If there's one thing we can never have too many of, it's a new transitional dress. One that'll go just as well with those sandals you're still clinging on to (like Pernille, below) as it will with winter coats and new knit layers. Our answer is to get in there early with autumn dresses, some of them have already sold out (and luckily been restocked) already, but you have to be quick. Out of all the pieces on our new-season wish list, these are the dresses we can legitimately wear now, and keep them working in our wardrobes for the rest of the year (only to be smugly brought out again year after year, such is the more classic nature of the pieces we've selected).
Mostly long sleeved and ankle-grazing, the A/W 18 dress has a similar character to the ones we can also wear with tights once the chill sets in. Rendered in muted browns, faded blues and rust reds with prints like animal and polka, there's one to suit every body shape. Our favourites include Topshop's current offering of balloon-sleeved dresses, Arket's wrap knit midi and Uterqüe's delectable selection of printed looks. Scroll down to shop the full edit.
Style Notes: A shirtdress is a piece that will transcend the seasons, as demonstrated by Pernille Teisbaek. Try swapping your strappy sandals with white ankle boots for autumn.
Style Notes: Polka dots are sticking around for the new season. We love the neck-tie detail on Slip Into Style's Nanushka dress.
Style Notes: Everyone went wild for Ghost's Ayla dress this summer. Luckily the look will give you plenty of mileage, due to its long sleeves. All it needs is a chunky knit thrown over the top.
Style Notes: Animal-print lovers can rest happy, as there are plenty of leopard- and zebra-print dresses available for the new season. This Alice Temperley x John Lewis dress would look so good with knee-high tan boots.
Shop the Autumn Dress Edit
Anything belted gets our approval.
Zebra print doesn't have to be monochrome.
You'll be surprised at how versatile a cami dress is - invest, pronto.
You've probably already spotted this on your feed.
Related: All I Have to Say About These High Street Dresses Is "Wow”
Hello, hero dress.
Minimal styling needed with this one.
Yes, yes and yes.
So, chic.
It'll work for this season, and next.
Related: I've Done the Research—These Are the 8 Best Shoes to Wear With Midi Dresses
Pleated, animal and high neck - is there anything this dress can't do?
Add a roll neck underneath with knee high boots for a retro vibe.
We. Are. In. Love.
Trust Whistles to drop yet another killer shirt dress in to our wardrobes.
This dress just looks like autumn.
It comes in a shirt and skirt too, FYI.
This will be a staple all year round.
You'll get all the wear out of this vintage lookalike.
Related: I Swear This High-Street Brand Is Serving Up the Best Dresses This Autumn
Simple, yet effective.
We spy another It dress from Ghost.
So, dreamy.
Up next: 28 H&M pieces that look ultra-expensive.
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