This is a safe space. Can I say something? I’ll take the silence as confirmation that I may go ahead… I utterly loathe media that entertains and promotes the notion that sneakers are edging – stepping, even – ever closer to becoming outmoded. It’s nonsense, typically born from conservative menswear-heads unable to fathom the idea that a world they’re not attuned to is 01. important and 02. here to stay. (Breathe; breathe.)

A hill we’re willing to die on is that the autumn/winter wardrobe jubilantly triumphs over its lighter and more vibrant spring/summer counterpart. And this is particularly true when it comes to good, old- (and young-) fashioned tailoring. Tailoring designed and made for the colder months is simply more interesting. Fabrics are richer, denser and more textured. With that comes plentiful, more substantial structure and silhouettes – and isn’t that what good clothes are all about? And while there are some exceptions, the colours and tones are generally more sombre, stark and, of course, autumnal – which arguably feels considerably more masculine and certainly easier to wear.

Remember when expressing your point of view was restricted to a select group of confidants? We now live in an era where, no matter the topic’s sensitivity, views mean views and engagement trumps feelings. Justifiably, there’s been a greater call for empathy. We’re implored to #bekind or to follow the century-old admonition to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes”. Now, with any idiom, we’re not meant to take it literally, but focus on the symbolism. Still, as a fashion psychologist, I’ve always wondered why this saying felt so brilliant. Why does something like “walking a mile carrying someone else’s bag” or “wearing someone else’s trousers” not quite hit the same? After digging through an unholy amount of research, I discovered it’s because your choice of shoes act as a type of behavioural residue. Yes, your footwear really can be an unintended manifestation of your personality.

Back-to-work season is a bit of a silly concept. We’re no longer schoolchildren – and most adults don’t get the whole summer off. (Although, notably some nations have perhaps a healthier approach to this.) So, the idea of going “back” is, well, a figment of our collective imaginations. However, there is something sweet in the notion of having a designated time, the autumn, to review our working wardrobes and give them a little refresh. And, as temperatures begin to drop, we must pack away our warm-weather bits in favour of some stylish layers and seasonally appropriate accessories. Need a little inspiration? See below.

This is a safe space. Can I say something? I’ll take the silence as confirmation that I may go ahead… I utterly loathe media that entertains and promotes the notion that sneakers are edging – stepping, even – ever closer to becoming outmoded. It’s nonsense, typically born from conservative menswear-heads unable to fathom the idea that a world they’re not attuned to is 01. important and 02. here to stay. (Breathe; breathe.)

A hill we’re willing to die on is that the autumn/winter wardrobe jubilantly triumphs over its lighter and more vibrant spring/summer counterpart. And this is particularly true when it comes to good, old- (and young-) fashioned tailoring. Tailoring designed and made for the colder months is simply more interesting. Fabrics are richer, denser and more textured. With that comes plentiful, more substantial structure and silhouettes – and isn’t that what good clothes are all about? And while there are some exceptions, the colours and tones are generally more sombre, stark and, of course, autumnal – which arguably feels considerably more masculine and certainly easier to wear.