I Just Did a Huge H&M Order for Autumn—These Are the Pieces I'm Keeping

When I say my fellow Who What Wear UK editors and I are currently losing it over H&M's new autumn collection, I'm not exaggerating. For the last couple of weeks, the high-street hero has been starting to drop some seriously expensive-looking buys into its new-in section, and with every arrival, a flurry of excited messages goes around our Slack channels. And it's not just us falling for this edit; these new-in pieces are flying out of stock faster than you can add to cart. 

This dreamy cardigan sold out before it even arrived, but I'll be keeping an eye out for restocks for you. 

It's clear that H&M is focusing on the classics for autumn 2023 (which automatically wins points from us). We're talking cream knits, camel coats and check blazers, but what's impressing us most is the modern takes on these timeless designs to make them appear so much more elevated than their price tags suggest. Oversized silhouettes, thoughtful detailing and premium fabrics are just some of the ways H&M is rivalling our favourite designer brands for autumn. 

Of course, we're always cautious when shopping on the high street, taking care to consider the quality and longevity of the more affordable pieces we do end up adding to our wardrobes. We're also aware that it can be very easy to make high-street items look great online, even when they're not so good in person. And whilst there are always gems to be found, it can be easy to get carried away with the excitement of an affordable purchase.

So, taking one for the team, I decided to do a big order of what I consider to be the best (i.e. most expensive-looking) pieces from H&M's new autumn collection. I've tried them all on and reviewed them honestly below, including only the items I believe are genuinely worth the hype. For reference, I'm a size 10 (somewhere between a "small" and a "medium"), and 5'2", and I've included the sizes I ordered below as well. Keep scrolling to read my verdict. 

1. Cashmere Jumper

My Review: I admit it, I've fallen head over heels for this jumper. Yes, it's a bit on the pricier side of H&M, but it's part of the brand's premium collection and it's made with a blend of cashmere that you can really feel. I'm so impressed by the wide sleeves and ribbed collar and cuffs that give it that designer-looking edge. I sized down as I knew this was going to be roomy, and it was perfect. 

Jumper Size: XS

2. Baggy Jeans

My Review: A moment for these jeans, please. Although I'm 5'2", I didn't feel like they completely swamped me like baggy jeans normally do, and I love that they're fitted around the hips to balance out the looser legs. I think they look great paired with these more "feminine" pointed flats (which I'd recommend sizing down in if you're between sizes, to make sure the strap stays on your ankle), but they'd also look great with ballet pumps.

Jeans Size: 10 

Shoes Size: 4

3. Striped Jumper

My Review: Everyone could use a great striped jumper in their autumn wardrobe, though they're actually just as useful in winter and spring, too. Obviously, my heart still lies with Toteme's classic version that remains on my wish list, but I thought this was a great high-street alternative. It's a thinner knit so won't be super warm, but it's easily layered under a coat, which I like. 

Jumper Size: Medium

4. Grey Coat

My Review: £190 is not cheap for H&M, so I was keen to put this premium wool coat to the test. Honestly, I thought it did look really expensive on, and wrap coats like this are completely timeless, so it's definitely not a bad investment. It comes up slightly oversized, which I often look for on the high street as I think it makes pieces look more premium, and I love the maxi length—a huge trend in outerwear for 2023. An investment it may be, but it's one that looks like it could well cost a lot more. 

Coat Size: Small

5. Blazer Shirt

My Review: As blazers go, I usually skip H&M in favour of brands like COS and ARKET, which offer better quality and fits that really stand the test of time. However, if you're looking for an affordable version that does the job, you can't really argue with this £38 number. The fabric isn't anything to write home about, and it's more flimsy than I usually like my blazers to be, but the boxy, '80s-style shape makes it look a lot cooler and more expensive than it is. I love to pair these brown-toned, heritage checks with blue shirts for autumn, and this satin style did the trick. As I'm only 5'2", both were quite long in the body for me in a size medium, so I'd probably opt for a small or even extra small, but consider me impressed all the same. 

Blazer Size: Medium

Shirt Size: Medium

My Review: I had to try the satin shirt in this clean stripe as well, and I actually preferred it tucked in like this. It's so versatile and a piece I know I'll wear on repeat this season and beyond. 

Shirt Size: Medium

6. Wool Coat

My Review: I'll start this by saying that this coat is very chic, but it's also very oversized, especially on my petite frame. I'd definitely take a size down, and even then it would probably feel a little too big for me without having the option to belt it in the middle. For this reason, I think I'll keep the grey coat over this, however, when I played around with the styling, balancing the proportions with leggings and rolling the sleeves up, I did love the look of it. The wool-blend is buttery soft and the creamy colour is just gorgeous for layering up with other neutrals and an autumn palette in the coming months. 

Coat Size: Small

Shoes Size: 4

7. Wrap Jacket

My Review: Now, this I loved. This shorter style is made of the same beautifully soft wool material and gives a similar luxurious look with its oversized shape and soft folds (it's giving The Row vibes), but without the maxi length that swamped me a little. The belt is great for cinching in the waist and creating shape, but I loved it hanging open as well. It's very Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and that's honestly all I can ever ask for. 

Coat Size: Small

8. Cropped Trousers

My Review: I've heard so many great things about these best-selling trousers and seen so many people wearing them, that I can't believe it's taken me this long to try them for myself. They're a style that H&M always has online, with new colours and stock levels arriving seasonally. I love this expensive-looking mole-brown colour for autumn, but it's the fit that impressed me moat. They fit true to size and have a little stretch in the back, so they're extremely comfortable. I know full-length, wide-leg trousers are everywhere right now, but cropped styles like this are just so easy to wear and always look polished worn with loafers or ballet flats (arguably the two most important shoe styles you can own right now). And at this price? Not only am I keeping these, but I'll be ordering them in more colours, too. 

Trousers Size: 10

9. Chunky Jumper

My Review: Possibly my favourite piece from this entire order, this chunky, cosy, cashmere-blend jumper is everything I could ask for from an autumn knit. It feels super soft (not itchy—yuck), and the oversized silhouette makes it look like it could be designer (I certainly wouldn't guess this was from H&M). I love it with these jeans but it would also work dressed up with tailoring. Now, if autumn could just hurry along…

Jumper Size: Small

Next Up: I Just Tested H&M's Cult Wide-Leg Trousers for Autumn—Here's My Verdict