transitioning to Autumn

As we transition from Summer to Autumn, it’s not always easy to decide what new pieces to invest in and how to make sure that we spend our money wisely to get the new season look, so here are our tips on transitioning to Autumn with Marks & Spencer.  

Versatility and transitioning to Autumn  with Marks & Spencer

There is also the added complication of finding time to shop in our hectic lives, as there are often just not enough hours in the day!

If like me, you don’t have hours to spend each day deciding what to wear, and you want to be able to get ready quickly and effortlessly, but still want a stylish, polished look, then  Marks and Spencer are here to help as their New Season collection contains a range of versatile, quality products that will take you from the office, to the school run, to lunch and on for a night out, and to make life even easier, you can shop from the comfort of your home whilst relaxing in your PJs over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine!

Their new Autumn collection certainly lives up to its promise as everything I chose was comfortable, stylish, easy to wear, good quality and very versatile.

M&S-fishtail-pencil-mdi-skirt

In particular I chose this black, fishtail pencil midi skirt as I thought it was the perfect piece to emphasise my hourglass figure and that it would be a great focal point for an outfit that would take me from work straight on to a dinner date.

The skirt is mid-rise, which makes it very comfortable to wear and there is a bit of stretch (for after dinner later!). It’s also machine washable and you can even tumble-dry it, which makes it so easy to care for!

Overall, I am really happy with the skirt as I believe it flatters my figure, is comfortable as well as stylish and it is an easy piece to throw on for an effortlessly chic look. The simple cut and colour also mean that the skirt is perfect for both smart and casual and is easy to wear both at work and at the weekend.

Day to Night versatility with Marks & Spencer

Day Look

transitioning to Autumn
M&S-block-heel-brocade-ankle-boots transitioning to Autumn
transitioning to Autumn M&S-new-season-collection
M&S-block-heel-brocade-ankle-boots

For the day look, I chose to pair the skirt with a soft, cashmere cardigan and these beautiful, brocade boots, also from the Marks & Spencer Autumn Collection.

If you are going to invest in one quality item this Autumn, then you really can’t go wrong with a cashmere sweater or cardigan, which is both luxurious, timeless and ageless. My daughters both wear cashmere sweaters as does my mother-in-law! Here are our top 5 reasons why you should wear cashmere.

I chose to wear this black cardi buttoned and belted for a work look, but if you look closely you can catch a glimpse of purple lace at the neckline, which meant that transitioning to an evening look was a simple task!

As soon as I saw these brocade ankle boots I knew I had to have them! I think they look great with this black skirt, but they would also look fabulous with jeans for the weekend, and they are so comfortable, due to the Insolia® * technology.

Outfit details

Marks & Spencer Fishtail Pencil Midi Skirt / Marks & Spencer Pure Cashmere Button Through Cardigan / Marks & Spencer Block Heel Brocade Ankle Boots / Marks & Spencer Faux Leather Buckle Waist Belt

Date night look

transitioning to Autumn
M&S-silk-and-lace-camisole
M&S-new-season-collection transitioning to Autumn

We all lead such busy lives, (and some of us work a long way away from our home) so it’s not always practical to go home and change before going out.

A few simple adjustments that took less than 5 minutes and you could do, while sitting at your desk in full, public view were all it took to transform this look! I just took off the belt, unbuttoned the cardigan, and swapped the shoes. I also reapplied my lipstick for a more evening look.

If you want to make the change more dramatic then you could add some statement jewellery and apply some striking eye makeup.

The silk and lace camisole is from the ‘Rosie for Autograph’ lingerie range, and is a perfect way to add a hint of colour and sensuality to your look.  In the day look, the cami was just visible under the cashmere cardigan (and would also look amazing under a structured blazer for a chic and effortless office look).

In the evening look, I styled the cami on its own, as even though it is from the lingerie department, the quality and luxury feel of this product ensure that this is perfectly acceptable.

If you’re a bit uncomfortable about exposing too much flesh, then you can leave the cardigan on, but keep it unbuttoned, as I did, or place it over your shoulders.

M&S- Leather-Metal-Heel-Slingback-Court-Shoes.

I also changed the heels for these peep-toe, leather court shoes which have the same  Insolia® technology as the boots, and so are really comfortable to wear, despite the higher heels.

They also incorporate Stain Resistant technology, which protects against both oil and water based stains, which given the amount of rain we’ve been having is not only useful but essential!

Outfit details

Marks & Spencer Fishtail Pencil Midi Skirt / Marks & Spencer Silk & Lace Camisole / Marks & Spencer Leather Metal Heel Slingback Court Shoes.  

M&S-pure-cashmere-button-through-cardigan

Overall, I was really impressed with all the pieces, the shipping was really fast (about 2-3 days) and all the pieces are great quality, stylish, versatile and ageless. 

What do you think of the Marks & Spencer New Collection?  Have you bought any of the new pieces?  If not, grab a cup of coffee and have a look here! You can also have a look here for more of our style features.

Thanks to Marks & Spencer and Shopping Links for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions I have shared about the products are my own .

*Insolia® redistributes your weight away from the balls of your feet, thereby reducing pressure and increasing ankle stability, allowing you to wear your heels comfortably all day long. Insolia® is endorsed by the UK College of Podiatrists.