This month’s new styles, high-street steals and back-to-school treats

I love summer, except for the last part of August, which I find really melancholy. The juice has been squeezed out of summer, the grass sun-faded, holidays in the rear-view mirror. I’m happy for September to roll around.

With the first cool days come the return of layering, which is when we start to see new styling tricks on the streets. And fashion shows start again soon, with lots of new designers bringing fresh ideas. It’s going to be a fun month.

Also, you don’t have to be going back to school to buy yourself a back-to-school treat. Read on for the high-street steals of the moment and the zeitgeisty styling tricks to jump on. Sharpened pencils at the ready.

Is it Schiaparelli? No, it’s Mango

Knitted jacket with jewelled buttons
£59.99 at Mango

Eye-catching, witty buttons have been a signature detail of the house of Schiaparelli for a century. Elsa herself commissioned none other than Alberto Giacometti to make buttons in the shape of birds and figures in the 1930s; current designer Daniel Roseberry fastens his pieces with golden ears, jewelled keyholes or coins. So the five different buttons on this Mango jacket give it a distinct “Paris fashion week” sensibility. Sound the high-street bargain klaxon.

Wearable barrel-leg jeans really do exist

Authentic barrel-leg jeans
£95 at Whistles

I get asked about jeans a lot at the moment. Mostly by women who know that their go-to straight or skinny jeans look old-fashioned, but struggle to find loose-fit versions that look good if you aren’t 19 with giraffe legs.

Strong recommend for these Whistles jeans, which I bought recently and am so pleased with. They’re non-stretch – essential for a fit that holds shape – with a definite but not-over-the-top curve silhouette at the hip. By the way, they look cropped on the model, but on 5’5” me they’re a perfect top-of-the-shoe length.

My favourite summer bracelet

Bohemian amour bracelet
£45 at L’Atelier 73

I am a big fan of bracelets and rings: it’s so cheering to catch a glimpse of them while you’re typing or cooking. Earrings and necklaces are lovely too, but you only see those in the mirror, right?

I’ve been wearing my L’Atelier 73 bracelet for the past few months. It’s charmingly holiday-ish – the mixed textures, the barrel charm, the colour – but elegant, too. Not just a summer fling, I’m sticking with it to bring a much-needed dash of boho free spirit to hard-working September.

Classic pointelle school socks

Pointelle-knit socks
£4.99 at H&M

When Bella Freud welcomed Valentino designer Alessandro Michele on to her podcast recently, he was wearing classic pointelle white ankle socks, and they bonded over how much they love them. I hadn’t thought about them since wearing them at school, but I went straight out and bought some. I’m wearing them today with my dark denim Whistles jeans (see above) and loafers.

Socks are very important in fashion right now, so this is an excellent style update for a fiver: Alessandro’s were Valentino, but mine are by H&M. Cautionary note: stick to ankle-length, not knee-high, or the school uniform vibe gets a bit icky.

Ethically sourced, affordable cashmere

Candy floss long-sleeve T-shirt
£145 at Jean and Temple

Miranda Waller, founder of small British cashmere brand Jean and Temple, designs her pieces at home in Suffolk. The knitwear is made in a small, family-run factory in Nepal, with oversight of working conditions and animal welfare in the yarn production.

A blend of 70% silk with 30% cashmere gives a luxe finish that’s useful all year round and featherlight, so the fabric drapes elegantly with no bulk. I love the Jean and Temple cashmere and silk long-sleeve T-shirt in candy floss pink (it also comes in blue, grey and black).

What’s hot – and what’s most definitely not – this week

Going up

Midimalism | Fun new word to describe something, well, normal.

Clothes swapping | Publicity stunt or sustainable statement? Either way, Julia Roberts and Amanda Seyfried sharing the same Versace look during the Venice film festival got the fashion brand’s new incoming creative director, Dario Vitale, a lot of front pages.

Knee-high boots | It’s officially Christian girl autumn.

Going down

Tomatoes | Root vegetable season is here, and so is Loewe’s beetroot-scented candle.

Poker | Put down the chips. Celebrities including Taylor Swift and Trevor Noah have been spotted at Uno-themed game nights. Gotcha!

Lafufus | Never mind fake Labubus: the easiest bag charm to DIY is Anya Hindmarch’s box inspired by Sun-Maid raisins. Just head to your local supermarket, where a pack of six will set you back £2.80 – saving you a casual £192.