The 10 Ednuring Style Icons Influencing Our Autumn 2026 Wardrobes

The leaves are crisp, the mornings are fresh and you (might) have turned your heating on. It’s official: autumn is upon us. After months of easy linen, lightweight dresses and barely-there layers, the arrival of autumn is always an excuse to take stock and rethink our wardrobes, but perhaps most importantly, the way we put our outfits together. Layering is practical, of course, but a great coat can be the entire outfit. Knitwear is no longer a relegated to being an afterthought, and, the right pair of boots can make even jeans and white tee feel like a statement. But for me, some of the best autumn outfit inspiration doesn’t come from the runway, but from those who have already mastered the art of sartorial story telling.

Across TV, film, music, and fashion, there is no shortage of brilliant and well-dressed women, both real and fictional, who strike that elusive balance between looking effortlessly elegant and weather-appropriate. Their wardrobes might not be full of the most directional pieces, but the way they combine timeless staples, thoughtful accessories and a few of the season’s key trends makes their style and legacy so compelling. Where would we be without Jane’s roomy Birkin? Kate Moss’ maxi dresses and shaggy furs? The Gilmore Girls’ brand of cosy chic?

This autumn, we’re taking cues from the style icons who make transitional dressing look particularly good. From the sophisticated city dressers to the comfy girls with a penchant for outerwear and clever layering, these are the women to have on your radar when you’re wondering what to wear as the seasons change. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next office outfit, a weekend look or simply a new way to wear the pieces already hanging in your wardrobe, consider this your guide to the autumn style set worth really watching—plus the outfit ideas we’ll be recreating in 2026.

Style Notes: Think of quintessential Jane Birkin and you may be conjuring up images of undone blouses, baskets and micro minis, but her approach to autumn dressing is just as moodboard-worthy. What has cemented her status in the halls of fashion history is her knack for making simple pieces feel chic, and when the temperature drops, her worn-in denim, soft knitwear and relaxed tailoring come into full effect. An oversized jumper here, a lived-in jacket there, minimal accessories, always (and often finished with tousled hair), Birkin was the queen of nonchalance, and her autumn aesthetic proves that the secret to great cold-weather dressing might simply be mixing and matching old staples for that extra je ne sais quoi.

Style Notes: As dedicated Traitors fans will know, Claudia Winkleman’s series wardrobe has become almost as discussed as her trademark fringe. It’s a simple formula, but wonderfully low-key: chunky knits, opaque tights, ankle boots and plenty of black, usually softened with cosy textures and the occasional checked or printed layer; in short the pieces you may well own. And, as the show is shot in the Scottish highlands, practicality is key, but for any of the more dramatic moments (round tables, especially) you can expect boxy silhouettes and the kind of accessories that will sell out the day after airing. For anyone looking to build a chic autumn wardrobe that prioritises comfort, character and timeless staples over fleeting trends, Winkleman is a particularly compelling source of inspiration, there’s a good reason her look already is so iconic that it’s become a halloween costume.

Style Notes: Before there was “quiet luxury” there was Helen Folasade Adu. In an era of new romantics, club kids and rocks, Sade’s style was the kind of effortless elegance that was ahead of it’s time. With a wardrobe built around clean lines, fluid tailoring and a restrained palette (it’s rare to see her outside of cream, black and denim blue), the same silky blouses, perfectly cut trousers and oversized jackets that she championed in the ’80s and ’90s have come back around now. There’s a sense of ease to everything she wears, but never anything accidental—each look feels considered without looking overly styled. Add her signature hoops, sleek hair and red lip, and you have a masterclass in quiet glamour that still feels remarkably modern today, just Solange Knowles, Tracee Ellis Ross or Rosie Huntingdon Whiteley.

Style Notes: More than just a “revenge dress”. Princess Diana’s downtime wardrobe is the perfect example of how to make even sporty separates feel regal. We all remember her oversized blazers pleated skirts, and riding boots, but it was the jersey sweaters, jogging bottoms and caps that gave her off-duty looks the perfect balance of polished and relaxed. Sweatshirts and shirts, smart, tailored coats and tracksuits, and leggings and heels might feel like a regular occurrence today, but Diana paved the way for the paparazzi conscious A-list to try the high/low approach.