There's a particular moment every year when you open your wardrobe and realise your summer clothes just aren't going to cut it anymore.
There's a particular moment every year when you open your wardrobe and realise your summer clothes just aren't going to cut it anymore. The mornings have a bite to them, the evenings are drawing in and suddenly all you want is something warm, something layered, something that actually feels like Autumn. If that's where you're at right now, The Marlowes in Hemel Hempstead has you covered.
We've had a look at what's trending this season across some of the centre's favourite stores, so here's what's worth knowing before you start shopping.
If you only add one new colour to your wardrobe this year, make it burgundy. It's deep and rich without being try-hard, and it works whether you're dressing up or down. A burgundy jumper thrown on with your go-to jeans makes for an easy weekend outfit, while a burgundy dress can carry you from a desk in the office straight through to dinner. Not ready to commit to a whole outfit? A bag or a pair of shoes in this shade does the job just as well. New Look has some lovely pieces if you want to ease into it.
Some trends never really leave, and checks are one of them. This season you'll find them on shirts, skirts, trousers, dresses and blazers - plenty of ways in, depending on how bold you're feeling. Layer a checked shirt over a plain tee for something casual or reach for a checked blazer when you want to look a bit more put-together. It pairs naturally with cream, denim, chocolate brown or burgundy, so it's an easy one to slot into what you already own. Worth a browse at both Marks & Spencer and New Look.
Autumn weather can't make its mind up, so your outfit shouldn't have to either. The trick is starting simple and building from there - a T-shirt under a shirt, a cardigan over a dress, a scarf for the chillier mornings. A good jacket earns its keep here too, equally at home with jeans and trainers as it is with something smarter underneath. Layering isn't just practical; it's also a good excuse to get more mileage out of clothes you already own rather than buying new.
Every Autumn wardrobe needs knitwear, but this year it's worth going beyond the plain jumper. Think textured knits, cardigans with a bit of polish, or details that make a piece feel more considered. A chunky knit with jeans and trainers suits a lazy Autumn day, while a smarter cardigan works well over a skirt or tailored trousers. And once it turns properly cold, layering your knitwear under a coat keeps you warm without losing the look. Marks & Spencer is a good place to start if you want ideas.
If trainers and relaxed layers are more your thing, there's still plenty to get excited about this season. JD Sports is leaning into an Autumn palette of rich browns, burgundy, cream, green and blue - colours that feel seasonal without straying too far from your usual style. Try trainers with straight-leg jeans and a jumper, or a sweatshirt layered under a smart coat for something that looks more effortful than it actually is.
With so much going on in Autumn - work, weekends, plans you didn't know you had - it helps to buy clothes that can do double duty. A midi dress looks different with trainers in the day than it does with ankle boots and jewellery in the evening. A tailored jacket dresses up jeans. A simple knit changes entirely depending on what you pair it with. Building your wardrobe around pieces like this means fewer purchases and more outfits.
Not in the mood for a full wardrobe refresh? You don't need one. A burgundy bag, a checked scarf, a new pair of boots - small additions like this can update an outfit you already love. Chocolate brown, forest green and cream are all worth exploring too if you fancy experimenting with colour without committing to anything drastic.
Whatever you're after this season - new knitwear, everyday trainers, a few statement pieces or just some finishing touches - The Marlowes has it. With Marks & Spencer, New Look and JD Sports all under one roof, it's an easy place to spend an afternoon finding your new-season favourites.
Fancy making a day of it? Head to The Marlowes and see what's new this Autumn.