My Autumn Wardrobe With River Island
There’s no denying I love the summer. It’s my favourite season of the year but Autumn comes in a close second. I love the oranges and browns of the leaves as they fall from the trees, dusting the pavements and crunching below my feet. I love the pitter-patter of the rain as I enjoy a cup of hot chocolate under the warmth of my blanket. I enjoy searching for conkers with my kids and lovely walks in the park but most of all I love kitting my wardrobe out with Autumn wear.
I can’t resist stocking up on cosy knits, coats and jeans with a few skirts and dresses thrown in.
I’ve been really lucky in my blogging journey so far to be able to work with brands that I have worn and loved for years. So I was really excited about doing a photoshoot with River Island, kitted out in clothes from the global fashion brand for a post about Autumn wear.
Just to be transparent from the start, I wasn’t paid to write this post. Anything I liked from this shoot, I bought with my hard-earned cash.
The two personal stylists at River Island in Birmingham – Afsheen Malik and Casey Fletcher – helped me pick out items to suit my shape and size, advising me on how to match up items to achieve a comfortable look with the latest trends.
We chose items I would actually wear and that suited my personality. They even gave me tips on how to dress up or down the clothes and how to add that little extra pizazz.
I think the River Island Style Studio provides a great service. I’ve never actually taken advantage of something like this before in any store or with any brand. But what’s not to like about it? It’s free and no one knows the items in store better than the stylists.
I was in good hands with Afsheen and Casey who even got me thinking about some items I would never have walked into store and just picked up.
Cosy knits are my favourite Autumn item. I’m in love with big chunky jumpers and cardigans in all colours. I normally buy everything true to size but Afsheen actually told me to go a couple of sizes up when buying a big jumper just for extra comfort and warmth.
She was right. This brown knit bobble sleeve jumper looked better in a bigger size. It has a high neck and ribbed trim and you can get it in a few colours. You can get this design in a cardigan too if you prefer. I ended up buying the jumper a few days later.
I wore the jumper with ripped skinny jeans, which I ended up going back to buy. I rolled the jeans up at the ankles over my boots rather than tucking them in, as per Afsheen’s advice, just for a bit of edge.
This cream cable knit jumper was super comfy and I loved the way it complemented the jeans and boots. This is actually from River’s petite range and has a crew neck with cuffed trims.
I could easily wear this jumper with literally anything, whether it’s a dress, skirt, trousers or jeans.
Next up is this jumper which really stood out to me because of the vibrant blue colour. I love bright colours and it was the one item in all of those we picked out that wasn’t in neutral shades.
It can be worn in three different ways; off the shoulder, draping off one shoulder or completely pulled up. I wore it in all three ways and went back to buy this a couple of days later.
I’m a stickler for slogan and print T-shirts, which I mostly wear at the weekend. They’re so easy just to chuck on with a pair of jeans or wide leg trousers. This white leopard ‘Luxe’ print T-shirt was so apt for a season which has become identifiable with animal prints.
I wore this in a few different ways. I loved teaming it with these velvet stripe wide leg trousers which were so comfortable I could literally stay in them all day. The material is super soft and they could easily be dressed up or down. They come with a matching halter-neck and although I love co-ordinate sets, I preferred to wear these with the slogan tee.
My trusty white converse finish off this look. I would probably wear the cream cable jumper with this outfit and either tie it around my waist when it gets too warm or throw it over my shoulder.
I also tried out the tee with this black knit varsity cardigan – again these come with matching bottoms if you wish to wear the whole set. I really like the contrast stripe trims and gold tone buttons. This worked well with the jeans and my stone suede boots. Again I kept the jeans rolled up for a more casual vibe.
Finally I tried out this brown check print belted faux fur robe coat.
I wore this in a couple of ways. The first was with the fur attached and the belt tied at the waist at the front. The second way was with the belt undone and tied at the back and finally with the fur detached and the coat fully open, allowing the simple black roll neck jumper to show through.
I wish I could have chosen so many more items but time was limited. There are so many amazing reds in store at the moment and red is a colour I can’t resist for long. There were also so many other coats I would have liked to have worn. I’ve already bought two coats from River this season – a purple boucle and a yellow wool double-breasted coat too.
I think I might be going back for some more chunky knits though before the season is out!
Here are some more photos from the shoot:
Read more in the What I Wore series.
This post was picked as featured post of the week by:
I love that coat! And how fabulous it is to work with River Island! I am a bit jealous!???
Author
Thanks Nancy. It was an amazing opportunity x
I love the sweaters. I have been trying to find some nice sweaters to wear this fall myself. I especially like the teal one! #MMBC
Author
Thanks Michelle. Yes I love their range of jumpers at the moment x
I love the colours at this time of year too. That cream cable knit jumper looks super comfy and cosy! Thank you for sharing with #Blogstravaganza
Author
It’s super comfy. I love it x
these outfits are really lovely and suit you. I particularly like the bright blue jumper and the fur lined coat. Stylist experiences are a really good way of trying clothes you’d never pick up yourself especially if it’s a new colour.
#mixitup
Author
Thank you and I agree – it was great to have their expert opinions x
That coat is just fabulous!! Love it with the fur collar too xx Maria
Author
Thanks Maria. It can be worn in a few different ways and I love that about it x
Ooh I love your boot choices, those are so fun! Summer is definitely my favorite too, but you’re right that fall is really wonderful too.
Author
Thanks Kelsey. Yes I do love ankle boots – pretty much go with everything x
I love the blue knitted jumper. The coat with the fur collar on is also a bother good pick – looks really cosy perfect for this time of year X #stayclassymama
Author
Thank you. Yes it’s so versatile x
I like that off the shoulder look..,.#Stayclassymama
Author
Yes I liked that you can wear the jumper in a few ways x
Love some of those jumpers #BloggerClubUK
Author
Thank you. Very comfy x
Wow that coat is gorgeous! I might have to go to my local store and try it on! Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week.
Author
Yes the coat was so versatile – can be worn in so many ways x
You always look so beautiful! Everything you have picked really suits you. I really love the blue chunky knit jumper! #TriumphantTales
Author
Aw thanks Rachel. Yes such a vibrant blue x
Those chunky sweaters are great, especially the camel one. And I love that plaid coat, beautiful.
x, Julie | This Main Line Life
Author
Yes I particularly loved the camel bobble sweater – so comfortable x
I really love all of the sweaters! I love the jeans and the brown boots too! Great style you have:) #anythinggoes
Author
Thank you – yes the sweaters were the best x
I really love your coat! Must have been fun to work with them #dreamteam
Author
Yes it was a pretty fun shoot. Credit to my husband for clicking all the photos and finding the location x
Looks like River Island have a brilliant collection this season! Love the boots and coat. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
Author
Thank you – yes they have some lovely items in x
Looking fab as ever! I am in love with the coat and the brown bobble jumper. I defo need that!! Thanks for sharing with the #DreamTeam even though you are causing me to spend money lol xx
I do love River Island and you’ve chosen some great pieces – I love the colours
Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime
Author
Thank you. They have a great range at the moment x
Your autumnal love shows loud and clear. So beautiful! Lovely… #stayclassymama xoxo If you want to come over and dress me, feel free! I’ll brew some coffee!
Author
Aw thanks so much Lisa. That’s quite a compliment. And yes – anytime! x
Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
Great selection of pieces! I love the bobble sleeve jumper and the check coat! Emma xxx
Author
Thanks Emma. The jumper is super comfy and so perfect for Autumn x