Autumn Most Worn Style Staples (2025)

You’d think after living in Sydney for over a decade, I’d have come to expect autumn’s late arrival. Yet every year, it always seems to catch me off guard. You go from preemptively trying to inject transitional season layers into an outfit, to needing that third piece for every look. It’s the dramatic drop in temperature that always has me questioning the way I’m getting dressed. As in, you’ve gotten into the groove of styling for the season you’re in, but all of a sudden the weather calls for more (or fewer) layers and suddenly you feel like you’re doing it wrong.

It can be humbling in the moment to be reminded that styling is a muscle. The more you flex it, the stronger it gets. Equally, the more you engage in wardrobe playtime, the faster that muscle memory returns as your styling instincts get sharper. 

For the first time in a long time, I was surprised to see what popped up in my most worn. A combination of the delayed start to the season, and my focus on what I wore over the last few weeks creating a false narrative for what I thought I’d worn on repeat. And it’s always interesting when items you feel “meh” about turn out to be workhorses. But more on that later…

Diving right in, this is the edit of what I actually wore on repeat over autumn, plus mini reviews for each piece (as we love to know how things are holding up!). Let’s enter the group chat.

MOST WORN SWEATER

The Row Ophelia Sweater

Starting with the one I imagine most of you were curious about… my most worn knit of the season. The high price tag was precisely why I was so determined to wear it constantly as soon as the weather permitted. My feelings toward this sweater are… complicated. Despite giving myself permission to splurge, I still feel like I have some lingering guilt over spending so much on an oversized knit. Maybe it’s just human nature, but I sometimes wonder if the price tag subtly nudged me into liking it more than I otherwise might have.

The COS one is a beautiful alternative; it’s 100% cashmere (rather than a wool/cashmere blend), so has a softer more fluid drape when worn. That said, it pilled aggressively (yes, I had to know for sure), and honestly, I expected better from a $450 sweater.

The Row’s Ophelia Sweater held up slightly better. Pilling didn’t start until about the fifth wear, and I’ve been using a sweater rake to help keep it in check. If you’re considering it, be prepared for some maintenance.

In terms of luxury, I would liken it to my old Celine 100% cashmere mock neck knit with the oversized sleeves. A slightly pushed design, beautiful materials, and a real heft to the fabric. That said, I’d never encourage anyone to buy it unless your heart is deadset. I think this one from Tuckernuck is quite possibly the best affordable alternative I’m come across so sharing here once again for those still on the lookout.

Also worth highlighting my second most worn knit; this cashmere cardigan from the UNIQLO : C collaboration. Possibly the most luxurious-feeling piece I’ve ever bought from UNIQLO. The fabric is featherlight, very soft, and while it starts to pill around the fifth wear, it’s easily sorted once again with a sweater rake.

And if you haven’t read it yet, this post compares seven sweaters (including The Row ophelia), and this post shares more affordable alternatives which give the same vibe.

MOST WORN TOP

Henne black top (worn above – you can see the subtle ruching!)

After spending the past few years of reaching for relaxed silhouettes, this was a welcome shift. The fitted shape feels fresh again, especially paired with tailored trousers for that slim vs big balance. The ruching detail is simple but clever; one of those elements that elevates the whole look without asking for attention. I’ve washed it countless times since buying it last year, and it’s held up beautifully. It also comes in a white long sleeve version, if you’re tempted. Perfect under a blazer, or layered casually with a cardigan thrown over top.

MOST WORN PANTS

Deiji Studios black ease pants

This might be the clearest sign yet that I’m in the thick of my hybrid-dressing era. Comfort, always. And these trousers deliver. A structured cotton poplin with an elastic waistband and relaxed silhouette. Easy for slow days at home, but still elevated enough to pair with a heel and a nicer top (like this one, also from Deiji). A black trouser remains in my mind, the most versatile wardrobe hero there is. It carries across seasons and moods, taking cues from whatever you pair it with. I’d recommend these from Deiji in a heartbeat (in case you were wondering – they wash and wear SO well!). If you’re petite and want something more tailored, I really rate these from Facade Pattern. Or, if you’re after a similar cut with a slightly different vibe, this style of pant from DISSH was a close second in my rotation. A reminder that we often fall into seasonal uniforms!

MOST WORN DENIM

Sportscraft Bec jeans & Re/Done jeans

Tied for most worn, it’s between the Bec jean from Sportscraft, and these high rise straight jeans from Re/Done. Which, reflecting on it now, I can see how they both do something similar for my outfits. The Re/Done ones are ever so slightly more relaxed, but they’re both high rise and straight leg, cut to the ankle. 100% cotton so no stretch. The difference for me is in how shades of denim tend to make you feel. I find a dark rinse sends a more elevated refined signal, while a light or mid-blue has a sense of casual ease. Both are nice, but I do just have to call out how underrated the Sportscraft pair is – the price point is incredible (and I have to admit, I own three pairs!).

MOST WORN JACKET

Whistles leather jacket

Boy was this one was a splurge, and yes, I was influenced. But it absolutely sates my desire to add texture to an outfit. With all the tailored trousers and fitted tops I’ve been wearing lately, this gives a touch of shine while also shifting the vibe of the silhouette. My only quibble? The sleeve length. I’m 172cm with decently long arms and still find them a bit too long. The leather’s structured enough that scrunching the sleeves up doesn’t really work (or hold). The structured nature of the leather I can deal with, especially as over time, this will soften up nicely to have a bit more of a lived in feel – though hard to say at this point how that’ll impact the sleeves.

Honourable mention goes to my Everlane rain jacket, which was technically my most worn, but more in a functional than stylistic capacity.

MOST WORN DRESS

Faithfull the Brand mini dress

This linen mini was an easy win on days I wanted to feel put-together without much thought. The linen is lined (woo-hoo), and there’s a little tie at the back that cinches you in beautifully. It’s short, but not too short. Meets my criteria for being comfortable enough to wear around the kids even when crouching, bending, or picking up the hundredth thing off the floor. Also comes in a maxi length (which I have and can vouch for, too!).

MOST WORN BAG

Dragon Diffusion Santa Croce woven bag

My most worn bags of autumn was like a trophy line up of the ones that I get the most joy from using. The DD Santa Croce coming in first place, my Madewell bucket tote in second place, and this Loewe dupe from Quincecoming in third.

The Dragon Diffusion bag is a fairly new addition to my rotation; a purchase I’d mulled over for so long, and at one point considered buying one of the dupes from Etsy (I’ve heard they’re very nice!). I ended up getting lucky during a flash sale which was what triggered the purchase for me in the end. The capacity is generous. Enough to easily fit two Camelbak kids water bottles, wipes, nappies, wallet, phone, sunglasses case and some light snacks. The drop on the strap fits comfortably over the shoulder. And I like that it reads as a summer bag, but isn’t as obvious as something in straw or raffia. Basically, it feels a little more versatile in my wardrobe, given Sydney’s climate tends to be a bit more mild. If I were to lose it to a fire, I would immediately repurchase, that’s how much I enjoy using it. But. I noticed after the first time I wore it, that there was a light milky patch running along the bottom of the bag – I can’t tell if this is from rubbing against my clothing as it hasn’t worsened, or if it was like that when I got it as truth be told, I was too excited to wear it that I didn’t take the time to inspect it as thoroughly as I usually would. If you own this bag or similar from the brand, please do share your experiences in the comments! My attitude though, is that you should be just as happy wearing the item when it’s all lived in, as the day you buy it so if this is what wear and tear will end up resulting in, that’s no dealbreaker for me.

MOST WORN SHOES

Aeyde Betty flats (virtually fresh out of the box, above)

Ironic, given I didn’t give these shoes the best review when I reflected on this purchase in a recent letter. And still, it does niggle me how the toe has worn; a whole heap of creases which glare at me every time I put them on. But… it’s almost to be expected with a flat pointed (or semi-pointed) toe shoe like this. All the other qualities of them are what have drawn me to Aeyde shoes in general. Soft supple leather which accommodates wide feet, and wears well. I think if I had my time over, I would instead opt for the Judi pump in red suede. The idea being that these would give me a similar red hit to my outfits, just a little punchier (as I can attest to the fact that these don’t crease like the Betty’s, thanks to the suede!). Also, burgundy hue is excellent. It acts as a great neutral so it’s no wonder they were an easy throw on and go for me.

What’s funny is that I half expected these boots from St. Agni to be up there as my most worn, as at least for the month of May, they were tracking that way. Haven’t gotten a single blister from them, and they’re a shoe I’ll happily keep on my feet hours longer than I need to. They’re currently on sale and truly excellent: no blisters, super comfy, wide-foot approved.