The perfect autumn jacket

For in-between days, when it's still warm enough to get away without a coat, I like to layer-up in a lightweight jumper (usually John Smedley), jacket and scarf. As I'm always in jeans, this velvet blazer from Boden would make my trademark outfit feel special. It's unexpected and fun and not as formal as plain black.

Larky Khaki

'Khaki is a clear-cut, round-the-year, round-the-clock favourite,' said Mary Quant in 1984, and cor blimey, she was right. I'm referring to my latest charity shop find, Colour by Quant, a book packed full of fashion news, beauty tips and terrible clichés. But, unlike big plastic earrings and the bubble perm, some of this advice is as valid now as it was back then. Quant recommends wearing military with 'an army of colourful allies' or alternatively, if like myself you're a little colour shy, black and camel (formerly known as beige). OK you don't need to be a world-famous designer to come up with that bright idea - but fast-forward twenty-odd years and I think Larky Khaki aptly describes Dries Van Noten's take on autumn. A dollop of leopard print softens up military tones and adds a whiff of glamour to miminal dressing. As Quant rightly points out, green needs texture.

Photo: style.com