How to Embrace Autumn Trends on a Budget

Summer is over and, apart from a few spritely September days, it’s time to stow away your summer wardrobe for a good six months at least and introduce a few warmer pieces of apparel to your daily repertoire.

The last 12-18 months have been unlike any other period in recent memory and many of us have been keen to get back to the high street after restrictions eased.

However, there’s a good chance you might not have mountains of cash to blow on a new autumn wardrobe and wonder what you can do on a more limited budget.

With that in mind, let’s talk about what we can expect to see trend-wise these coming months and how to attain those looks without splashing too much cash.

What are autumn 2021’s fashion trends?

There are plenty of emerging trends to talk about for the rest of 2021. We’ve picked out a few you might like the sound of:

• Bold and bright: contrary to the norm, where darker tones tend to dominate autumn/winter catalogues, this year the catwalks have seen “Crayola” and neon brights dominating. A great way to counter the ever-greying British weather, don’t be afraid to show your colours in the coming months.
• Ponchos and capes: if you like your easy-going but standout outerwear, ponchos and capes are finally back in, with many big names featuring them in their autumn offerings.
• Faux fur: never far from the runway over autumn and winter, this year you can expect to add furry boots, scarves and hats to your more traditional fur-adorned coats.

Being fashionable on a budget

It’s important to save and spend responsibly, so you might not have much to splash on high-end autumnal collection pieces, but there are a few ways to stay fashionable without breaking the bank:

• Don’t spend too much on trendy pieces: some trends last longer than others, so don’t spend big money on single-season pieces that will be fleeting in the memory of fashion fans.
• Instead, focus your spending on perennial favourites – the aforementioned faux furs being a good example of a year-on-year A/W staple.
• Hit the sales: sales happen all the time, but the end-of-summer sale is one of the biggest for many retailers. Now could be the time to find bargain pieces for the rest of the year.
• Shop vintage and pre-owned: vintage shops aren’t quite as cheap and cheerful as they used to be, but you can still find a bargain looking second-hand.

Trying to be fashionable on a budget isn’t necessarily the easiest thing to do, but it’s certainly achievable if you look in the right places and spend wisely. With plenty of trends to choose from this autumn, you’re bound to find a style you like – at a price you like even more.