I’m a fashion editor based in London. Here’s everything you need to buy now that you’re retired

Trend cycles can be incredibly fickle, so when investing in new pieces, I’m always careful to err on the classic side and opt for something more in line with my personal style. The Fall/Winter 2024 collection saw a shift towards elegant, grown-up dressing. Personally, I’m glad to see a move away from the Y2K naked dressing and saturated Barbie pinks that have dominated the past few seasons. There was a focus on timeless investment pieces like Miu Miu and Gucci, but that doesn’t mean designers relied on vanilla styles. Clever layering, sculptural silhouettes, and a rich color palette have given us lots of new ideas for how to dress in the colder months.

As always, Who What Wear has covered a wide range of runway trends that will influence your outfits over the next six months, and these are the new season purchases that I’m personally considering. From flat riding boots to flowing bohemian blouses, I think these swaps will unlock new styling ideas with my existing wardrobe.

Purchase: Khaki and Olive

Retired: Winter White

As for colors, moss, olive and khaki tones are important throughout the collection, and although they look just as expensive as beige or white, they are much more practical. As seen above at Gucci, this was the dominant shade, but Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta are also backing this color moment. The key is to wear it from head to toe by pairing it with a knit or blouse and pants or skirt. This & Other Stories crinkle top is at the top of my wishlist.

Purchase: Barn Jacket

Retirement: Quilted down coat

Every Brit needs a practical coat for strenuous walks in the countryside. These days, many of us, myself included, have been hibernating in ankle-length duvets. However, I was ready for something a little more fashionable and had been considering purchasing this classic country coat ever since Prada included a waxburn jacket in its spring/summer collection. The jacket above by Wales Bonner is a fantastic purchase, but I’m equally happy with what Mango has to offer.

Buy: Pointed Slingback

Deprecated: Platform

Instead of towering platforms and disco heels, fall/winter designers showed how stylish pointed slingbacks can be. It looks especially classy when paired with a pencil skirt or shift dress, like Jason Wu above. I personally prefer shiny patent pumps, like the pair below from & Other Stories.

Purchase: Barrel pants

Retirement: Slim fit pants

Tailored pants have been prominent on the runways for the past few seasons, but this year it’s all about barrel legs achieved in either denim, leather (like Bottega Veneta above), or wool. Alaia pioneered this trend with her horseshoe jeans, which have a banana-line curve that juts out from the hips. Citizens of Humanity’s horseshoe jeans are a bestseller, but I’m personally eyeing this taupe COS.

Buy: Brown Suede Handbag

Retirement: impractical microbag

Chloé may be spearheading the return to bohemian ’70s style, but several designers have created chocolate brown suede handbags that are straight out of that decade. The Isabel Marant crossbody bag above is a crowd-pleaser. Meanwhile, the mango crystal-embellished bag is already an influencer favorite.

Purchase: Ruffle blouse

Discontinued: Crop tops

If ever there was a fall collection that inspired a thousand pieces, it would be Chloé, under the new creative direction of Chemena Kamali. There’s a lot to like about these bohemian styles, but personally I’d invest in a ruffled chiffon blouse. Mango is fully committed to this trend.

Buy: Oversized Scarf Silhouette

Retired: knit vest

Knitted vests may be a Scandinavian favorite, but let’s face it, they’re not very practical in winter when you want to hide your arms. Fall was full of layered knitwear looks, including oversized scarves wrapped around the body and sweaters with dramatic, plunging capes. The key is to create a dramatic shape that exudes charm. I’m going to recreate Tibi’s outfit exactly by layering the camel knit and vinyl skirt.

Buy: Flat knee-high boots

Retired: Chunky Ankle Boots

And finally, no fall shopping list would be complete without boots. I’ve been living in chunky ankle boots for the past few years, but Gucci’s shiny knee-high riding boots are a free rental in my mind. Since I don’t have the budget for Gucci, I’m considering opting for this Massimo Dutti pair instead.