A new season brings new fashion during MichaelmasKRiemer/Pixabay

As autumn draws in, I won’t pretend that I’m sad to be waving goodbye to summer. Shorts, dresses, and t-shirts are all well and good for a while (that’s ignoring the excessive flesh bearing of those unfortunate enough not to be able to read the size tags), but they have nothing on the opportunity to pile on layers upon layers, feel cushy in thick jumpers, and don’t even get me started on knitwear. Choosing between the beach in a statement bikini versus hot chocolate slurped up from under the safety of a maxi scarf, I’m always decidedly for the latter.

This year’s transition to chillier climes is not hampered much by missing stand-out summer fashion trends, either. I feel like the much anticipated jumpsuit look never fully caught on, and my favourite newcomer, harem pants, can be worn into the autumn as well. And what I will miss has been around for more than one season, and is pretty much guaranteed a comeback come for Summer 2017: wavy, dreamy maxi skirts – the type made of material too light for the autumn, skirty shorts, flowers all over, and the oh-so-handy-to-hide-in sunglasses.

Even for those more attached to the summer than I am, it won’t all be gone: autumn florals promise to extend the season of flowery wear. Something to keep an eye out for is how these quintessentially summery patterns are implemented in heavier materials, and especially what the prospect of more botanical menswear brings to the fashion scene.

A real autumn treat for comfy-lovers like myself is the emancipation of hoodies from classic casual wear to a look embraced by upmarket brands. With designers continuing the trend of bringing sporty clothes onto catwalks (think trendy trackies), I’m excited about finally being able to wear all that college and club stash with fashionista pride.

On the more formal front, yet another renaissance of Renaissance looms in the horizon: bell sleeves, off-the-shoulder tops, and velvet galore are all on the cards for the autumn. I’m quite tempted to turn some of this into a new formal hall look – meaning, of course, that the eternal ‘does it go with my gown?’ question has to be solved once again.

My biggest love in the autumn look books, though, is a returner from last year’s catwalks: the navy coat. After spying on the blue and white look for a while, I’ve decided it’s so chic I’m actually quite tempted to jump on the navy bandwagon this year.

However, as always with fashion, there are also the big uh-oh’s that make the start of a new season an even more interesting time. The on-march of tinsel makes me fear a return to the 80s in all their glitter and garishness. Don’t get me wrong, I love all things shiny and would happily walk around in actual tinsel, but if tinsel takes off as a fashion fad, there is a serious risk of masses of people looking like an attempt to break the world record for the largest human Christmas tree. Another one to make me shudder are capelets: I adore the vintage look, but I’m terrified of having to witness failed attempts to style them as casual wear.

Fashion fail or style success, Autumn 2016 promises to be an exciting one. Maybe I’ll even be tempted to exit my woolly socks and hot chocolate mode and brave the streets to take in what the new season of fashion is shaping into off the catwalks.