Material Girl: The 5 Perfect Pieces To Revamp Your Wardrobe This Season

As the first leaves start to fall, the air feels that little bit cooler, and the temperature begins to drop; it can only mean one thing, Autumn is here. The beginning of Autumn means the return of hot beverages, cosy nights in and, of course, new additions to your wardrobe that fit the description of being both functional and fashionable for the months ahead.

The New Going-Out Top

It’s no coincidence that we all tend to follow the same formula of “jeans and a nice top” when it comes to going out at night. After all, you don’t want to mess with the classics. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t upgrade your rotation of trendy nighttime appropriate pieces. This season we’ve seen a revival of Y2K trends and a surge in its popularity. And, amongst this popularity is the tube top. There's a tube top for anyone and everyone, ranging from comfortable knits to soft linen, shimmers, patterns, and jewel tones. And, if you choose to shop online, Qantas shopping allows you to earn Qantas Points when you buy eligible items from The Iconic, giving you double the reason to go looking for a new outfit.

Funky Vests

If you’re looking to dip your toes into an on-trend item but micro-minis are a little too daring for your daily commute, then why not opt for a vest? Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen a revival of the geek-chic staple but with a modern twist, coming in a variety of colours and cuts.

Last year we saw the sweater vest make its grand return, but this year the slightly sleeker cousin, the waistcoat vest is dominating social media and street style alike. This chic style can be worn over crisp shirts and tees, or for a slightly bolder look, wear it alone and pair with some wide-leg pants for a polished look. It can be worn underneath coats as the weather gets chillier for easy layering, as well as oversized, with jeans for that lazy Sunday morning stroll. You’ll be looking instantly elevated and chic without needing to try.

The Leather Biker Jacket

As the weather continues to chill and we search for a warmer layer, why sacrifice the ability to look stylish? This season we’ve seen the return of the biker jacket. The biker jacket is the cooler older sister of the more demure leather blazer we’ve seen all over our Instagram feeds for the last few seasons. It walks the line of being both trendy and classic, making it the perfect layer to add to your arsenal this year. It toughens up soft silhouettes and relaxes more structured styles, with the added ability to actually keep you warm. This piece will be a must in your wardrobe for years to come.

A Showstopping Slip Skirt

When looking for a style to add some oomph into your wardrobe, don’t fall into the trap of buying into an overtly in your face micro-trend. Whilst this may look fantastic, it will soon lose its appeal or begin to fall apart a little sooner; instead, go for a piece that's highly wearable in various situations, but in an unexpected colour, to very literally brighten up your rotation. In this instance, this piece is the endlessly chic slip skirt.

The slip is flattering on just about everybody and can be styled in a variety of different ways. For instance, a midi length that gently grazes the ankle looks fantastic with a pair of chunky loafers, a classic boxy tee and a blazer for a chic, 90s inspired workwear look. Now switch up the loafers for a slingback, take off the tee, replace it with a tube top, and drape the blazer over your shoulders for an appropriate after-dark style. The slip can be styled with anything from knee-high boots to summery sandals to transcend the seasons and become a staple piece in your closet, but if you’re looking for something slightly more unique, opt for a satin fabric or subtle pattern to play around a little bit more.

Chunky Loafers

If you want to combine function and fashion, look no further than the chunky loafer. This closet must is the cool girl's take on the preppy staple. Over the years, we’ve seen a variety of loafers come into prominence, and now it’s the show-stopping, ground-stomping chunky styles time to shine. This shoe is comfortable enough to wear during the daytime, whilst also looking right at home on a night out. Initially popularised by high-end fashion houses, the shoe is now available at every price point.

Pair it with a sweet slip skirt to toughen up the soft silhouette, or amp up the tough with a pair of leather trousers and a baby t-shirt. These shoes will take you all through Autumn, Winter and beyond.

A Vibrant Bag

One of the easiest ways to inject some fun into your everyday outfits is to add a little colour. Vibrant shades can excite the mind and instantly elevate both your mood and your style; however, for many of us, the idea of a fuchsia jacket or a periwinkle skirt is a little intimidating. So, if you’re looking to cross the bridge to a brighter fashion future, start with accessories.

A great bag in an unexpected shade upgrades your everyday wardrobe. The simple uniform of blue denim and a white tank looks far more fashion-forward with a jewel-toned crossbody. If you still feel a little intimidated, think about the styles of bag you tend to gravitate towards rather than walking into completely foreign territory and choosing a canary yellow clutch when you usually grab a plain canvas tote. A familiar style will help make the transition to a brighter shade a little less intimidating and will inject some life and vibrancy into your everyday style, which is particularly needed as the days get cooler.

Your clothing is your armour against the world, and with these pieces, you’re geared up for any situation. With the ability to dress them up and down you’ll look put together even when you feel like a mess, so go put your best foot forward in those new chunky loafers.