Curating the ideal autumn outfit often involves navigating challenges posed by wind, rain, and chilly temperatures. While classic items like a trench coat or tailored trousers can instantly elevate a look, there are numerous pieces that can inadvertently detract from one's style. According to Fabulous Fashion Assistant Emily Regan, several common wardrobe choices can make an individual appear less refined and out of sync with current trends.

One significant item to reconsider is clothing adorned with prominent designer logos. Emily Regan cautions that while expensive, such branded items can have the opposite of their intended effect. Instead of appearing stylish, they often make the wearer resemble a "walking advertisement" and can cheapen the overall aesthetic. Regan advises opting for "well-made, unbranded pieces that fit properly" to achieve a more refined and costly impression. She suggests exploring options from high-street retailers like Zara and H&M, or discovering gems in second-hand shops and online marketplaces such as Vinted and eBay, emphasizing that "true style isn’t about where you shop, it’s about how you choose to put your outfits together."

Photo Credit: The Sun

As the colder season approaches, many stores will stock coats with fur hoods, a style Emily Regan identifies as a major fashion faux pas. While undeniably warm, these jackets are considered by Regan to be one of the fastest ways to cheapen a winter look. She describes the typical faux fur as "stiff, shiny and suspiciously uniform," rarely conveying luxury. This silhouette, often mass-produced by fast fashion retailers in generic black, navy, and khaki, suggests a lack of style evolution, making the wearer appear dated and basic. Despite their practicality for warmth, Regan argues that in a season where the coat should be the centerpiece of an outfit, the faux fur hood takes a shortcut to a dated look.

White trainers, despite their versatility, are another item Emily Regan suggests rethinking. While they pair with nearly everything, this ubiquity has become part of the problem. Regan notes that recent seasons have seen the Adidas Samba reshape the trainer scene, making colourful options the new standard. Choosing a bold, vibrant pair now signals thoughtful outfit coordination from head to toe and serves as an easy way to embrace "dopamine dressing." Furthermore, white trainers tend to look scuffed after just one wear, and dirty footwear is never considered a good look.

Regarding accessories, Emily Regan strongly advises against mixing metals, particularly favoring gold over silver for an elevated appearance. She explains that "Gold has always carried more value than silver, both in monetary terms and as a symbol of wealth and status," and has historically represented higher prestige, while the more accessible silver is often perceived as cheaper. However, Regan acknowledges silver's rightful place, especially when paired with cooler tones or complementing fairer complexions. Her firm stance is against mixing metals, as it "feels like a shortcut and detracts from a polished look." For an elevated appearance, consistency in metal choice is paramount, extending even to details like zips on bags, buckles on shoes, and hardware on jackets.

Photo Credit: The Sun

The return of the 'Joni' skinny jeans, a viral Topshop trend from the early 2000s, is another style that Emily Regan believes belongs in the past. While nostalgia drives conversations around its comeback, Regan states that wearing skinny jeans now, especially distressed styles, "feels forced and cheapens an outfit." She suggests that while many gravitate towards them for a leg-lengthening or slimming effect, a straight-leg cut can achieve the same illusion with a much more elevated outcome.

Cropped jumpers also pose a fashion dilemma, particularly in how they are worn. Emily Regan finds the design inherently "impractical," describing it as a garment "caught in limbo." She highlights frayed-hem versions as the worst offenders, often appearing as though a perfectly good jumper has been haphazardly cut. While cropped jumpers can function as thoughtful layering pieces, Regan warns that pairing them with low-waisted jeans, exposing the belly button, makes the look feel out of place for autumn, suggesting a lack of intentional styling.

Finally, suede Chelsea boots, despite the classic Chelsea boot's timeless appeal, are a material and style combination that Regan cautions against. Suede is not weather-friendly, making it unsuitable for rainy conditions. Regan sees suede Chelsea boots as a "throwback to 2010," especially when combined with tights and a floral dress. She argues that fashion has moved beyond its "grunge ‘Kate Moss girl’ era," and these boots, rather than elevating an outfit, often drag it down. Ultimately, she criticizes their proportions, which can make them feel "off, bulky and inelegant," more akin to a school uniform than a polished fashion choice.