A season for style: an irresistible coat, a sheer shirt and a luxe, affordable ring

October is when getting dressed starts to get interesting again. It is not yet cold enough for the full swaddling, but there is bandwidth for layers, texture, colour, a little drama. This month’s edit has all of the above. There is an irresistible coat and a bag that is roomy but still feels neat. Also, stirrup leggings!

Elsewhere, I’ve finally located the right sheer shirt for anyone ready to dip a toe into transparency and a lovely ring that looks much more special than its price. And because October is also the month when staying in starts to sound as appealing as going out, there are candles for the kitchen table. A sensible autumn shopping list, but with a little soul.

A great sheer shirt and it’s on sale!

Arket silk organza shirt
£81 at Arket
Sheer clothes aren’t just for red-carpet exhibitionists any more. Sheer layers are happening in real life. I think they work right now because they stop oversized, untucked outfits from drowning you. A sheer shirt is a good place to start: you can wear it over a tank top during the day, but it will also look dead chic and modern for evening over a lace bra if you are feeling slightly racy. I found this organza one in Arket, and I love the deep grey shade.

Stirrup leggings: discuss

Vuori stirrup leggings
£120 at Vuori
I saw another fashion editor at Heathrow during the recent month of catwalk shows, wearing stirrup leggings and ballet pumps and a crew-neck sweater, and I believe I have finally found my version of what the youngsters call an Airport Fit. Yes, stirrup leggings are kind of silly, but that’s sort of the point – they turn leggings (boring) into a look. And they tie the leggings to your shoe, visually, I mean, so the silhouette is more elegant. This won’t be for everyone, but, you know, putting it out there. These are mine: I am a big fan of Vuori; the fabrics are so comfortable yet hold their shape.

My first new-season crush

Rixo Micah embroidered jacket
£395 at Rico
I am not going to pretend this is the most practical coat in the world, and you’ll have to wait for it because it’s on preorder for delivery in December. But look at it! Absolutely delicious. You probably already know Rixo for its brilliant dresses – it has a capsule collaboration coming to John Lewis later this month; I have seen it, and I think you will love it – and the coats are great too. With vintage-style embroidery, kimono-width sleeves and deep faux fur trim, you can wear this over a party dress to make a dramatic entrance, but it will also look brilliant over a T-shirt and jeans.

Put a ring on it

Carrie Elizabeth vintage crest ring
£59.50 at Carrie Elizabeth
Carrie Elizabeth jewellery has been around for a decade and is gaining traction – it is in Liberty for the first time this season – because in a market that often feels divided into cheap trend-led baubles and eye-wateringly expensive fine jewellery, it offers affordable pieces that feel personal and special. This 14-carat gold vermeil ring is beautifully detailed – it makes you want to look closer, which I love – with an elegant, slim band.

It is candle season

Søstrene Grene bi-colour candles, set of two
£4.12 at Søstrene Grene
Scented candles get all the love these days, but I love an old-fashioned taper candle as a cheap and cheering way to brighten up the kitchen table. The shell pink and electric blue colour combination of these is giving Roksanda energy.

What’s hot – and what’s most definitely not – this week

Going up

2008 | Christopher Kane is back. Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) and Lily van der Woodsen (Kelly Rutherford) are hanging out. And we’re all living in fear of another financial crisis. As Elle points out, 2026 is giving 2008 energy.

Belly buttons | Navel gazing is very much in, from Charli xcx and Tyla’s stomach-focused looks at the VMA’s to the recent Prada catwalk show that paired low-waisted skirts with bras.

Slop fights | A rise in “grandmAIslop” – AI photo books and fake family photos created by boomers – is causing tension in families. Time to start thinking about that festive seating plan.

Going down

Embossed cards | LVMH prize winner Julie Kegels sent Gala apples embossed with details of her first Paris fashion week show to invitees, while Jonathan Anderson used wénwán walnuts. We’ll take the bait.

Caviar | Viral suggestions for pairing it with chicken nuggets has led to the salted roe experiencing “an identity crisis” – and plunging prices. See you down the discount aisle.

Time keeping | Rihanna is causing chaos to the fashion week schedule. The famously tardy star has been 63 minutes late to the Matières Fécales show and 45 minutes to Dior. So not as bad as when she turned up 90 minutes late to the 2023 Meta Gala.