Following on from my Instagram takeover last month, the lovely folks at Laura Ashley tasked me with styling this seasonally appropriate dress for their blog. Autumn is a season for cosy comforts: edible, homely and sartorial. So without further ado, here’s my ode to corduroy…
Autumn style for me starts with texture and colour. Rowell’s description of being swaddled in corduroy certainly sounds appealing as the days get darker and colder. Is there anything more comforting at this time of year than cosy seasonal fabrics? Corduroy, velvet, knitwear and faux fur not only provide warmth but are full of cosy memories for me. Corduroy in particular has an extra layer of meaning: the fabric was a key part of many handmade childhood ensembles so has an intrinsic nostalgia that chimes perfectly with the Autumnal mood.
The changing leaves and hedgerows inspire my seasonal pallete as Spring pastels and Summer brights give way to leafy russets, evergreen emeralds and berry hues. Laura Ashley’s red pintuck detail corduroy dress ticked both colour and texture boxes: the rich red perfectly matches the Autumnal landscape while the needle cord fabric makes it extremely cosy to boot. The shirt dress cut is a timeless classic in an elegant midi length and the Peter Pan collar – another feature of many of my childhood outfits – adds a retro-inspired feel. Tempting as it is to wear my faux fur Laura Ashley throw outside the house at this time of year, this dress makes Autumn dressing something to relish.
My dress had its debut on a recent trip to our local pick your own farm where it perfectly coordinated with the colours of the orchard, filled with ruby red apples ripe for the picking and flanked by golden leaves. My navy trench coat kept the chill October wind at bay and its detachable faux fur collar added another cosy texture. Its storm flaps, epaulettes and buckle details make the trench utterly timeless and give the vintage-style dress a contemporary twist. Accessorised with my retro gondola basket I was ready for a morning’s apple picking. The most lovely of Autumnal days I’ve had in some time. Remember I’m sharing some of my favourite things about the season over on my Instagram using the hashtag #myodetoautumn. I’d love it if you joined in!
What I’m wearing: dress and trench coat c/o Laura Ashley; Clarks boots; vintage basket and accessories.