I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe.

I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe.

      Welcome to The Great Try-On. With autumn firmly in the air, we seized the chance to try out some of the latest pieces from your favorite brands, capturing the experience along the way. We believe that the optimal way to shop online is to see items in real life and read honest reviews, so we hope this helps you make your best purchases of the year. Perhaps it’s the lingering back-to-school mindset I can’t shake, even though I left school over a decade ago, but autumn always feels like a fresh beginning. Instead of opting for a new pencil case, I often find myself wanting to refresh the essentials in my wardrobe, especially since I rely on them so heavily during the tricky transitional weeks of uncertain dressing.

      For the fall, I continuously hunt for the ideal jumper (think Harry Burns’s cream cable knit), a chic yet practical pair of flats (I really am embracing that back-to-school vibe), along with the timeless basics we all depend on. Fortunately, at Who What Wear UK, I have an abundance of fashion suggestions at my disposal. Each recommendation comes supported by reviews from various team members, along with insights into how popular particular items are with our readers.

      So, with autumn on your mind, keep scrolling for the basics I'd recommend for the upcoming season:

      The Best Basics for Autumn 2025, Tried and Reviewed by an Editor:

      1. COS Clean-Cut Tee

      My Review: What can be said about a white T-shirt? Quite a bit, actually! As someone who wears a white tee and jeans at least twice a week, I have strong opinions on what makes this simple piece just right. Surprisingly, despite my colleagues raving about the COS Clean-Cut T-Shirt, I had never tried it until now. This feels like a significant oversight, as once I put it on, I instantly wanted to purchase two (so I’d always have a backup when one is in the wash). COS is renowned for its quality, and this classic tee is no exception. It’s the perfect weight: light enough for layering under knits and jackets yet hefty enough to conceal the outlines or seams of undergarments (as you can hopefully see). The cut is also fantastic (for reference, I chose my usual size small), slightly cropped to work both tucked into and untucked from jeans or trousers, with a relaxed fit in both the body and sleeves.

      Shop COS's Clean-Cut Tee:

      COS Clean Cut Regular T-Shirt

      2. Reformation Agathea Chunky Loafers

      My Review: Loafers are a mainstay in the shoe collections of many fashion enthusiasts in the fall, and in recent years, they have established themselves as an essential wardrobe item. When it came time to recommend a pair, Reformation seemed like an excellent option. As a team, we admire the brand not only for its sustainably focused designs and overall style but also for the proven quality of each piece.

      I went for the chunky-soled Agathea style, not only because I’ve seen Gigi Hadid wearing them but because they strike the perfect balance between edgy and classic. Although the Reformation website mentioned they run large, I tried on my usual size, and they fit perfectly. I generally pair loafers with socks, so I appreciate a bit of extra room. In-store, I tried the loafers with wide-leg jeans (by the way, Reformation denim is excellent too!), and I loved how they paired with denim. I know that if these loafers were part of my wardrobe, I’d feel much less regret about putting away my flip-flops each summer.

      Shop Reformation's Agathea Chunky Loafers:

      Reformation Agathea Chunky Loafer

      3. H&M Wide Trousers

      My Review: I prefer separates to dresses any day, especially during layering season, so discovering a solid pair of trousers is always a triumph. The pinstripe pattern initially caught my eye with this H&M pair. Perhaps it’s the back-to-school nostalgia that draws me to a grey pair of trousers in the fall, but they’re a staple in my wardrobe year-round and can be styled up (like here with a shirt) or down (with a tee or casual knit).

      At 5'9", I occasionally find it challenging to find the right length in trousers, but these are perfect, hitting right below my ankle. If you’re shorter than I am, they might skim the floor a little more and could require a slight heel, but overall still a good length. Among wide-leg trousers, these lean more towards a straight leg than an ultra-wide palazzo, making them a practical everyday choice. They’re made from a comfortable jersey fabric and feature an elasticized waist, but they fit on the smaller side, so I’d recommend sizing up (I’m wearing a medium, for reference).

      Shop H&M's Wide Trousers:

      4.

I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe. I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe. I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe. I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe. I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe. I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe. I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe. I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe. I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe. I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe.

Other articles

I Adore the Initial Breath of Refreshing Autumn Air—9 Fragrances That Capture Its Essence in a Bottle I Adore the Initial Breath of Refreshing Autumn Air—9 Fragrances That Capture Its Essence in a Bottle Chic, fresh, and subtle. Boots Are My Expert Topic in Autumn—5 Pairs I've Tried and Truly Adore Boots Are My Expert Topic in Autumn—5 Pairs I've Tried and Truly Adore You'll want to keep these in mind. As a brunette, here are the six autumn hair colors I'm thinking about trying next. As a brunette, here are the six autumn hair colors I'm thinking about trying next. Choices, choices. I’m in on the secret—this perfume brand is why the most stylish women in London have such an expensive scent. I’m in on the secret—this perfume brand is why the most stylish women in London have such an expensive scent. Liberty is familiar with exquisite scents. As a brunette, here are six autumn hair colors I'm thinking about for my next look. As a brunette, here are six autumn hair colors I'm thinking about for my next look. Choices, choices. I Tried on More Than 50 Pairs of Jeans for Autumn—These 7 Are Definitely Worth the Hype. I Tried on More Than 50 Pairs of Jeans for Autumn—These 7 Are Definitely Worth the Hype. The definitive denim guide.

I Tried On More Than 50 Items This Month—Here Are the 6 Essentials That Became Part of My Capsule Wardrobe.

Continue scrolling to view and purchase the six essential items I suggest investing in for the upcoming season.