No matter your budget, you can renew your wardrobe for the autumn season with any or all of these key items.

Suede
Although often a dreaded fabric due to stains being costly, there are so many wonderful faux suede options this season that you are spoiled for choice. Many of these can be gently washed, so there’s no need to panic if any stains do appear. Like with faux leather, these materials have come a long way – it is hard to distinguish between faux and the real thing nowadays, but faux is often more flexible and easy to pack. If you do purchase the real thing, invest in a readily available spray, which will help to protect the fabric from everyday stains. Sprays also work well on shoes and bags.

Velvet
Velvet is everywhere! Not just for the upcoming season, but on catwalks all over the world for next spring. Luxury comes to mind with the look and feel of velvet, which is usually only considered for evenings – not any more! The high street is packed with options for day or evening wear. One piece is often all you need to bring your wardrobe right up to date and it doesn’t need to be expensive. From crushed velvet trouser suits to a velvet scarf, often found in rich jewelled colours, you will enjoy the feel of luxury every time you wear it.

Sequins
Still here with no sign of going anywhere, sequins are also not just for the evening, but for the office and all daytime activities – even fitness apparel has now been sequined!

Washing sequined garments can be tricky, but read the instructions carefully and follow to the letter. I recommend turning the garment inside out to protect the sequins or other adornments, pop it into a washing bag and do a gentle cycle (flat dry when possible). There’s nothing like a little sparkle to cheer us up as the nights draw in, but don’t wait for Christmas and the holidays – sparkle now!

Floral
You’ll also be inundated with floral this autumn. Dresses, skirts, jumpers, cardigans and even trousers are all sporting some sort of floral motif at the moment. So, if you are missing your gorgeous garden blooms, remind yourself of spring flowers by wearing them now. Why not buy a pretty floral brooch to dress up a plain outfit?

Coats
We all need a coat or two heading into the cooler, wetter weather and the puffer jacket is no exception. As with velvet, puffer jackets are everywhere as they are practical with a vast array of styles to suit everyone. From under £20 to down-filled jackets costing hundreds, it really is very hard to distinguish, so just shop within your budget and know you are on trend without breaking the bank.

Military coats are popular at the moment and if you find a simple military style, I would suggest you settle for ‘less is more’. The epaulettes and braids alongside gold buttons all look impressive, but you may get bored easily, and carrying a shoulder bag can be tricky with too much decoration.

Soft, muted colours are great to see on coats this year. Amid a sea of browns, greys and blacks, there are soft pinks as well as blues, greens and taupe. All these shades can help lift our mood during a long dreary winter.

No matter what you choose to buy, always remember fashion should be fun as well as practical – when we enjoy what we wear it radiates through!