Pretty much as soon as Summer ends and we hit the back to school stage of life again, I pack up my Summer wardrobe and crack out the Autumn one. In recent years I have enjoyed the feeling that comes with seasonal rotation of my clothes, as it is an opportunity to rediscover old favourites and purge things you have managed with out. Obviously I have a lot of crossover items that remain in my closet, but overall it is rotated September and April time. With really Summery things coming out June time, and big warm Knits/Wintery stuff being introduced around November.
One of my staples in my Autumn Wardrobe, and one thing I look forward to wearing at this time of year, is my array of shirts. They are comfortable, versatile and feel so “me”.
Autumn is definitely one of my favourites style wise (with Winter close behind) as I find with my shirts and sweaters it is super easy to dress for. And as we near the end of this beloved and easy to style season I wanted to share with you my 5 go to favourite shirts that I wear on rotation and just love.
I love them all for various reasons, but mostly because the majority of them are decent brands, and because all of them were sale or charity shops!
My Favourite Shirts of Autumn
Up first is my Zara denim shirt – This was given to me by my younger and very stylish sister in law when we lived with them in the Summer. I love it because it’s Zara, so instantly brings some style to any outfit, and also because it was FREE! It is super comfortable and the light denim wash looks lovely on sunny Autumn days. I love the embroidery and wear it regularly with black skinnies and then either my tan suede ankle boots or pumps.
Also from Zara is my black and orange check shirt. This one was bought in a charity shop this Spring for a couple of pounds and I knew it would look great come Autumn! I call this my posh shirt as it feels a little more classy than the others I wear with the thinner, curved collar and piping down the buttons. This one is great to wear with jeans and ankle boots or knee high boots, and also under my denim dress with tights and ankle boots.
I have had my red Check shirt well over a year now and wear it all the time and through every season! I bought it in a charity shop, again for a couple of pounds and find it super comfy and cosy, I love to wear this with jeans and pumps or my favourite outfit – Black skinnies and black boots! I am a little sad that this one is getting slightly bobbly and worn as a result of lots of wear. But with its cosy fabric and vibrant colour, it will be a long time until we part!
Another checked number is my Levis pinky one with blue! I love this becuase it is super comfy and casual and great for the sunnier days of Autumn (and Spring). Its nicer with my lighter denims and pumps or trainers. When I want a really chill day this is the one I grab! It cost me about 3 or 4 pounds…for a Levi’s shirt – Yes!
My Jack Wills blue shirt is my newest shirt and has quickly made it in to the top 5! I bought this only in September from their pop up outlet store in Hull for £9. I love it because it is very different to any of my others in style and colour and with that it is also one I can wear with more crazy things too (my silver shoes). Like my others it wears well with boots, jeans and pumps day to day, but with its frilly collar, it has the bonus of being able to be dressed up with heeled boots and silvery shoes!
I have other shirts and blouses that I love too, with cool patterns or stripes, and some that are super easy to dress up with heels and funky flats, but these are my go to every day ones. I have realised with putting this post together that it’s only since I entered my 30’s that I can honestly put my hand up and say “Yes I am confident in myself and know my style”. I have gone through so many phases, fads and even copying of others styles through my teens and 20’s (all in an attempt to discover my style) but it’s only now that I feel I know what I look good in and what is cool for my lifestyle!
It is with trying out various styles and trends that has led to me finding “me” and what makes her most comfortable, and that makes me so much happier and more comfortable in my skin!
My style can be a little crazy at times, but so can I, so its a perfect combo. I tend to, in my day to day style as a busy mum, stick to things that are comfortable and casual and these often will have a sporty, glam streak running through them too. I love retro things but I mostly love anything that is rich in colour and patterns. I love to dress up casual things with earrings, scarves and necklaces, and I live mostly in jeans/black skinnes and pumps and boots. So, if it goes with these staples, isn’t too tight and clingy, and overall feels like it’s “me”, then it most definitely is a keeper!
Shirts, especially checked and denim ones I find look stylish, can be worn with pretty much anything and keep “me as a mum” both comfortable and stylish. I love them on their own, under jumpers, open with t shirts, and always with black skinnies or jeans! I love that knowing my style instantly makes me feel more stylish because of the confidence that now comes with that knowledge of who I am. I find it so much quicker to get ready these days because I love everything in my wardrobe and know how to wear it together…. especially my shirts and old favourites!
