By Rose Mary Roche

Copyright evoke

There is a distinct sense that evenings are shortening and mornings are cooler, so thoughts are turning to dressing for the winter months.

The directions, details and shades that define the new season allow us to stay snug and stylish from now until next spring so require planning. Pieces like tailoring, coats and boots are key investments so it’s important to choose carefully and get value for money.

Here is an overview of ten trends for Autumn Winter 2025 and options to interpret them at affordable prices, with many putting a little twist on a fashion classic.

Suited and Booted

Tailoring is an Autumn Winter cornerstone. Looking suited and booted was popular across the collections with Sarah Burton’s debut for Givenchy firmly emphasising her skill at razor-sharp tailoring.

She showed hourglass nip-waisted jackets and coats without frills or gimmicks, just a beautifully streamlined and perfectly executed cut that amplified a strong but soft shoulder, a curved arm with a twisting seam, and a sculpted, waist.

Trousers were generously cut through the legs, for comfort. Other designers who made tailoring central to their collections included Victoria Beckham, Tom Ford, Valentino, and Balenciaga.

Strong tailoring with a directional edge at competitive prices is available from Marks and Spencer, Jigsaw, and Mango. Cos is especially strong on cut and their chocolate wool blazer; €179 and relaxed trousers, €129 are an enduring buy.

The sightings of fur (both faux and real) on show-goers at the AW shows was an indication of how strongly it features across the collections.

Whether it was an expression of the “Boom Boom” aesthetic heralded by the second Trump presidency or a way for people to cosset themselves from the news, fur is the texture of the season.

Simone Rocha, Chloé, Chanel, and Toteme all showed fur with Gabriela Hearst using real recycled fur in her coats. Faux fur was re-imagined in jackets, gilets, coats, scarves, bags and as a trim on multiple pieces. Marks and Spencer’s Autograph collection includes a collared ivory faux fur coat , €250, while Cos have a bold leopard effect shearling jacket, €650, Very have a crop faux fur jacket, €70, and Zara have a short trench coat with a dramatic faux fur collar, €69.95.

Lace in Unusual Shades

Lace appeared extensively with Valentino, Chloé, Stella McCartney, and Saint Laurent crafting it into everything from bodysuits to blouses, to skirts and gowns.

Lace was also widely used as a trim on slip dresses, and camisoles to add a feminine flourish and was often seen in rich and unusual shades like ochre, burgundy, terracotta, and olive.

Lace has ladylike connotations but this season it also expressed a bohemian and free-spirited aura that suggested a longing for romance and escapism.

Lace tights were also widely seen and are a quick way to do the trend without breaking the bank. Darker lace with a Victorian or Baroque vibe in classic black, burgundy, and chocolate brown was also popular. Lace tops and bodysuits were layered under everything from tailored velvet blazers to evening gowns and pinafore dresses adding depth and richness.

On the high street, & Other Stories do lace dresses and blouses well. Keep an eye on actual lingerie pieces that can be incorporated into your wardrobe too, e.g. Marks and Spencer have a lace trim chemise, €25 as well as a lace trim satin dress, €65 that could both serve as layering pieces. H&M are also doing pretty black lace tights for €14.99.

Mocha Mousse was predicted as the shade of 2025 and while it was popular in summer, it’s for autumn that it really asserts itself. Earthy tones will be everywhere this autumn including bitter chocolate, caramel, cappuccino and tan.

Shown by Stella McCartney, Michael Kors, Tods, Victoria Beckham and Cecilie Bahnsen, the trend has also trickled down to the chains with Cos, Arket, Marks and Spencer, H&M, and & Other Stories and Massimo Dutti collectively going big on brown this winter.

Uniqlo have a very smart chocolate brown coat, (€109.90) and a tweed tailored jacket, (€99.90). The shade looks great layered in contrasting fabrics so try mixing satin, suede, knits, and wools for a rich effect. Even if you have reservations, do try brown as it is the key neutral this season.

Pencil Skirts

It’s been a while since the pencil skirt has been on trend, but this season it is back. It anchors the ladylike trend and femininity that dominated many collections. It seems in time of uncertainty nothing is as reassuring as hourglass curves and Givenchy, Calvin Klein, Fendi, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Valentino and Dior all showed sharp pencil skirts.

Elegant, yet subtly sexy the slim skirt is a very versatile piece and works equally well with tailored jackets, silk shirts, oversized knits, and knee length coats. They are available on the high street from Marks and Spencer, Massimo Dutti, while Cos has a sheer column skirt , €99, in soft blue or pink. When executed in leather they carry a subversive edge and look great as an evening option in satin or lace.

Soft Slouchy Bags

Oversized bags are the accessory this season with soft, slouchy styles trending. Worn clasped firmly under arm or close to your chest, soft, supple Nappa or woven leathers are popular. Texture is very important, so suede is everywhere, as are quirky bag charms for personalisation.

Statement bags were seen at Acne, Stella McCartney, Fendi, Balenciaga, Calvin Klein and Armani squished under the arm while the chains including & Other Stories, Arket and Cos have affordable styles with the necessary squish appeal. Landa’s oversized Panama shopper, €425, is a perfect example of the look.

Animal Print

Animal prints prowl the season with leopard, cow, zebra, and snakeskin just some of the wild designs seen across clothing, bags, and footwear.

Valentino, Fendi, Saint Laurent, Dolce, and Gabbana, Cavalli and Versace sent animal prints out to stalk the catwalk and the trend has crossed over to the chains with wild creature prints available from Cos, Marks and Spencer, Massimo Dutti, Zara, and River Island.

Even a single animal print piece like the Very Collection leopard print dress, (€96) or Massimo Dutti’s short leopard print coat, (€189) can make existing wardrobes look fresh.

If you are afraid of wearing animal print in clothing, accessories are an excellent way to add some animal magnetism to your winter look.

Capey Coats

Enveloping outerwear is always strong for an Irish winter and there is a trend for capey coats with flared silhouettes with an unstructured, soft shape.

Khaite, Michael Kors, Roksanda, Louis Vuitton, McQueen and Max Mara included soft, fluid, and flared coats and capes which made a dramatic impact while also enfolding the wearer in a comforting embrace.

These capey/drapey coats can be found across the chains: Cos currently have a cropped trench coat cape (€129) Massimo Dutti have a short neutral coat with a scarf detail, (€189) while Arket are offering a chic wrap coat with a large shawl collar, (€299). Wrapping up has never been so stylish.

Unusual Belts

In a season highlighting waist emphasis, unusual and striking belts are dominating accessories. Styles can range from obis to skinny double belts to boho embellished styles.

A strong belt is one of the easiest ways to refresh your look and the trend for multiple belts worn at once means you can wear old ones in a creative new way. Schiaparelli and Jil Sander endorsed the trend for two or more belts worn simultaneously, while Chanel and Chloé showed chain belts and Louis Vuitton and Ferragamo accessorised with belt bags.

On the high street good value belts are available from & Other Stories and H&M while Mango has some leather and suede obi belts, (€39.99) ideal for waist definition.

School Style Shoes V Kinky Boots

There is a practical attitude to a lot of footwear this season with brogues, loafers, chunky flats, Mary Janes and slip on styles all popular.

Knee high socks are a key addition to add some whimsy and can be worn pulled up or slouchy. If you are a bit intimidated by animal print (as per above), Nicki Hoyne’s cow hair pumps, (€230) offer an accessible entry to the trend.

Marks and Spencer and & Other Stories are doing attractive soft loafers and Mary Janes is a variety of shades and materials.

If that doesn’t excite you then long boots are also back, with some very high indeed. Balmain’s thigh high zebra print boots grabbed everyone’s attention at the Brown Thomas AW show, but more wearable options can be found at Next, Zara, Arket and Arnotts.