Today marks the autumn equinox — and this changing of the seasons is mirrored in our wardrobes as we pack away the summer clothes we barely wore and look to richer autumnal hues Black dress, €3500; cream dress, €3500, jacket, €2600, all Zimmermann, see brownthomas.com Trench coat, €595, APC, see brownthomas.com Daisy Edgar-Jones wearing Chloé.
Photo: Gotham/Getty The leaves begin to fall, the air becomes crisp, pumpkin spice lattes start to appear on your Instagram feed. Yes, it’s time to pack up that summer wardrobe (which you only got to wear for a couple of weeks anyway) as autumn is here. “This season’s colours are all about variety and richness.
Think deep berry tones like rich reds, burgundies and purples, alongside soft blushes and icy silvers that bring a touch of elegance,” Aveen Byron, designer womenswear and denim buyer at Brown Thomas, says. Brat girl summer may have come to an end, but variations on singer Charli XCX’s signature shade endure. “Greens are also in the mix, from Miu Miu’s apple green accessories to Loewe’s olive tones,” Byron says.
Brat-in-chief Kamala Harris is perhaps the perfect representation of the season’s trends, which Byron describes as blending elegance with a bit of boldness. “You’ll see the pretty feminine trend bringing back those soft, romantic looks with beautiful details, especially in collections from Prada and Miu Miu.” It’s a change of direction for Prada, which has gone for a utilitarian look in the last few seasons.
Perhaps the trad wives of TikTok, however controversial they are, have inspired us all to embrace our feminine side. Softer still is what Byron calls the “Nu Boheme vibe”, a relaxed, free-spirited aesthetic with flowing fabrics and earthy tones. She points to Chemena Kamali’s debut collection for the Chloe fashion house as encapsulating this: think less Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in the early noughties and more Daisy Edgar-Jones, right, promoting a pale blue two-piece.
Daisy Edgar-Jones wearing Chloé. Photo: Gotham/Getty Elsewhere, menswear sees a more relaxed take on tailoring this season. “With several creative directors making their menswear debuts — Sabato at Gucci, Sean McGirr at McQueen, and Pharrell’s second collection at Louis Vuitton — we’re seeing bold new takes on classic styles,” Brown Thomas and Arnotts menswear buyer Emer Keating says.
“One of the standout trends is relaxed suiting. Bright and bold colours are also everywhere this season, from Prada to JW Anderson to Loewe. Vibrant reds, greens, and blues are easy to integrate into wardrobes, making it a versatile trend.
” Trench coat, €595, APC, see brownthomas.com If suiting isn’t your thing, the Carhartt-wearing men of Ireland will be delighted to hear that the workwear trend is staying put. “Workwear is still going strong, with a ‘luxification’ twist for AW24,” Keating says.
“Brands are adding elevated details like reinforced panels and trade-specific trims to workwear classics, bringing utility styles into the luxury realm.” brownthomas.com Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
