AW26 Trend Edit

AW26 Trend Edit - Stuart Walford 

AW26

This month at Highpoint, we’re celebrating the arrival of winter, my favourite season of the year. After all, who doesn’t love an excuse to layer up, stay cosy, and break out a fabulous coat?

I’m here to guide you through the season ahead with practical styling ideas that make dressing for winter both effortless and considered.

The good news? Transitioning your wardrobe from spring/summer into autumn/winter is

often much simpler than you think. With the right foundations, most warm-weather pieces can be reworked through strategic layering and thoughtful accessories. A summer dress, for example, can easily become the base of a winter outfit when styled as a skirt and paired with warm layers on top.

You’ve probably heard the term “capsule wardrobe” thrown around by stylists, but what does it actually mean?

Studies suggest we wear roughly 20% of our wardrobes 80% of the time. Whether it’s impulse purchases, trend-driven shopping, irresistible sales, or simply having too many options in an overflowing wardrobe, many of us end up reaching for the same pieces on repeat. This is where a thoughtfully curated capsule wardrobe can make getting dressed feel significantly easier.

The key thing to remember is that a capsule wardrobe looks different for everyone. Its purpose is to work for you by factoring in your personal style, your lifestyle, and your budget. And contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to be a sea of beige. While a few versatile basics are essential, there’s still plenty of room for personality.

For AW26, these are the foundation pieces I recommend for building a wardrobe that feels timeless, functional, and effortlessly stylish.

Before we get into the specifics, my biggest piece of advice is to pay attention to fit and fabrication. These are the items that will become the backbone of your wardrobe, so they should withstand countless wears and washes. I’m a huge advocate for wearing what you love as often as possible (I’m a proud outfit repeater!) and perhaps that’s the 20/80 statistic proving itself.

The Trench Coat

My first recommendation is a long trench coat. It’s an evergreen classic for a reason: it works over virtually everything and transitions seamlessly between seasons, making it one of the smartest investments you can make.

I personally favour an oversized silhouette that allows for plenty of layering. This season, classic camel and beige options from Aje and Stylerunner are standouts, while leather trenches from Cue, Sheike and Forever New offer a more edgy and directional take.  Wear one over activewear for errands or drape it over tailoring with a knit casually thrown

across the shoulders. The styling possibilities are endless.

Funnel-Neck Outerwear

Funnel necks are having a major moment this season, appearing across almost every category of outerwear.

I particularly love a funnel-neck bomber or leather jacket. Look to Glassons, Zara, Stylerunner, Witchery or Seed for great options. If a high neckline feels overwhelming, simply leave the zip slightly undone to create more space around the neck and collarbone.

The Boxy Blazer

A boxy blazer is part of my daily uniform. It’s one of those pieces that instantly makes me feel polished, even when I’m wearing a hoodie or everyday denim underneath.

Throw one over a summer dress, pair it with tailored trousers (invest in great co-ords!) or use it to elevate a casual outfit. It’s a wardrobe workhorse that will carry you far beyond the winter months.

Denim, Denim, Denim

No winter wardrobe is complete without great denim.

While denim trends evolve every season, my advice is simple: wear the silhouette that makes you feel most confident. Whether that’s a barrel leg, relaxed fit, slim cigarette jean or low rise, the most important factors are fit and comfort.

Don’t underestimate the value of a good tailor for adjusting hems, although many denim retailers now offer in-house alterations (see Uniqlo). For timeless appeal, you can’t go past classic indigo denim. It feels clean, polished and endlessly versatile.

If you're looking for something different, brown denim co-ords from Nude Lucy are a fresh alternative, while bouclé denim from Witchery offers a more elevated texture. Tailored jeans with front creases or pleats are another strong option for a refined finish.

Knitwear Essentials

Knitwear is admittedly a weak spot in my own wardrobe this season, but for affordable quality, I consistently recommend Uniqlo and Muji.

A lightweight crewneck knit is one of the hardest-working pieces you can own. It layers effortlessly under coats and blazers, works draped over the shoulders, and can even be tied around the waist for an easy styling trick.

While chunky knits deliver maximum cosiness, never underestimate these quieter wardrobe heroes. They help connect your outfits and unlock endless styling combinations.

The Perfect Shirt

A crisp, well-tailored shirt might not be the most exciting purchase, but it could be one of the most valuable.   When shopping, I look for oversized cuffs, elongated collars, quality cotton fabrication, and a beautifully curved hem. Structure is key.

Style it loosely over fitted denim or tailored trousers, wear it partially buttoned for a relaxed feel, or experiment with a wrap tuck by crossing the front panels before tucking them in. It also works beautifully untucked over more delicate pieces, such as embellished skirts or those lace-trim slip skirts we carried over from spring and summer.

Winter Footwear

When it comes to footwear, three styles dominate this season: a sleek leather loafer, a practical cold-weather boot, and a simple suede or leather slipper.

Slim loafers are edging out chunkier styles, while boots with micro heels and flat soles continue to trend. Billini, Steve Madden, Tony Bianco and Betts all have strong offerings this season.

The best winter wardrobe isn’t necessarily the biggest, it’s the one that works hardest. By investing in versatile, well-fitting pieces that genuinely suit your lifestyle, getting dressed becomes simpler, more stylish, and far less overwhelming.

Think of these wardrobe essentials as your foundation, not the finished product. Personality is still very much encouraged. Accessories are where the magic happens, whether it’s a bold belt, a great bag, layered jewellery, a colourful scarf or the perfect pair of shoes. By keeping your core wardrobe timeless and interchangeable, you can reinvent your outfits all season long while still staying true to your personal style.