Secondhand September: How to nail autumn's biggest trends with pieces from your existing wardrobe

As we tread with trepidation into a new season, Olivia Petter looks at the autumn/winter trends you can follow with items you already own

(AFP via Getty Images)

It's a strange time to be talking about fashion. But as the UK slowly adapts to this post-lockdown-but-not quite post-pandemic world, it is also entering a new season, which means new sartorial codes await.

That's not to say you should start hitting the shops. In fact, you should consider avoiding them altogether. Not just because it will make it easier to maintain social distancing, but because it's Secondhand September.

The annual Oxfam-led campaign urges shoppers to take a 30-day pledge to only buy second-hand items from places like charity shops, auction sites and online marketplaces for the entire month of September.

The idea is that by abstaining from any new purchases for one month, we can contribute to combatting the disastrous environmental impacts of fast fashion, and change the mindset of our need for new clothing, which sees a rapid turnover that means each year we consume approximately 80 billion pieces of clothing, much of which will inevitably wind up in landfill.

Despite all of this, the past few months have not been easy. So it's only natural to want to indulge in a little bit of retail therapy as a new season of tights, roll-necks, and cosy knits awaits.

The good news is that many of this season's trends are timeless, which means you probably already own a significant amount of clothing to match them. You just need to find new ways to wear them.

Read on for our guide to the fashion trends for autumn/winter 2020 that you can follow without having to invest in anything new.

Bother boots 

(Getty Images/Matches Fashion) Valentino was packed with chunky boots on its autumn/winter 2020 catwalk (both Valentino)

Boots should make themselves known this winter. We’re not talking about cutesy pointed ones with kitten heels - no, prim is over. This season, it’s all about striding into a room and making yourself known through the stomp of your shoe.

Not only will this pack a fashion punch, but it will also alert people to your presence so that they can immediately get within one to two metres away. Look to last season’s Valentino runway for inspiration, or better yet, venture over to Prada and see their famous Chelsea boots.

These are masculine boots with thick soles, high platforms, and rounded toes. Offset the grunge aesthetic by wearing them with floral tea dresses or, better yet, go full Villannelle in Killing Eve and opt for a frothy tulle dress and boot combo.

Sassy supersized collars

(Getty Images/Matches Fashion) MiuMiu featured plenty of oversized collars on its runway (left) Ganni dress (right)

Collars are making a comeback for autumn. Maybe you've seen them on your favourite Instagrammers or perhaps you marvelled at Miu Miu's collars that sat perched on top of patterned coats and shirts at its autumn/winter 2020 show.

These oversized, prairie collars take their cues from the Victorian era and come complete with ruffles and pleats.

They work well on simple shirts but make a real statement on printed garments, like this leopard print smock dress from Ganni.

If you manage to find a classic white shirt with a blossoming collar, wear it underneath a printed jumper and a plaid mini skirt for a contemporary Clueless look.

Boss woman blazers 

(Getty Images/Matches Fashion) Boss by Hugo Boss was filled with oversized blazers this season (left) Isabel Marant blazer (right)

These are blazers that mean business. There are a few rules when it comes to wearing an oversized blazer this season. First off, make sure it's double-breasted - this is very Working Girl.

Secondly, don't wear it in the way that it's expected to be worn i.e. with a matching skirt or trousers. Tailoring is a different trend entirely.

For this to work, you want to wear your oversized blazer over a printed T-shirt (band T-shirts are ideal) and a denim mini skirt. Slip into some thick 60 denier tights and you've got yourself a strong but laid-back look that would work just as well in the office as it would in the pub after work.

Also, embrace shoulder pads. They will help create that boss lady silhouette we all want and need.

Absolutely fabulous cardigans 

(Getty Images/Matches Fashion) House of Sunny (left) Christopher Kane (right)

There's something charming about cardigans this season. Perhaps it's because they come with sparkling embellishments and in vibrant hues, like at Christopher Kane, or maybe it's because they're coming armed with faux fur trims (like at House of Sunny as above) that channel a modern Absolutely Fabulous aesthetic.

If you don't already have one of these in your cupboard, fear not. It's very easy to upgrade a cardigan yourself. Invest in some fur cuffs or why not replace the buttons with something a little jazzier?

Or you could take your cues from Taylor Swift's viral music video for her track, "Cardigan", in which she folds herself into a vintage cricket jumper - it's very easy to find one of these in a charity shop.

Wear yours with a pair of brightly coloured cigarette trousers and definitely do not wear a jacket over your cardigan. Instead, button your cardi all the way up and wear it as your jacket, you can always wear a long-sleeved top underneath to stay warm.

Checkmate prints 

(Getty Images/Matches Fashion) New York Fashion Week street style (left) Red Valentino dress (right)

Now that summer is over, we can finally start wearing our checked clothes again.

We saw checks across the street style set in New York last season, who wore theirs in unlikely mustard shades. 

The print simply doesn't work in summer, but come autumn, it's a joy to dig out our houndstooth treasures. Perhaps your checks are splashed across suits, smock dresses or shirts.

Whichever they may be, wear your checked clothing with something simple to allow the print to shine. A white T-shirt under a checked suit works a treat, as does a long-sleeved black rollneck underneath a checked smock.