For many of us, this autumn isn’t going to be splurge time on winter clothing: college students in particular are going to be wondering how far a grant will stretch, as heating prices are set to escalate and food prices are around 15% up on last term. But autumn is also a time when many of us re-assess our appearance and move from the casual to the more stylish, both because it’s colder and because we feel more professional and less laid-back when the sunshine leaves us. So what can you do to look good on a budget?

Layering clothing is still top style – and the good news about layering is twofold: more layers keep you warmer and you can add just one or two new items and make last year’s wardrobe look brand new. Top picks for the autumn for women are cool coloured camisoles (white, mint and palest blue) under tartan lumberjack tops, and fitted short-sleeved shirts with long-sleeved t-shirts underneath. For men, ‘Brideshead’ pastel colours are hot and still hard to find: look out for soft pink and pastel blue rugby shirts, under which you can sling a similarly light coloured tee-shirt.

Blazers and fitted jackets are re-appearing, particularly the other ‘Brideshead’ item, the fitted tweed jacket for women, these look very good worn with jeans, fitted t-shirts and a floaty scarf. For men, the jacket needs to be worn with a round necked tee or sweatshirt underneath, it’s a ‘no-collar’ look this year.