hold everything in with not a muffin in sight), stretch in the right places are super flattering and were about £20. 

I'm not sure they still have the same ones but these are ones that they have this year that I'm going to be trying. 

I LOVE the idea of lift and shape... 

Black leather look Lift and Shape Jenna Skinny Jeans £28.99 in four different leg lengths

Which it says they also do in a Tall but the pictures don't match...

Black leather look Haillie jeans from New Look £28.99 with four different leg lengths.  They also have 25% off if you sign up to their newsletter.

Topshop also have a variety of leg lengths in their Jamie Coated Jeans.

Black coated Jamie jeans from Topshop £45.99 currently on offer for £36.79

Black coated high rise skinny jeans from River Island £45

Black Molly Mid Rise Coated Jean from River Island £45

River Island Plus Molly coated skinny jeans in black were £40 now £20

Missguided Tall Coated Skinny Jeans from ASOS £28

And in the Petite again from Missguided at ASOS £28

Vero Moda Coated Skinny Jeans were £35 now £17.50

And then there are the proper leather ones. 

The ones I have from hush which they don't seem to have in stock at the moment but I'll check to see if they're getting them this season.

But other options - it's absolutely worth looking at The Outnet.  These are an investment for sure.  There's no denying it BUT, in my experience, they do last the test of time.  I have had mine for 7yrs and they are still going strong.

Black leather leggings from DROMe at The Outnet were £566 now £264

Leather Leggings from H&M £199

ASOS DESIGN leather look leggings £22 

They do these for different heights which, when it comes to leggings is super important as you don't want these to be low rise if you're too tall and you don't want to be able to tuck your boobs into your leggings if you're petite.

ASOS Tall Leather look leggings £22

So some definite food for thought there - for me, I have to say whilst the leather leggings are super comfortable and work with big jumpers and oversized coats - I do actually find the coated jeans a lot more useful.  They work for the same outfits that the leggings do but because of the structure that the zip, waistband and pocket features give - you can also wear them with shorter tops - I'm always VERY concerned about wearing something too short over leggings - deffo needs to be bum covering.  That's not to say I'd wear a tight top but a tee or blouse half tucked in that has a little volume in it, does work with jeans whereas I struggle to team them any more with leggings.  As clear as mud?! 

And to that end, it may well be worth trying the actual Spanx ones which I've heard so many good things about... 

Spanx faux leather high waist sculpting leggings £89

AND alas I don't have a pic of me in them but fear not - they're on the style file for next week when I get back from Suffolk (and I'm assuming it will be full blown Autumn!).

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...although I could have gone in with the C word (CHRISTMAS!) BUT I'm breaking us in gently with Autumn...

Yes, there is definitely a nip in the air of Autumnal 

For now I LOVE them with a tee, sandals and a blazer.  As soon as the weather slightly turns, I wear a long sleeved tee or fine knit jumper, blazers and trainers.  Change of weather, I keep the trainers, a chunkier jumper and an oversized coat or trench.

You CAN still wear these if you're petite - it's just about getting the proportions right.  A higher waist will give the impression of elongating the legs and you can team them with a flatform or a heeled boot to give you some more height. It's probably best not to wear lots of fabric or chunky layers over the top.  The more fluid your outerwear, again it will give the impression of height not width. 

Starting with two that I can personally recommend.  I have had both of these for the last couple of years - M&S have thoughtfully bought them back and they are the best wide leg black trousers bar none. 

First up a pair that are fab for transitional dressing (fashion schmasion talk for those tricky times of year when it's not warm or cold aka Spring and Autumn and pretty much many days inbetween as well).

Drawstring Wide Leg Trousers from M&S £29.50

Which they also do in navy...again £29.50 from M&S

Wide leg trousers from M&S £39.50

They also have them this season in what they call bronze but it's more of a taupe pink I would say.  Again £39.50

Wide Leg Trousers in Hunter Green from M&S £39.50

Tall Olive Wide Leg Trousers BUT currently on offer at £20.30  

Higher waist now at Next - I haven't tried these but they look excellent and they come in different leg lengths.  Imperative with wide leg trousers. 

Camel Wide Trousers from Next £38

Camila Wide Leg Trousers £79

Speaking of high waisted trousers - these from Emma Willis at Next are FABULOUS (of course sold out already in all the long sizes "insert all the eye rolling".

Black Emma Willis Wide Leg Trousers at Next £42

Hampshire Ponte Trousers from Boden £75 in navy  These also come in three lengths.

They also come in black and.. RED!! 

Hampshire Ponte Trousers in red from Boden £75. Again all in three lengths.

Wide leg high waist jeans from Mango in off white £49.99

Mid Stone '90s Flare Jeans from Topshop were £29.99 now on offer for £23.99 The upside of these is that they do come in different lengths.

Wide leg again at Monki

Monki Nani Organic Cotton Jeans £40

Vero Moda wide leg jeans with fray cuff £50

Jeans - Zara (ss20)

Sandals - Birkenstock X Proenza Schouler at Net a Porter (ss20)

Bags - Anna Pugh (ss20)

Sunglasses - Accessorize (ss19)

Couple of things on my mind for the coming new season - I'm STILL going to be doing the sandals as I did promise I would and I think they're still perfect to wear well into the Autumn.  And bags... and leather leggings.  Don't ASK!  But trust me...