7 key pieces that will carry you into autumn

1) Setting New Tones

Now that you’ve mastered colour blocking, autumn is offering up a more daring array of combinations. Burgundy and pink made fast friends at Valentino and Stella McCartney, while lilac and khaki bonded at Emilio Pucci. Whether you choose to champion this look with the simple addition of hyper-hued tights (see Givenchy and Balenciaga for stocking cues) or mix and match contrasting tops and bottoms (Sies Marjan), limit your palette to two to three tones or it will be overkill.

2) Smart Denim

The two-piece suit is back in business, especially when cut in a heritage tweed. But what’s new to the mix is Max Mara’s engineered wool denim, first debuted at the brand’s pre-fall Shanghai show. The wrinkle-resistant fabric lends itself remarkably well to tailoring; something to consider for office dress codes that don’t quite stretch to jeans.

3) Frills & spills

From Erdem to Zimmermann, high necklines, cascading ruffles and statement sleeves continue to dominate the dress domain. Selfridges’ womenswear buying manager Jeannie Lee has already invested heavily in this romantic look. ‘Designers are giving the Victorian look a modern update, which offers a fresh take on the period-inspired theme, while also bearing a high dose of modesty,’ she says. Take this feminine number from breakfast to the bar by exchanging a pointed flat for a flatform heel.

4) Mules rule

You heard it here first: kitten-heeled mules are set to be this autumn’s sliders. Don’t be fooled by the elegant satin and ladylike bow of these Balenciaga points; Demna Gvasalia’s subversive touch is all over that angled heel. Street style star Camille Charrière is already smitten: ‘Kitten heels work wonders by making a boyish silhouette look more feminine, and also mean that you can run around from day to night without a shoe change.’ Find the Insta-influencer wearing hers with a pair of Levi’s classic 501s and a simple white Cos T-shirt.

5) Bedtime glory

Easy pyjama dressing is the perfect foil to those high-glamour, high-maintenance moments in your life. Brands from Gucci to Whistles have jazzed up their plain piped silk sets with oversized florals that you’ll want to live in 24/ 7.

6) Get a handle

After seasons of cross-body domination, top handle bags are finally back on, well, top. Polish up those nails, as brands from Proenza Schouler to Prada are promising plenty of wrist worship to come.

7) The pleat goes on

Come AW17 you’re going to be seeing pleats everywhere, from spliced midis to knife-pleated maxis. The best news is their versatility. Phoebe Philo’s kilt-ish Céline version will transition seamlessly from island escape to the boardroom, with the simple addition of a co-ordinating tailored shirt. Victoria Beckham has been seen sporting her own interpretation (above) with either a strappy sandal or slouch boot — a styling move that we also spotted on the Fendi runway for AW17.