Got that new-term feeling? Treat yourself to some slipper-soft shoes and a worth-the-wait cardigan

Nobody has handed me a timetable in decades, but I still love that new-term energy, and this edit leans right into it. A blazer that is properly tailored, rather than assembled from buttons and hope. Closed-toe shoes to ensure a proper soft landing after months of sandals.

There’s also a bag doing a very convincing impression of something 10 times its price, and one long-sold-out cardigan that was worth every month of the wait.

Onwards, into the good stuff.

The autumn’s first high-street find

Herringbone wool blend blazer
£129 at John Lewis

A blazer with a waist is so elegant, but proper tailoring is usually expensive. High-street versions tend to rely on button placement to create shape, which is uncomfortable and doesn’t give a smooth curve. This herringbone beauty has proper internal structure to give a beautiful line that holds. Classy details: peak lapels, flap pockets at the hip, back vent, inner pocket. Snap it up.

It is not The Row. But for 1/20th of the price it’s pretty great

Juliette soft large tote
£185 at July

The trapezoid shape and gusseted side panels caught my eye – squint and you’re looking at The Row’s Marlo tote – but the details reeled me in. There’s a flat base to minimise rummaging, bottom studs to keep it off germy floors, a removable laptop sleeve and drink bottle holder, a D-ring top closure, an internal zip pocket and a sleeve to pass over luggage handles for when you are travelling. (You can have your initials embossed here if you are fancy.) The chocolate colourway is sold out, but the black and “whiskey” are also divine.

Microdosing cashmere for autumn good health

Cashmere micro-bandana
£45 at Rise & Fall

I love Rise & Fall and I know a lot of you lovely people do too. If you don’t know it yet, it’s a British brand that buys products direct from the manufacturers of the finest materials. So you get cashmere sweaters and organic cotton bed linen made by the people who make them for the fanciest brands – without the retail mark-up. A bit of an in-the-know secret, but we don’t gatekeep here. This micro-bandana, available in poppy and buttermilk, will take the edge off the first chills of autumn.

A Sézane cardigan that was worth the wait

Doriane cardigan
£85 at Sézane

I tried this on in Sézane’s Marylebone store a few months ago, but didn’t buy it because, do you really need another black top etc etc. Anyway, I couldn’t stop thinking about it (the little lozenges of skin that run between the buttons just make it a bit fun, if you know what I mean) but it was then consistently sold out. It’s now back in stock, so I’ve got mine and I love it. Also, Sézane has had a rebrand this season – French girl chic is growing up, we love to see it – so definitely worth a browse.

It’s closed-toe season

Soft leather shoes
£35.99 at Zara

Cheap shoes are a false economy if they’re not comfortable. Those plastic heel stiffeners that are used to stiffen synthetic uppers give me blisters just looking at them. Zara shoes are highly variable in this regard, but these are a delight. Like slippers! And the narrow profile and high fastening – sort of a jazz shoe silhouette – are quite chic and now. I’ve got them in ecru, which is low in stock, but they also come in this black shade.

What’s hot – and what’s most definitely not – this week

Going up

Soft launching | Nicole Kidman unveiled Pieter Mulier’s first look for Versace at a Practical Magic premiere. Note the lace choker! Just another five months to go until his big debut then.

P&J sandwich dressing | Follow Uniqlo’s lead and wear two polo shirts under a jumper for some unexpected layering.

Upstaging | Yes, Travis Kelce is the new face of Tommy Hilfiger but have you seen his furry co-star Wendy?

Going down

Streak free tubs | Surely, a knock on effect from a spike in pink hair dye is a stained bath?

Cowboy hats | Was John Travolta’s raspberry beret a homage to Bergman – or homage to Prince?

Panda eyes | “No mascara summer” has been extended for autumn. Good news for watery eyes.