While we try to savour the last few days of “summer” (a few hours of sunshine and a rained –off barbie does not a summer make) the unmistakeable cloud of autumn starts to hang over us. September means an actual acceptance of the fact that it’s getting colder (even though we haven’t seen sunshine since about May) and that soon the flipflops will be put away and our boots will be out; halter tops will be replaced with oversized jumpers. We enter into September begrudgingly grabbing our coats and sulking as we put on a scarf.
But this is the perfect excuse for a new wardrobe!! And this Autumn Winter is much more sleek and stylish than lumpy layers. Think calf-length circle skirts, chunky knits and of course, the aviator jacket.
The aviator jacket is a god-send; perfectly incorporating both warmth and style. While we may all be lusting after Burberry’s beautiful offering (which has sold out already at Net-a-porter), the high street is doing some fantastic imitations. Mine is from River Island (who do a few reasonably priced imitations) but Top Shop have a beautiful, yet pricier version and even BooHoo have stepped up to the mark. But once purchased, how do you wear it?
Well the aviator jacket has been hailed as the “new biker jacket”- the wear-with-everything winter staple. Wear with a jumper and jeans for day-time warmth come autumn, with skirts or dresses for daytime, and throw over a cocktail dress for Christmas parties. The aviator jacket works both with girly, grungy floral dresses or with slim-leg trousers for an androgynous look.
The aviator jacket reflects the British notion of trying to look good in our dreary weather; think of the success to Hunter wellies and the unwavering obsession with festival chic. They were invented to keep pilots warm at high altitudes and the warm furry collar is the ultimate in snug-chic. They also embody the idea of a strong, independent, female figure a la Amelia Earheart.
This is a trend to wear with a little attitude and lots of warm layers. The only downside is that while you can buy them now, they really aren’t wearable until at least the end of September. Sob. Make the most of the last few weeks of warm-ish weather, have a few more wears of your denim jacket and then embrace the warmth and comfort of winter weather- no fake tan required.

photo credit