Autumnal Transitional Styling with M&S Autograph

That inbetween stretch of the year, cool at 8am, warm by lunch, breezy again at dusk, calls for clothes that flex without fuss. This M&S Autograph look does exactly that: refined, easy to wear, and built from textures that feel right the moment leaves start to turn.

The palette: coffee and cream

Autumn dressing is as much about colour as it is about layers. A deep chocolate brown paired with off-white (or ecru) is a brilliant alternative to the usual navy and blue denim. It looks smart without being formal and instantly signals the season. Dark upper, light lower, simple, flattering, and it works from Monday meetings to Saturday plans.

The hero layer: suede trucker

The Autograph suede trucker jacket is the anchor here. A trucker hits at the hip, giving structure without the stiffness of a blazer. Suede is the quintessential autumn fabric: soft, warm to the touch, and it takes on a lovely depth in lower light. Because it’s unstructured, you can throw it over a tee on milder days or a knit when the air turns crisp.

Fit notes

• Aim for a trim-but-easy silhouette, room to layer a jumper underneath, but no billowing at the back.

• The hem should sit just at the hip; this balances straighter trousers and loafers nicely.

• Before the first wear, give suede a light protective spray and brush with a suede block to keep the nap fresh.

The mid layer: textured knit

Under the jacket is a cocoa-toned crew neck from Autograph with a subtle weave. That texture is doing more than you think: it adds visual interest, traps a bit of warmth, and reads “autumn” even if the fabric weight is still light. A tonal jumper in the same colour family as your jacket makes the outfit look intentional rather than thrown together.

How to use it through the season

• Early autumn: wear it solo with the sleeves pushed up.

• Mid autumn: add a cotton tee beneath for a touch of insulation.

• Late autumn: switch to a fine merino roll neck in a similar tone for more warmth without bulk.

The trousers: off-white denim

Ecru jeans are criminally underrated once summer ends. Against dark brown, they look crisp and elegant, and the heavier twill feels right for cooler days. A straight or gently tapered cut (nothing skinny) keeps the line modern and makes room for chunkier socks later.

Styling cues

• Keep the break minimal, just kissing the top of the loafer. A single roll works if you prefer a cropped look.

• If you’re office-bound, swap the denim for cream flannel trousers and the mood becomes quietly luxurious.

The shoes & carry: leather that means business

Polished penny loafers tie the whole thing together. They’re smarter than trainers, less “boardroom” than Oxfords, and ideal for streets that may be damp but not drenched. If your commute involves a lot of pavement pounding, look for a rubber sole; it preserves the elegance while giving you grip.

A structured leather brief from Autograph keeps the silhouette sharp. It’s big enough for a laptop and bits without shouting, and the darker tone links back to the jacket and knit so the outfit reads as one.

Make it weather-proof

British autumn has a sense of humour, so plan a couple of quick swaps:

• Rain on the radar? Trade suede for a water-repellent overshirt or a wool mac and stash the suede for dry days.

• Chillier mornings? Add a lightweight scarf in camel or olive, colour, texture, and function in one move.

• Slippery leaves? Switch loafers for a chocolate leather Chelsea boot.

Small details that elevate

• Belt: keep it dark brown to match your shoes and bag, little things make outfits look considered.

• Sunglasses: low autumn sun is no joke; tortoiseshell frames work brilliantly with this palette.

• Cuffs: show a hint of knit at the wrist to break up the jacket sleeve and add depth.

Where it works

School run, morning coffee, a client catch-up, dinner somewhere decent, this look straddles all of it. The Autograph pieces are designed to be mixed and matched, so you’ll get mileage beyond the exact outfit: the suede trucker over a white tee and navy chinos, the textured knit with charcoal flannel, the ecru denim with a navy pea coat. It’s the sort of modular wardrobe that earns its keep.