I'm a Minimalist—15 Timeless Pieces I'm Adding to My Autumn Wish List

As one of the OG influencers (who remembers her first YouTube handle, ViviannaDoesMakeup?), chances are you already know, and follow, Anna Newton of The Anna Edit. An online content creator and author of An Edited Life as well as the An Edited Life newsletter, she is known for her effortlessly chic and minimalist style as well as her impressive capsule-wardrobing skills, appreciation for pre-loved fashion, and for her beauty expertise. She is committed to investing in classic, timeless pieces and regularly has the entire Who What Wear UK team talking about (and shopping!) her daily looks and online edits. So, who better than Anna to share her ultimate autumn wish list ahead of the new season. Anna, the floor is yours…

Knitwear, denim and sandal season is here and I for one could not be happier about it. That holy trinity is my favourite outfit combination—there is just nothing that hits quite like a thin cashmere jumper, a straight leg denim and a strap sandal. It’s *Chef’s kiss* every single time. However once the weather dips a bit and the coats start to come out, it’s time to retire the thinner layers and switch for thicker fabrics. So here’s what’s on my wis hlist for when autumn really kicks in…

I never thought we’d be here again, but what can I say? It’s taken 15 years but ballet flats are back. I’m liking these from ARKET as they come up quite high on the foot, making them a good starting point if you’re more used to a loafer and need easing back in.

Toteme now do bags?! And of course they are everything we want them to be. This bag somehow manages to be slouchy, but structured and looks to be a decent size for all your usual handbag bits.

I can’t lie—I’ve just checked out with these in my basket. This slim fit, softly pointed toe is the boot shape of the season and is great with skirts and jeans alike. It was the very everyday friendly heel that tipped me over the edge.

Red is due to be everywhere this season, you have been warned! But as a lover of neutrals, I’ll be keeping it to deep burgundy hues and accessories only as they always work out to be a better cost-per-wear investment for me, than a brightly coloured clothing item.

With the above in mind, I really like these earrings from Lie Studio. Like imagine a plain white t-shirt, straight leg jeans, those Toteme boots and these? That’s my autumn uniform right there.

Of course autumn is all about the knitwear, but let’s not neglect the ‘nice tops to go with jeans’ category, which this waistcoat neatly falls into. I actually love how it’s styled on the Ref website, with a slicked back bun, red lip and chunky gold earrings.

I haven’t really got much variety in the cardigan category, so I’m thinking of adding this. It’s super thin so easy to layer up or throw over the shoulders if you ever get warm, and just in a really simple, classic shape.

I have such a similar vest to this and I have worn it loads over the summer months—in fact I’m wearing it as I type this! Perfect with jeans and sandals, but great with like an oversized denim jacket thrown over the top of it as we head into the chillier months.

I have seen this all over my Instagram feed and it is top of my wishlist right now. I’ve enjoyed wearing thinner knitted waistcoats this summer, but this one feels chunkier and more autumnal than others I’ve seen.

Such a great dupe for the Toteme version of this that I have in black. Not only are they so, so, SO warm, the texture just adds something a bit different to things and they look great on in-between days when you can wear them with jeans and flip flops.

I’m sorry but this coat is just the epitome of chic and I apologise now for putting it on your radar because it’s definitely an investment buy. However it’s 100% wool and 100% a coat you’d have in your wardrobe forever.

You know the oversized RAEY coat that is all over your feed every winter season? I’d say that this is the high-street version I’ve seen. With a button closure and concealed buttons, I love this khaki-like beige colour.

I’m on the hunt to add more chocolatey brown tones into my wardrobe—to add a bit of warmth and autumnal flavour, you know? This looks right up my street and as it’s a shorter jacket it will be great for transitional months.

I might have quite a comprehensive denim collection, but I’m lacking on the indigo denim front. These tick that box and with an with an oversized, wide-leg fit too. TICK TICK.

If I had a penny for every time I’d seen an influencer friend talk about these, well… I have to say that I’m most tempted by the grey colour—a perfect pairing with a cream tank and some pointy black boots.

Next Up: The Autumn/Winter 2023 Fashion Trends That Really Matter