10 Must-Have Designer Items For Autumn And Their Affordable Dupes
BY CHRISTINA COCO
Bargain hunter mind, with expensive taste at heart.
6 APR - 2022
Stay trendy without compromising your budget.
Autumn is personally my favourite fashion season because the weather allows for layering and the introduction of shirts, jackets and boots! It’s an opportunity to get the most wear out of a range of items in your wardrobe without the fuss of a hot summer’s day or a freezing winter season.
We're looking at a bear market with a recession looming near so I've included good quality dupes that will be friendly on the wallet while having you look like a vision in designer wear.
Bottega Mini Jodie
You would have seen this particular shade of green grace your fashion feed. Made of 50/50 lamb and calf-skin, the Bottega Mini Jodie nods to the old-school Bottega weave but is modernised with the knot detail. If you’re a monochromatic gal, this number successfully inserts a freshness when paired with neutral hues. Priced at a hernia-inducing AUD$3100, you’ll need to be on a decent pay to justify this trendy piece as it’s not a timeless item.
Bottega Mini Jodie
Oroton Lilou Mini Day Bag
Oroton is a great mid-tier designer that I rate. For the impeccable quality it provides, the price-point is very friendly! The green shade of the Lilou Mini Day Bag is sold out online but you might be able to ring up a store and order directly!
Oroton Lilou Mini Day Bag
Prada Chunky Lace Ups
Last season, it was all about the chunky loafers but this season, it’s about the chunky lace ups. The chunky look came back strong last year in the boot perspective as well as sneakers like the Rihanna x Puma Creepers. And now, we have an even chunkier trend with Versace and Valentino. At the moment, ‘the chunkier, the better’ is the it-look that’s taking over.
Prada Monolith Brushed Leather Lace-up Shoes
You Can’t Go Wrong With Jo Mercer
Jo Mercer is a really good brand - whilst they’re affordable, they’re good quality. You know you’re gonna get a good pair that will last years. The good thing about this trend is that it’s not gonna go out for a while and will be a staple style for quite some time. It’s also a really versatile piece that can elevate any outfit and goes with pants as well as mini skirts and stockings. I reckon it gives anime girl vibes!
Jo Mercer ITOU Lace Ups
Autumn = Trench Season
If you really want to go for a true designer piece in terms of the trench coat, go for Burberry. It’s the OG and will be passed on through generations. However, for the designer option for the trench today, I’ve included the double-breasted Max Mara Water-repellent cotton twill trench coat. It’s less dear than Burberry and Max Mara is a brand that you can’t overlook when it comes to coats. They have a variety of trench silhouettes in neutral shades from milk and camel to darker shades like tobacco and navy. If you have the budget, the gabardine trench coat is so slick and cool.
Max Mara Water-repellent Cotton Trench Coat
Camilla and Marc
Although the Camilla and Marc Mae trench coat is a hefty $750, we’ve put this as our affordable choice because we believe there’s no point in scrimping when you purchase a trench. As soon as you look at super affordable versions, the quality will suffer too much. Sometimes, there’s no lining on these things and there’s about two weeks of the year that you can wear the so-called ‘trench coat’ and the piece becomes a space-taker in the walk-in and you get no use out of it. If you REALLY want to opt for a cheap version, Glassons has a $99.99 Classic Longline Trench Coat that looks acceptable.
Camilla and Marc Mae Trench Coat
Take a Bow
Need I say more? Rebecca Valance’s bridal edit is full of dresses with bows and the Daphne Mini is a favourite for those who are wanting their wedding dress to look fun and flirty. This Rachel Gilbert number also taps into the puffy sleeve trend that we’ve been seeing on the aisle.
Rachel Gilbert Xavier Mini
Disshing It Out
Dissh has really stepped up its game recently in terms of its branding and quality. At $199.99 AUD, I probably wouldn’t recommend it as a wedding dress unless you’re going for a barefoot beach wedding vibe. But if you’re looking for a party dress that fits in with the big bow trend, there are a few options on dissh!
dissh Back Bow Dress
Paris Texas Croc Knee High Boots
I feel like the croc came through last year but it didn’t have its moment - we mostly saw smooth calf leather boots in brown tones like nude and tan but this year, it’s all about vibrant and vivid colours!
Paris Texas Croc Knee High Boots
Tony Bianco Apollo Bordeaux Croc
I am planning to get these - I haven’t bought high boots in 6 years! It’s really rare to find a mainstream brand that executes high fashion at this level and quality of detail. You’ve seen it with the Versace heel. This Tony Bianco number, however, look so similar to the Paris Texas version. You wouldn’t be able to tell they’re from TB! Basically, it’s a good replica.
Zara also have a bunch of coloured boots in bright pink, green, and blue.
Tony Bianco Apollo Bordeaux Croc Calf Boots
Cropped Quilted Puffer
Winter is coming up in the southern hemisphere and if you’ve been to Melbourne, you’ll know it’s the home of the puffer jacket. We’re seeing a major resurgence of the puffy cropped bomber from two decades ago!
Reebok x Victoria Beckham
The Reebok x Victoria Beckham collaboration has stylish pieces that are affordable while looking expensive. AND, it’s on sale for 50% off at the moment. This receives a big tick from me!
Reebok x Victoria Beckham Cropped Puffer
Versace Medusa Aevitas Platform Pumps
I’d sell my left kidney for it. Not my right one though. The right one is my good one.
They’re shockingly high but I don't care. I’m 5’3”, so I say, the higher the better. It means I’m closer to Jesus. I have an intuition, an inkling if you will, that they’ll be comfortable and fine. I’m sure of it.
Versace Medusa Aevitas Platform Pumps
Pump it Up
A dupe for the equally raved Valentino Platform Pump in Patent Leather, my friends have bought these Asos heels. They’re known to be more comfortable than the designer versions and you get your bang for your buck at $85.
ASOS DESIGN Pluto Platform Heeled Shoes
Street Chic
At the moment, the fashion trend swings to either super femme or super androgynous and I think the cargo trend seamlessly brings those trends together. It gives early 2000’s vibes like J.Lo in Jenny from the Block. It’s slightly edgier and cooler than the girl-next-door vibe. And we’ve all seen Sydnye Sweeney’s cargo pant plus white top moment. It’s time to ditch the jeans!
Dion Lee Parachute Cargo Pants
All in the Details
With any cargo, it’s better to go with something with defined detail or you run the risk of them looking quite cheap, like sweats. If you’re going to the trend, lean into versatile trends instead of one hit wonders. This Dakota 501 piece has stitching details which I like! It’s a nice pair that’s structured, and you can dress it up and down quite a bit depending on the top and outerwear.
Dakota501 Carpenter Pants
Comin' in Hot
This is f****n hot. It’s all about colour blocking at the moment. Colour has definitely made a resurgence since last year and suiting has taken it on board fully - regal colours are coming back, think jewel-toned hues and bright primary colours.
The cobalt blue Effie Kats pantsuit is EVERYWHERE in Melbourne.
In terms of the fit, a cinched waist is in as well as the boxy silhouette. We’re seeing less of the skinny pants and more of the straight and wide-leg pants.
Sergio Hudson Crepe Blazer and Wide Leg Pants
Suited Up
I know it’s grey, but the belt detail gives it something different. A point of difference is what I look for when opting for an affordable dupe. If you want to go for a fast-fashion kind of price-point, Kookai’s suiting is absolutely gorgeous in emerald green.
Single Breasted Blazer
Corduroy but Make it Gucci
I like that corduroy is making a comeback. It has that 70s vibe and it only makes a resurgence for winter. I like that the texture adds another element to your outfit. You can wear it with New Balance shoes to give it the full dad effect.
Gucci Horsebit 1955 Leather-trimmed Corduroy Shoulder Bag
Cord to the Men's Section
If you want a boxy corduroy jacket, you’re better off buying a guy’s version from Zara or H&M or even Carhartt. The men’s section will always have something like this. And of course, it gives off strong Yellowstone vibes.
Universal Store Bowie Cord Overshirt Chocolate Brown
I think this is a really cool trend. It's edgy and leather apparel piece of any kind is a good layering piece because leather contrasts so well with any texture. You can wear the leather shirt as outerwear with a top with a bucket hat. The look is elevated and reminds me of fall in Europe. Everyone in Italy wears a leather jacket during the nippy season. The leather jacket is making its way back too but instead of the fitted look, it’s all about the boxy and structured look.
Isabel Marant Xiao Leather Shirt
Country road has always done beautiful quality leather goods and you know when you’re buying from them, you’re getting something quite stylish that’s good quality. CR also does good spend and saves, so if you choose your timing right, you can save some cash.
Country Road Leather Shirt
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