Our We Try Before You Buy series aims to take the stress out of shopping and eliminate the number of Post Office visits you make each month to return failed online orders. We test new-season buys and styling ideas so you don’t have to, and this month our editors have chosen a selection of looks from the latest Autograph collection, showcasing how they’ll be styling the edit’s hero pieces this autumn.
There’s something electric about London Fashion Week. The city itself becomes part of the spectacle: the buzz of black cabs, the flash of street style cameras, the hurried steps of editors balancing coffees and show invites. Outfits aren’t just clothes here—they’re a conversation, a visual shorthand for how we navigate one of the busiest weeks in fashion. This season, we put that challenge to the test with an unexpected twist: building our fashion-week wardrobes entirely from M&S.
The looks
HUMAA HUSSAIN Junior Branded Content Editor
Style: Classic, Minimalist, Expensive
When it comes to LFW, I like an outfit that can quietly hold its own in any setting. This one is rooted in timeless pieces. The hero item is the sleek black leather-look trousers, which, along with the zip-up grey sweatshirt, feel quite casual yet cool. But when this classic beige trench coat is layered on top, it instantly frames the whole look.
A camel trench is an absolute British signature—a sign of our unpredictable weather, but also an item with enduring style and appeal. The ballet flats are a conscious choice; heels might look great for one show, but they don’t stand up to days worth of walking and standing around. The black bag is big enough for my notebook, charger and spare lipstick; all the things you never see in the street style shots but that keep the day running smoothly.
SHOP
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M&S Cotton Rich Belted Longline Trench Coat
£89.00
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£36.00
M&S Scuba High Neck Zip Up Sweatshirt
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£26.00
M&S Pencil Cross Body Bag
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£39.50
M&S Faux Leather Straight Leg Trousers
London Fashion Week Street Style:
Sponsor Content Created with M&S
SOPHIE WATSON
Acting Fashion Editor Style: Effortless, Elevated, Contemporary
MARINA AVRAAM Senior Shopping Editor Style: Pared-Back, Relaxed, Sleek
AVA GILCHRIST SEO Writer Style: ‘90s, Preppy, Polished
BY Humaa Hussain
THE LOOK
L
ondon Fashion Week is an exercise in stamina. Between the early call times, endless cab rides and standing-room-only presentations, our outfits have to work as hard as we do. The pieces need to look considered but not contrived, elevated yet wearable; and most importantly, able to handle everything from a front-row
moment to a sprint across Soho. It’s the week where the pavement becomes a runway in its own right, and editors know how to craft a look that photographs well and actually survives a 12-hour day.
And whilst there’s always the temptation to go all-out for fashion week, the truth is that the pieces we rely on the most are the ones that strike a balance between now and forever, like a standout coat that doubles as a shield from the elements, a shoe that looks good and can cover miles and light knits that look just as cute tied over the shoulders during sunny spells as when layered over a tee. That’s where the new M&S autumn collection comes in.
Sophie’s look is a masterclass in layering with purpose. She started with a white T-shirt and leather miniskirt—a combination that’s sleek but not restrictive—then added a checked jacket to give it structure and warmth. “This jacket is the epitome of autumn for me,” she explains. Short, boxy and with subtle military-inspired details, it has that timeless feel of a piece you’ll reach for year after year. “It’s perfect for chilly days in the city when you want to feel preppy and pulled together, particularly when running around town for fashion shows and appointments,” she adds. Draping a burgundy knit over her shoulders isn’t just a styling trick but a functional extra layer when the weather turns.
She finished the look with black kitten heels, which provide enough height without slowing her down, and a tonal burgundy bag that neatly pulls everything together. “The whole look evokes a ’60s vibe, which is an era I always come back to for style inspiration,” Sophie tells me. Compared to some of the other looks, hers leans more into texture and colour play: white against leather, checks against block tones. It’s an outfit that photographs beautifully but, more importantly, works for the pace of fashion week
Ava’s slip dress proves how a single hero piece can dictate the mood of an outfit. This one is cut on the bias with lace trims—a detail that’s everywhere this A/W—and she’s layered it under a studded leather jacket for contrast. “Ask anyone in the industry and they’ll tell you there’s a quiet power in an all-black outfit,” she says. “Part uniform, part armour, the combination of the delicate lace-trim slip dress and the tough leather jacket made me feel like I could conquer anything; running around between shows, battling the long queues and even paying up for the ludicrously expensive coffees that fuel me during fashion week.”
Her accessories worked just as hard. Black knee-high boots kept her grounded and practical, whilst her bag struck the balance between functional and elevated. “It was large enough to fit my laptop and emotional-support water bottle, which was essential, but still felt chic and timeless,” Ava explains. Unlike some of the pared-back outfits, her look plays on contrast—softness against strength, delicacy against edge. It’s that interplay that makes it feel distinctly fashion week, whilst still being something she’ll reach for again long after the season ends.
L
BEFORE
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£75.00
M&S Faux Leather Studded Harrington Jacket
LOOK
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£46.00
M&S Satin Lace Dress
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£39.50
M&S Faux Leather Buckle Tote Bag
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£115.00
M&S Leather Riding Knee High Boots
DARK
ACE
Marina’s mid-wash, barrel-leg jeans form the backbone of her outfit, a reminder of how effective denim can be at fashion week when styled with intent. “The jeans fit like a dream,” she tells me, “striking the perfect balance between relaxed and structured.” On top, she’s added a croc-effect brown coat that instantly becomes the statement piece. “The moment I slipped into it, I felt very powerful. Its fit and length were spot on—no small victory at 5’2”, since long coats usually drown me,” she explains. A wool-blend turtleneck layered underneath cements the look as an autumn-ready staple, while her ballet flats add both comfort and a touch of polish.
Where my own trench look is built around minimal layering and muted tones, Marina’s outfit takes a more textured approach. The croc-effect coat, structured denim and burgundy flats bring depth and contrast, while still feeling effortless. It’s also one of the more weather-proof choices—ideal for breezy September days when you need something substantial but not bulky. “This outfit pulls together every single autumn trend I adore,” Marina summed up, and it shows.
MARINA AVRAAM
HUMAA HUSSAIN
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£90.00
M&S Textured Belted Longline Trench Coat
LOOK
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£30.00
M&S Mid Rise Barrel Jeans
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£39.50
M&S Suedette Buckle Tote Bag
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£50.00
M&S Patent Studded Flat Pointed Shoes
LOOK 01 / 04
LOOK 03 / 04
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£60.00
M&S Checked Collared Short Jacket
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THE LOOK
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£30.00
M&S Faux Leather Mini Skirt
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£40.00
M&S Faux Leather Bowler Bag
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£40.00
M&S Kitten Heel Court Shoes
LOOK 04 / 04
AVA GILCHRIST
SOPHIE WATSON
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£95.00
M&S Pure Silk Organza Utility Shirt
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£65.00
M&S Wool Blend Pleated Mini Skirt
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£95.00
M&S Pure Cashmere Roll Neck Jumper
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£80.00
M&S Leather Bowler Bag
SHOP THE LOOK
SHOP NOW
£75.00
M&S Faux Leather Studded Harrington Jacket
SHOP NOW
£46.00
M&S Satin Lace Dress
SHOP NOW
£39.50
M&S Faux Leather Buckle Tote Bag
SHOP NOW
£115.00
M&S Leather Riding Knee High Boots
SHOP THE LOOK
LOOK 04 / 04
SHOP NOW
£60.00
M&S Checked Collared Short Jacket
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£30.00
M&S Faux Leather Mini Skirt
SHOP NOW
£40.00
M&S Faux Leather Bowler Bag
SHOP NOW
£40.00
M&S Kitten Heel Court Shoes
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LOOK 03 / 04
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£89.00
M&S Cotton Rich Belted Longline Trench Coat
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£36.00
M&S Scuba High Neck Zip Up Sweatshirt
SHOP NOW
£26.00
M&S Pencil Cross Body Bag
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£36.00
M&S Suede Bow Flat Square Toe Ballet Pump
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LOOK 02 / 04
EVERYTHING OUr Editors are wearing from M&S
LOOK 02 / 04
EVERYTHING OUr Editors are wearing from M&S