Welcome to The Great Try-On. With autumn well and truly in the air, we seized the opportunity to try on some of the best new-in pieces from some of your favourite brands, documenting the process along the way. We believe that the best way to shop online is to see an item IRL and to read candid reviews, so we hope that this leads you to your most successful purchases of the year.
As much as I love a summer spent wrapped in my linens and breezy cotton dresses, by the time September rolls around, I’m beyond ready to embrace the layers. What I’m trying to say is in Gilmore Girls terms I am, in fact, an autumn.
The coats, the cosy knits, the boots! I love them all, and every year my interest is piqued by one brand in particular. Whether it’s a viral pair of suede loafers I can’t seem to shake off my FYP, or a cardigan I repurchase in a new shade because I know from years of enjoying its cosiness, it will see me through another season well. And I’m not alone. When I chat to otherBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK editors about the autumn staples they rely on, Marks and Spencer will always come up in conversation.
It’s the brand I’ve leaned on over the years for the pieces I wear on repeat come winter. I won’t insert a picture (no one needs to see the state of my favourite pair of ballet flats), but I already own plenty of items from M&S that have seen me through the years, which is why I needed to put its latest seasonal collection to the test.
Scroll on for my autumn-ready edit of M&S's latest collection, and sorry to your bank balance in advance.
The Best M&S Buys for Autumn 2025
1. Cropped Jacket + White Tee + Palazzo Jeans + Suede Boots
My Review: If there's one thing autumn calls for, it's a jacket switch-up, and I was pleasantly surprised by the outerwear offering when I walked into M&S this week. From cropped, croc-print PVC pieces to the most gorgeous olive suedette number, I was spoilt for choice when it came to my try-on, but this boxy leather-look piece really stood out. It could be styled with so many outfits, and it's also caught the eye of many of my colleagues (I've already seen it hanging on the coat stand in the office!).
Here, I've paired it with another item I was desperate to try. I've heard a lot about these M&S Palazzo Jeans, so when I saw the new black colourway in my size, I knew I had to style them up. They didn't disappoint. Paired with chic suede, pointed-toe boots and a fun bag (animal-print bags are everywhere this season!), this feels like the perfect do-it-all outfit for autumn.
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2. White Tee + Cashmere Jumper + Bermuda Shorts + Loafers
My Review: An autumn look that has always lived rent-free in my mind is Sally Albright's Bermuda shorts and loafer outfit from When Harry Met Sally. I've wanted to find a good pair of these shorts to try and replicate it, and I was really impressed with this pair from M&S. I sized up from a size 10 to a 12, and I was very happy I did, because they sat nicely on my hips and didn't feel too high-waisted.
In terms of a staple loafer, to me, it doesn't really get better than this brown suede pair. I've been dying to get my hands on them for a few seasons now; they're always coming in and out of stock online, so definitely keep your notifications on! There are always pairs in store in case you can't find them on the site. Another M&S classic I didn't want to pass up trying was this cashmere jumper. I'm a long-time fan of the brand's cashmere selection, and I love this mole shade for autumn. I'm picturing it paired with all the brown in my wardrobe.
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3. Leather Jacket + Pleated Skirt + Knee-High Boots
My Review: I don't ever really think to head to M&S when I'm putting together more "out-out" looks, but as soon as I saw these knee-high riding boots, I knew I wanted to put something together with a short skirt and leather jacket. Again, I'm going to wax lyrical about M&S's jackets this season. For an affordable option, I would definitely consider this boxy, studded faux-leather style. It hits at a really flattering length at the hip, and I could see it becoming a go-to when I'm heading out the door.
Now, the cardigan. I'd already seen this zip-up pocketed style on my TikTok FYP, so when I scouted it out in-store, I was desperate to build an outfit with it. I really love it; the double-zip detail adds a cool styling touch I wouldn't normally expect from M&S. I finished this look off with a small vinyl bag, which is the perfect size for a night out.
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4. Cashmere Knit + Borg Jacket + Cuffed Jeans + Ankle Boots
My Review: We all know by now that brown is big news this autumn; it's the shade I'm seeing fashion people styling with everything. So, for this look, I tried to lean into the colour-drenching trend with these suede ankle boots, which felt super-chic paired with these indigo jeans, and the borg jacket I'm putting money on being a best-seller this season. The gold buttons made it feel a little more luxe than your average high-street buy, and the boots? I can't get them out of my head.
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Finally, a Moment for the Jackets…
Okay, I know I've mentioned the jackets already, but seriously, I think they need their own section. I could have done some serious damage to my bank account with the variety of outfit-making layers I found, from this denim trench to the perfect grown-up olive-green Harrington. I implore you to check them out for yourself.
Shop the Best M&S Jackets:
Shop More of My Favourite M&S Accessories:
Why Trust Us
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.
We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.
