Now, you all know I’m fond of a floral dress. For me, the epitome of autumn style is a cute tea dress, thick tights, a chunky knit and some leather brogues. But ladies, we’re talking about alternative autumnal outfits. And floral dresses in autumn are about as alternative as My Chemical Romance.

French Connection jumpsuit, vintage cardigan, ballet flats c/o Sarenza, H&M ring, ASOS necklace, Primark belt

If you’ve followed me on Twitter for a while, you might recognise this jumpsuit. I first tried it on in summer 2010 (and tweeted a photo of me wearing it) and fell in love, but at £95 it was far too expensive. So I bided my time, watched the sales like a hawk and finally, just after Christmas, spotted it for £20. High five!

I snapped it up and wore it a few times over summer, but I think it works wonderfully as part of my AW wardrobe. I wore it with ballet flats instead of sandals and threw this cuddly mohair cardi over the top (another item from my charity shop knitwear haul, bought for £3.50), but it works equally well with heels and a blazer for a smarter look.

The jumpsuit finishes off four days of alternative autumn outfits – first it was the leather trousers, then the non knee high boots and yesterday, the sequin skirt. So, do you have a favourite? Which would you wear with pleasure, and which have no business in your wardrobe thank-you-very-much?

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Alternative Autumn Essentials series, and the other posts in my AW11 style guide (like my Look Show AW11 round-up and my Wearing the AW Trends guide). If you have, I’d love you to vote for me in the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards in the ‘established fashion blog’ category (where I’m known as Little Bird Fashion for some reason!). The competition is fierce and I’m up against some of my blogging besties, so your vote means a lot. Thank you to everyone who’s voted so far, and to everyone who reads, comments and tweets – big hugs for you all!

The humble pencil skirt is a staple in workwear wardrobes the world over. Most commonly seen in muted tones of black and navy, it’s the perfect partner to a crisp white shirt and a mid-heel court shoe.

Thanks to fabulous ladies like Joan Holloway in Mad Men and Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Secretary, the sensible pencil is shedding its goody-two-shoes image and developing a reputation for being ever-so-slightly sexy. For my third look in the Alternative Autumn Essentials series, I’ve ditched the subtly and gone all-out with sequins. Well, why not?

Zara sequin skirt, cashmere jumper via charity shop, Primark collar, Bertie boots via ASOS, Butler and Wilson ring c/o QVC

I don’t know who came up with the rule that sequins were strictly for eveningwear, but clearly they had never owned a sequin pencil skirt. I plan to wear this every day FOREVER (okay not really, but I am rather fond of it). To tone down the Strictly Come Dancing factor, I paired the skirt with a fine knit cashmere jumper (part of yesterday’s charity shop haul and a steal at £5), added detail with a jewelled collar and finished the look with my beloved ankle boots from yesterday’s post. Not sure about sequins during daylight? Swap the jumper for a grey tee and the boots for heels for a perfect drinks-and-dancing outfit.

What do you think – is the sequin skirt already on your A/W wishlist or is it just too magician’s assistant for you?

Autumnal dressing can get a bit repetitive – we all have the ubiquitous knitted cardigans, wool coats and knee high boots in our wardrobes. So this week I’m choosing my alternative autumn essentials to create a sartorial survival kit that’ll get you through the colder months with style. Chunky knits need not apply.

I guarantee you’ve read at least one ‘guide to the best knee high boots’ feature since September. And as we’re now half way through October, you’re probably on your third. Knee high boots are fashionable favourites for the colder months. They’re classic. An investment. Go with anything. And also, just a tiny bit dull. Yes yes, they’re more suitable than 6in stilettos for trudging through snow, but they don’t excite me. When it comes to shoe porn, the knee high boot isn’t even slightly x-rated.

Bertie boots via ASOS, skirt c/o Motel, Topshop tee, necklace and ring

These sexy little things, on the other hand, get my pulse racing. Ankle boots still have all the practicalities of knee highs, but they’re just so much cooler. This platform pair from Bertie have a chunky heel and a devilish pointed toe which I adore. They add instant style points to the simplest of outfits, giving this girly skirt and colour clash tee combo a high fashion edge. I’ve worn them with everything from jeans to evening dresses – it’s true love!

But what do you think – are ankle boots an edgy alternative to our beloved knee highs? Would you wear them?

PS – The lovely people at Motel are offering a generous 20% off everything on their site with the code STUDENT20, including the mustard yellow skirt I’m wearing here. Off you pop!

Autumnal dressing can get a bit repetitive – we all have the ubiquitous knitted cardigans, wool coats and knee high boots in our wardrobes. So this week I’m choosing my alternative autumn essentials to create a sartorial survival kit that’ll get you through the colder months with style. Chunky knits need not apply.

Okay, okay. I know what you’re thinking. Since when have leather trousers been essential to anything, right? Bear with me. I’m getting to that.

Topshop leather trousers and necklace, Paraphrase jumper via TK Maxx, tee c/o Wildfox, ballet flats c/o Sarenza, Miss Selfridge ring

I bought these leather trousers last year but have rarely worn them because I find them so difficult to style. Skintight leather immediately screams ‘rock chick!’ (or S&M, depending on your personal preferences) – a look I haven’t been able to pull off since I was 15 and Papa Roach were popular. I’m now (nearly) 26 and like girly things like floral tea dresses and faux fur coats. Leather trousers have no business in my wardrobe.

Or at least I thought they didn’t, until I tried them with a fluffy pink jumper, basic ballet flats and simple jewellery. The cute jumper cancels out any biker babe connotations, giving a soft and cuddly edge to an otherwise tough outfit. And leather trousers are a great alternative to jeans, especially if you’re a denim obsessive like me. Still a bit unsure? Wear a longer tee or tunic over the top for extra coverage.

So, do I have you convinced? Have you decided you simply cannot function through autumn without a pair of leather trousers? Are you running to your nearest retail establishment as we speak? Or have you read this entire post with a mental image of Ross from Friends covered in lotion, desperately trying to pull his leather pants back up? Yes well, there is that…

Autumnal dressing can get a bit repetitive – we all have the ubiquitous knitted cardigans, wool coats and knee high boots in our wardrobes. So this week I’m choosing my alternative autumn essentials to create a sartorial survival kit that’ll get you through the colder months with style. Chunky knits need not apply.