What to wear this autumn (and mistakes to avoid), by a celebrity stylist

The Strictly Come Dancing theme tune is about to soundtrack our Saturday evenings, the supermarket fun aisles are slowly being overtaken with pumpkin-themed paraphernalia and you’re suddenly craving warm pies for dinner. Autumn has arrived, and with the change of seasons, comes the need to switch up our wardrobe – you don’t want to be wearing only a frilly vest in the rain. Some of us may feel relieved to say goodbye to minimal dressing in favour of layers, while others may feel sad about always having to consider what coat will go with our ensembles. Ellis Ranson, celebrity stylist and host of the fashion podcast Talk in Wardrobe ,sees it as a new beginning offering a chance to get more playful with your wardrobe. Here, she shares her top tips, including how to use our summer pieces for longer… Shorts Embrace the in-between Yesterday I wore flip-flops with jeans and a long-sleeved top, as we’re in that period where anything goes. Rather than worry about never knowing what the weather may do, we would all do better to embrace the unpredictability and the freedom it grants us. It makes autumn feel much more fun when you do this. One major pro of autumn is that, in the depths of winter, you’re covering your outfit with a big coat, but in autumn it’s warm enough that you can wear an unbuttoned light jacket. I like a lightweight trench – it’s classic, works at this weird in-between time and can stay in your wardrobe for years – I’ve had my Burberry one since I was 21, and it gets worn every year. You can put it over a little dress and pumps, or with jeans, and it just works. I originally thought suede jackets with a funnel neck were a passing trend, but this is the second year we’re seeing them, and if anything, people have become more obsessed with them. If you stick to lighter tones, it is a great way to dip your feet slowly into autumn. Repurpose summer dresses and skirts All printed dresses you’ve worn in the last few months shouldn’t automatically be packed away. Big floral patterns should probably stay in the summer, but many styles will still work, such as polka dots, which were big in the past few months and are good to keep wearing because maximalism is absolutely back, whatever the season. To make them more autumnal, chuck on a cardigan – a great lighter layer when it’s grey outside but still warm – then add a belt and pair them with nice boots. You could wear a flowing maxi skirt with a suede jacket and a little knit. These tweaks will make things feel different, but without buying new outfits. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you could embrace the 2000s style and put a dress or skirt over trousers. Autumn isn’t just about blacks, greys and neutrals, so Ellis recommends embracing colour this year Embrace the revival trends I am really excited about the Western trend that we’re seeing emerging – I love the fringing, the suede jackets, the bootcut jeans and vintage chunky belts. What’s amazing about this trend is you can get it on the high street, but you can also go vintage shopping and rummage through your wardrobe to find old pieces from the last time it was here. I recently found an old All Saints ‘Jesus Loves You’ belt that belongs to my mum, and there’s nothing cooler than mixing old with new, so I’ll be adding it to a newer dress. Expand your colour palette There is a strong palette we naturally go towards right now – the black, grey, navy, beige and burgundy colours – but I’m seeing a bit more scope to expand our choices. Because of the more extreme summer weather, we’re not ready for that harsh autumn yet. I’m still 100 per cent going to wear the full grey tonal look, and black is obviously so chic in autumn, but I’m adding pops of colour as well to make my wardrobe feel a bit lighter. The turquoise blues and purples that we saw in summer are staying, which I don’t think we’ve seen before. Don’t pack away ballet pumps While I love flip-flops for making most outfits look more chic, getting our toes out for the whole of autumn is a little ambitious. Another traditional summer shoe offers more coverage – the ballet pump. You can use them to bring colours into your outfit without it being overpowering. Also, a lot of us have tan shoes, which can easily be repurposed from summer to autumn. I would also recommend investing in a good pair of ankle boots. I have got some black ones with a tiny heel from Deichmann, which offer so much versatility. They work with my jeans, trousers and skirts – I can wear them in all situations, and crucially, I can walk in them. Find something you are genuinely comfortable in. Barrel leg jeans are on trend and are flattering for people with most types of figure Try a barrel-leg jean With denim jeans coming back out, a few of us may be thinking about heading to the shops to invest in a new pair, and I know that prospect can be daunting. To try to make it less painful, I always take multiple sizes into the changing room because sizing varies so much between brands. Jeans are such a personal choice, with each of us favouring different styles, but I would advise you to try barrel-leg jeans. Having styled them on many different people, I’ve found that they offer a really flattering fit on most body types. If you’ve got a curvier figure, they showcase it, and if you’ve got a straight figure, the curved silhouette adds a bit of proportion. They don’t cling to your body, can be dressed up or down and are also really comfortable. The shape adds interest to the outfit, which means everything else can be plain and simple. Learn to layer Mastering the art of layering will make your autumn much more pleasant. What I often see is people dress as if they will be walking around outside all day, forgetting they will be inside buildings with heating. They arrive at their destination, get hot and flustered, peel off their layers, and suddenly find themselves sitting down to dinner in a T-shirt that was never meant to be seen. Outer layers are part of the outfit, but they cannot be the whole outfit, so pay equal attention to every piece. I love flannel shirts or a cardigan because they are warm but easy to whip off. Merino wool is great because it’s breathable, and cashmere too, if you’ve got the budget. M&S, Arket and Cos are great for sourcing these items. They are a bit more expensive, but it’s worth it for the longevity; many brands will sell you a knit that won’t last more than one season. Learn to layer as the temperatures begin to dip in autumn Don’t overdo it Lots of people use September as a fresh start, and it can be the same for your wardrobe, so take time to think about what you actually want to wear, rather than just throwing on every trend. Use this time to go through your closet and figure out what you like to wear and what is missing; it will stop impulse-buying and ensure you don’t own the same colour knit 10 times. People chuck on an oversized knit, baggy jeans, chunky boots, a big coat, a thick scarf, and literally look like a snowman. Don’t overdo it because you’re excited about autumnal trends – remember proportions and what is flattering for your own body.