The Weekend Read - Our AW26/27 Shopping Radar: What to Look Out For This Autumn

Judi Prue | Read in 8 minutes

Hello!

There is something rather lovely about the changing of the seasons in the shops. One minute you're surrounded by linen, sandals and summer dresses and the next, almost overnight, the rails seem to have filled up with knitwear, boots and coats. This is where we start noticing the differences: New colours, different shapes of jackets, new styles of shoes, and fabrics we haven't seen for a while. And we see them repeated in different shops, spotting the same things everywhere. That’s the fun of a new season.

As we start to look at Autumn/Winter 2026/27, we see there is plenty coming our way. We've been looking at the new House of Colour seasonal style guide, and there is a lot to get excited about. Rather than bombard you with fashion terminology or give you a list of trend names that you'll have forgotten by Tuesday, we thought we'd turn this into your AW26/27 Shopping Radar. In other words, what should you start looking out for when you're shopping this autumn?

And, more importantly, what might make you stop and think, “Ooh, I like that…” Because that's really all a trend needs to do, it doesn't have to end up in your wardrobe.

First Stop: Colour

If there is one thing you can be sure of this season, it's that colour is not going to be boring. As usually seen at this time of year, there are some deliciously rich, earthy shades making their way into the shops, with plenty of deeper colours that feel right at home as the days get shorter. But that's only part of the story.

The AW26/27 colour palette is much broader than a traditional autumn/winter selection. There are warm earthy shades, fiery reds, beautiful purples, fresh greens, golden yellows and a whole spectrum of blues, alongside some cooler, clearer and more vibrant versions of these colour families.

Don't assume that just because it's autumn, you should automatically be reaching for brown, rust and mustard. Equally, don't put away your brighter colours just because the nights are drawing in. You may spot a fabulous purple that makes you stop in your tracks or a green that feels wonderfully fresh. There are blues that are anything but wintry and various shades of red across all seasons.

The trick is to notice the colour family rather than simply the fashion name. Once you know which versions of these colours work beautifully for you, a new season becomes much more exciting. You can walk into a shop and find your shade, rather than wonder whether you're supposed to wear whatever colour happens to be having a moment.

The Weekend Read - Our AW26/27 Shopping Radar: What to Look Out For This Autumn

The Return of Shape

For the last few seasons, we've become very comfortable with oversized, relaxed and rather forgiving clothing, which there is still plenty of around. But AW26/27 is also bringing back more structure. Expect to see stronger shoulders, more defined jackets, structured blazers and coats with a little more shape. Clothes are looking more considered and, in some cases, almost architectural.

This doesn't mean we're all going to be wearing boardroom suits and marching around looking a bit stiff. Far from it. The interesting part is the mix:

A structured jacket with jeans.
A beautifully shaped coat over something soft and relaxed.
A strong shoulder balanced with a flowing skirt.

It's about creating a silhouette rather than simply putting on something big and hoping for the best. If you've been living in oversized everything for the last few years, you may find this a refreshing change. Or you may decide your oversized jumper is absolutely staying put. Both are perfectly acceptable.

Soft, Pretty and a Little Bit Romantic

There is another side to the new season that is much softer. We're going to see lace, delicate fabrics, pretty blouses, florals, bows, embellishment and feminine details appearing in the shops. Thankfully though, this isn't about looking as though you've stepped straight out of a historical costume drama, it's how these romantic pieces are being styled. Something delicate might be paired with denim, a pretty blouse might sit underneath a more structured jacket, or a feminine dress could be given a completely different feel with boots and a chunky coat.

It's this contrast that makes the look feel modern, and it gives us another great reminder that style isn't about putting every item into one neat box. Sometimes the most interesting outfits are created when things don't look as though they were supposed to go together.

It's All in the Feel

If you enjoy clothes because they feel good as much as they look good, you're in luck. As we talked about last week, texture is going to be a big part of AW26/27. We're talking tactile knits, boucle, velvet, leather, satin and beautifully textured fabrics.

There are also plenty of traditional autumn favourites making an appearance, including tartan, checks, florals and animal prints. This means that even a relatively simple outfit can suddenly become much more interesting:

A plain pair of trousers with a fabulous textured jumper.
A simple dress with a beautiful jacket.
A classic coat with a patterned scarf.

Sometimes it's the texture or print, rather than the actual shape of the garment, that makes something feel new.

And Don't Forget Your Accessories

If you're not ready to embrace a completely different silhouette or cover yourself in purple, this could be where AW26/27 becomes particularly useful.

Knee-high and over-the-knee boots, interesting bags and more sculptural jewellery are all part of the new-season picture.

Accessories are one of the easiest ways to experiment. You might not want a bright green coat, but a green bag can be a less daunting way to introduce a new colour. You might not fancy a dramatic new trouser shape, but a fabulous pair of boots can put a spring in your step. This is where trends can be genuinely useful as inspiration rather than instruction.

Where To Start For The New Season

You certainly don't need to rush out and buy an entirely new wardrobe because autumn has arrived. Instead, just start noticing what is on offer. Notice the colours appearing in the shop windows and online homepages, notice which shapes seem to be replacing the ones we've become accustomed to, and notice the fabrics and prints.

And most importantly, notice what you are naturally drawn towards. You may think a trend is what everyone else is wearing, but actually, it's about what you can take from what's new and make work for you. You know your colours, your style, your personality and your lifestyle. And you know what's in your wardrobe that you already own.

That's why we love looking at the new season through a House of Colour lens. The seasonal guide gives us a fascinating picture of what's coming, from rich and vibrant colour combinations to stronger silhouettes, romantic details, heritage-inspired pieces, tactile fabrics and statement accessories.

So for now, consider this your shopping radar. You don't need to buy anything, you don't need to change anything, just keep your eyes open. When you start seeing rich browns, beautiful reds, strong blues and greens, structured jackets, gorgeous textures, romantic details and boots getting taller and taller, you'll know exactly what you're looking at.

In the next few weeks, we'll be announcing our AW26/27 seasonal style events, both online and in person. We'll be looking much more closely at the new colours and styles, how they work with different Clothing Personalities and, most importantly, how to interpret the new season without losing sight of who you are.

Final Thoughts

As AW26/27 starts to make its way into our wardrobes, don't feel that you need to jump on every new colour, shape or style that appears. Think of the new season as a source of inspiration rather than a shopping list. Keep your eyes open, notice what catches your attention and, before you buy, ask yourself the most important question of all: “Will this work for me?” Because the best way to embrace a new season isn't to become someone else, it's to discover new ways of looking like the very best version of yourself.

So until next weekend...have a wonderful week.

Best wishes,

Judi & Jenny xx

Next week in The Weekend Read, we'll be going on 'The Great British Trousers Hunt'.

Click Here For Our AW26 Inspiration