So what happened to the ‘heatwave’ we were predicted then, Met Office?! Because all I can see right now is clouds, and I’m totally cool with that. Even at 1pm today, the shadows seemed extra long and the sun looked lower in the sky than I’m used to. I’m wearing socks this evening because it’s a bit chilly. In August!

One thing I’m very pleased to see is the autumn/winter ranges creeping into the shops. I love dressing for the colder seasons – boots, chunky knits and coats forever and always. I’ve written a fair bit about how you can bring more hygge into your home, but I like to think of ‘hygge dressing’ as a way to take that cosiness with you all day. Last year my pal Jake from menswear and music blog Overdiluted showed us how men can get cosy in autumn and winter, so this time we’re going to be looking at womenswear. Here are a few of my ideas, but feel free to let me know in the comments if you have any cosy autumnal staples…

Tartan everything

Oh god, I love tartan, plaid, checks… whatever you call it, that’s what I want on my body. I’m a particular fan of the autumnal classic, the tartan skirt. I love that whole 90s Clueless vibe, and I have checked skirts in so many different colours. I also have shirts, dresses, scarves… you name it, I have it in tartan. It’s so versatile and works in the office, at the pub and on a rural ramble. It tends to be a pretty warm, hardy fabric, so is ideal as we slip into the months where we crave warmth and cosiness.

A staple shirt

As an exceptionally hot-blooded gal, I can’t bear the thought of wearing a shirt in the summer. But as soon as autumn hits, the long sleeves are back out. I recently discovered that Hawes & Curtis does an amazing range of shirts for women, and I’m going to be wearing this cream pussybow blouse all autumn. The satin is nice and light, so it’ll be great for days when the weather can’t make up its mind (pretty much every day in the UK). The colour means it will layer well under cardigans and jumpers, and I’ve been wearing mine with pinafore dresses for a smart 60s vibe.

Cosy socks

I have literally an entire drawer stuffed full of novelty socks. I have cupcakes, bunnies, reindeer, frogs, penguins… it’s getting out of hand to be honest. But in a chilly snap, only thick woolly socks will do (isn’t that right Jake?). Or, on days when I’m braving a dress, you can’t beat thermal tights. I’m actually really impressed with Monki’s selection this year – extra points for the novelty range and even more points because it’s a Scandi brand. It’s also very affordable, so great if you’re looking to restock your sock drawer.

Snug jumpers

It goes without saying that any hygge wardrobe needs to be well stocked with cosy jumpers. A coat is often too much but a top isn’t quite enough. I like to go for warm neutrals, because they’re easy to wear with anything (cream, camel, beige, brown, bronze, blush pinks) and look super cosy on an autumn day. If you have the skintone for it, ochre and burnt orange and rusty brown make for a stunning nod to the turning trees.

A transition jacket

You can guarantee I’ll be the one throwing a strop on a bus in October because it’s hot and stuffy and I’ve way overdressed, so a transition jacket is VITAL if you want to stay cosy without roasting in a season where both belated heatwaves and early snow coexist. I like something lightweight and waterproof, and a hood is never a bad idea. For added hygge, why not look out for faux fur trims? I always think of Barbour as a great brand for Britain’s answer to hygge – warm, unfussy and cosy. And look at the AW16 collection… it’s only bloody tartan! I picked up a lightweight navy quilted jacket in their sale a few years ago and I’ve never looked back. I can’t wait to crack it out ready for conker collecting…

What are your cosy autumnal staples?

PR sample provided by Hawes & Curtis; however all thoughts my own.