You’ve probably heard of celebrity stylist Angie Smith from her work in the past with household names like Holly Willoughby, Eva Mendes, Davina McCall and Rochelle Humes. Smith has a gift for making her clients look effortlessly chic, usually on an affordable budget. She’s an advocate for shopping the high street—often mixing high and low pieces in her styling and her own wardrobe—and her talent for uncovering the most expensive-looking finds is unrivalled. So I’m sure you’ll be pleased to hear she’s our new Who What Wear UK columnist, here to share with you her expert shopping picks for the season ahead while sharing some of her styling wisdom along the way. All I’ll say is, ready your wallets. Keep scrolling to see her October autumn picks below…
I’ve been a stylist and brand consultant for over 20 years now, and I’m a strong believer in buying less and wearing more. What I’ve found from my experience re-working clients’ wardrobes is that after editing them down to a smaller capsule, it becomes a lot easier to pull outfits together because you can actually see what’s in there.
When shopping for new pieces, it’s important to be practical and think of all the outfits you could wear them with in your existing wardrobe. But most importantly, you have to really love new pieces to justify adding them into your rotation. When you wear them, they have to make you feel good—really good. They have to be comfortable on your body; I’m a strong believer in buying the size that feels and looks the best on you—in some shops that might be a 12, in others an 18—it really does not matter. The pieces that I include in my monthly edits here will be ones that can be easily styled up in multiple ways, and will still be relevant years from now. We’re talking true wardrobe classics, and every month I’ll be showing you where to find them.
So, let’s kick things off with October—the month where your wardrobe starts to get a bit more cosy. The edges are softer, the tones warmer and textures like cord, fine cashmere and soft flannel can be introduced for those colder days. Knowing the UK’s unpredictable weather, though, layering up is key in case a rogue warmer day takes you by surprise.
If you buy only three things for your wardrobe this month make them a great white T-shirt with a crew neck that can peek out from under any of the below pieces, adding an instant relaxed coolness to your look. Having lighter shades near your face is also hugely flattering! Second? A beautiful plaid shirt in a palette that really works with your colouring will ensure more than a few compliments head your way. And third, one of the most worn pieces in my wardrobe during transitional months like this is an over-sized alpaca or cashmere jumper—especially while it’s still warm enough to wear on its own or with just a light jacket (don’t forget that peek of T-shirt). I wear mine thrown over bike shorts, leggings and clogs or Birkenstocks and chunky socks on off-duty days. Just add a nice bag and you have a very easy yet polished look. Think school drop off, errands-running days, weekend casual, cosy nights in at a friends house… I could go on. Anyway enough chat, here’s the edit.
Track pants have a dedicated shelf in my wardrobe and were my intro to Australian brand The Upside, which I am now completely obsessed with. Check out their Instagram if you need further confirmation of how cool and effortless the clothes are. This is next on my shopping list—the perfect layering piece to give your look instant personality.
There is so much good corduroy around at the moment. These are ridiculously comfortable and the most incredible clotted cream colour—buy them, you will not regret it.
I always think that if you feel like your outfit is wearing you then throw on some trainers, or in colder months biker boots—they will instantly dress your look down a notch and make it feel effortlessly cool.
Is this not the most perfect plaid shirt you ever did see? And if blues and greens are more your match then check out the other colour way.
Just a pair of really good boots. This colour would work well with all those lovely classic autumn tones as well as indigo and black denim. I’m thinking I’d wear them with flares or wide-leg jeans or cords and a turtleneck for a ’70s feel. And I’m really feeling that square toe.
I am such a huge fan of this coat. I tried it on when I was at the press preview recently and it’s cut so well. It definitely feels like it should have a designer price tag attached. I also love how the colours in the check work just as well with smarter pieces as they do dressed down with your weekend wardrobe.
I have a blazer like this in my wardrobe and love how it instantly pulls together a very average jeans and T-shirt look. The tones in it also mean that it goes with nearly every shade of denim, and it’s super flattering on the skin.
My favourite white T-shirt of the moment. It’s perfect! Enough said.
One of the pieces that I wear a lot when it gets colder and I have to go out-out (and need to look like I’ve made an effort) is a column style maxi skirt. Add a white silk shirt, a black bustier or basically any going out top and you have an overall look that has the same silhouette as a dress, but with added style points.
A pop of red is one of this season’s biggest trends, and I love the idea of wearing it subtly by layering a red T-shirt under a crew-neck jumper or sweater so you just get a little flash of it. Keep it feeling modern by mixing it with camel, navy, grey and brown.
Chunky cream jumpers don’t get much better than this one. I love the versatile mock neck design that makes it easy to style in a casual or more pulled-together way. I’ve been wearing mine on repeat with white denim and chunky black boots.
Finding an effortless-looking bag that fits a laptop is hard, trust me. Sézane have nailed it with their camel ‘Gabin’, though. It’s lived in, a beautiful colour and exudes laidback chic.
This wool jacket has SO much style mileage in it. I love how it looks like an oversized blazer but it’s warm! Buy one size up and basically wear over anything and everything. The cool thing about a black blazer or coat, for that matter, is that contrasting and styling it with the unexpected always works. If you’re wearing it with darker tones make sure you play with the textures within your look to give it dimension.
When it’s not quite cold enough for a jacket this is exactly the sort of shirt you want to be layering with. I love the warm tone to this brown. I’ve been wearing mine with both jeans and track pants.
I’m a big fan of a jumper dress. I discovered them whilst I was pregnant and now I always circle back for more. This style would look cool worn over a crew neck T-shirt—a great styling tip if you are busty and want to make a neckline feel a bit more modern.
I’ve worn a St Christopher for over 20 years, and I’m a little bit superstitious now about mine. I love how you can also wear this style back to front to make it look like a simple gold disc if your outfit is more minimal.
Up Next, The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week
