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With a summer of heatwave after heatwave behind us, this autumn might feel like a shock – and a hard one to dress for, at that. Once the first leaves start to fall and your shorts get relegated to the back of the cupboard, the slightest hint of a chill in the air can cause a wardrobe panic. How do you style long sleeves again? Cue standing in front of a wardrobe full of clothes, feeling like you’ve got nothing to wear.
Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up the 2026 autumn fashion trends that you’ll be seeing everywhere this year, ready to give you some much-needed outfit inspiration as you decide what to wear while the seasons change.
Plus, we’ve included ideas for how to style each fashion trend to make it your own, as well as some nifty tips for saving on your new favourite pieces with Blue Light Card.
Pictured: Dorothy Perkins Classic Midi Funnel Neck Coat in Burgundy, MissPap Faux Croc Leather High Flared Stiletto Heel Knee Boots in Burgundy and Wallis Button Through Belted Shirt Dress in Wine.
If autumn were a Pantone shade, burgundy would take the top spot. It’s warm, rich, and somehow both bold and effortless to wear. Once you buy one deep-red piece, you may just find yourself wanting more – no judgement here!
This trending colour earns its place across a whole outfit. A shirt dress takes you from errands to evening plans without a second thought. A stylish burgundy trench goes with more than you think and will save you worrying about whether your coat ruins an outfit. And a pair of boots? They make even the most thrown-together autumn outfit feel deliberately fashionable. Our top styling tip for this colour? Pair burgundy and chocolate brown for one of the cosiest colour combinations of 2026. But more on that next...
Want your clothes to go with everything, but sick of always wearing black? Chocolate brown has entered the chat.
Brown has been having a well-deserved trending moment all summer, and that continues as we head towards winter. It’s a true neutral that goes with almost everything: cream for a pulled-together look, burgundy for a rich autumn palette or your favourite pair of jeans on the days you don’t want to think too hard.
Start off easy with a brown shoe like the Birkenstock Naples Wrapped. From there, a statement coat like the Oasis Belted Faux Fur Maxi Coat in Dark Brown can become your seasonal MVP. And if you want something with a little more personality, the Wallis Chain Print Mesh Ruched Front Midi Dress is an eye-catching addition to your wardrobe.
Pictured: River Island Brown Check Funnel Neck Parka Jacket, Wallis Dogtooth Ponte Drawstring Trouser and Oasis Houndstooth Puff Sleeve Mini Dress with Bows.
Houndstooth (or dogtooth) is a traditional print originally from the Scottish Lowlands. It’s had its moments in and out of fashion, and this season it’s firmly in. Meanwhile, checks have a similarly preppy look. Together, they’re defining this autumn’s fashion trends. Think business-casual vibes and fabrics like tweed and wool.
If you’re a bit nervous about stepping into patterns, here’s the only tip you need: keep everything else plain and let the print do all the talking. A checked parka over a plain knit or a dogtooth trouser with a clean white shirt, and you’re all set!
Leopard print never truly goes away – it just waits patiently in the background, ready for its moment to come back into style. And we’re not talking Kat Slater leopard print. We’re talking about a modern, versatile neutral you can wear with everything!
Dip your toe into leopard print with the UGG Tasman Spotted. Got a date night coming up? The Dorothy Perkins DP Luxe Double Flutter Sleeve Printed Maxi Dress in Leopard needs to be on your radar and in your wardrobe. And for those chilly autumn nights out, grab a pair of heels and tights, and the River Island Leopard Print Mini Skirt will take care of the rest.
Pictured: PrettyLittleThing Ash Grey Funnel Neck Puffball Sweatshirt, Dorothy Perkins Faux Fur Jacket in Brown and PrettyLittleThing Black Nylon Funnel Neck Puffball Jacket.
Some days, tailored trousers and structured tops are just not the mood. You want to leave the house in something that feels like a duvet – and to be honest, that’s the highest compliment a piece of clothing can receive.
The good news is that cosy dressing is getting a glow-up this autumn. You can be warm and comfortable out and about, without apologising for your outfit’s resemblance to pyjamas.
Look out for voluminous ‘puffball' silhouettes to look on trend while being wrapped in comfort. They’re easy to style: big, loose shapes on top, slimmer trousers on the bottom and you’re done. Faux fur works the same way – throw a fur jacket over a simple base outfit and immediately, it’ll look like a well-thought-out decision even if it’s your go-to for days you want to avoid uncomfortable seams and waistbands.
Looser, more relaxed shapes have been having a moment for a while now – and if anything, they’re only getting stronger this season. Wide-leg trousers remain one of the most wearable shapes going, and this is your sign to give them a try.
Skinny jeans have been left in 2016, so grab yourself a flowy trouser, and you’re set. The range they cover is part of what makes them so brilliant. Style the River Island Burgundy Pleat Wide Leg Trousers with a tucked-in top, and you can dress the outfit up or down depending on the occasion. Or keep it casual with the River Island Brown Check Straight Wide Leg Trousers – the check print nods back to one of the season’s biggest print trends, and they work just as well with trainers and an oversized knit as they do with anything dressy. Or if you want something with a little extra detail, the Oasis Lace Cuff Satin Back Crepe Wide Leg Trouser in Olive brings a touch of elegance with its lacy cuff finish.
If you have never tried wide-leg before, the trick is to keep the top half fitted and let the trouser do the talking.
Pictured: Adidas Handball Spezial, Nike V5 RNR Suede and UGG Quill Mary Jane Trainer.
Trainers are a summer staple, but you don’t need to put them away just yet. If you’ve been thinking about investing in a new pair, now is absolutely the time.
The trainer trend this season is all about texture and tone. Suede is the material of the moment, and the colourways to go for are muted and earthy. Think olive, cream and soft neutral tones that slot straight into the autumn palette. Swap your tatty, old shoes that have seen one too many dog walks for something fresh. They also happen to be the perfect partner for wide-leg trousers.
Plus, if you’re ever nervous about trying a slightly daring outfit or trend, trainers are the perfect way to keep things dressed down so you don’t feel self-conscious while you take your new wardrobe out for a spin.
Autumn is secretly the best season for getting dressed up. When the evenings turn darker and moodier, rich fabrics like sequin and lace suddenly make complete sense. You have full permission to get glam and wear as many sparkles as you want – and it’s not so cold that your puffer coat will ruin the outfit, either.
The Coast Long Sleeve Sequin Lace Maxi Dress in Chocolate is exactly the kind of dress that earns its place in your wardrobe from the last of the late-summer weddings to the wintry cocktail parties to come. Without mentioning the ‘C’ word too early, festive party invites have a habit of arriving earlier than anyone expects, so getting ahead never hurts.
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to wear the colour of the season, the Coast Stretch Mesh Corset Maxi Dress in Burgundy is the one. And to finish the look, the Coast Jasmin Satin Slingback Court Shoe in Berry is the kind of heel that gives you confidence to walk into any room.
Pictured: Dorothy Perkins Wide Fit Faux Leather Bonnie Buckle Biker Boots in Chocolate, UGG Classic Micro Calf Hair Boot and Oasis Lilian Faux Suede Soft Point Medium Heel Knee Boots.
Boots, boots, boots. Sipping a pumpkin spice latte, stepping on a satisfying crunchy leaf and pulling on a great pair of boots for the first time in months – these are the true joys of autumn. And this season, you don’t have to go down the traditional route of ankle boots if that’s not your thing.
Short and furry, long and sleek, chunky biker or an elegant knee-high? Whatever speaks to you most is the right answer. Boots earn their place as autumn’s most important purchase every year for one simple reason: they carry a whole outfit.
It might sound complicated, but the cape sleeve is easier to wear than it looks. The draped, flowing shape adds instant elegance to an outfit whilst providing a bit of warmth for autumn.
The River Island Brown Check Collared Short Cape is a great outerwear option – throw it over a simple outfit, and you’re done. For something more dressed-up, the Wallis Cape Sleeveless Jumpsuit in Navy is a sleek take on the silhouette that works well for an autumn event or dinner out. And the Wallis Petite Floral Cape Detail Pencil Dress in Wine brings a touch of romance to the shape, with its wine colourway sitting beautifully in this season’s palette.
Before you buy anything new, it’s worth having a proper sort through what you already own. Pull out last year’s autumn pieces, try things on and be honest with yourself about what you’ll actually reach for. Anything that you no longer want, you could sell on Vinted, Depop or eBay – it’s a brilliant way to clear some space in your wardrobe and earn a bit of money to replace old items.
If you do want to shop, there are a few ways to make your money go further. Every brand we’ve mentioned so far – Oasis, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, MissPap, UGG, River Island, PrettyLittleThing, Coast, Adidas, Nike, JD Sports and Debenhams – has a discount available to Blue Light Card members.
Check out fashion discounts, so your autumn wardrobe refresh is easier on the wallet. Happy shopping.
The biggest fashion trends this autumn include colours like burgundy and chocolate brown, classic prints like checks and houndstooth, leopard print worn as a neutral, puffball silhouettes and relaxed wide-leg shapes. Whatever your style, you’ll find an autumn trend worth trying.
Burgundy and chocolate brown are the standout colours for autumn 2026, working across everything from dresses and coats to shoes and accessories.
Wide-leg trousers with a fitted top and a neutral suede trainer is one of the easiest autumn casual outfits going right now. Or lean into the ‘puffball’ silhouette with a loose structure on top and slimmer trousers to pair.
Blue Light Card members can access discounts at a huge range of fashion retailers. Head to the fashion and clothing discounts page to see all the latest offers and start saving on your autumn wardrobe today.
