Style

Autumn Winter 2025

Words by Jo Elvin

It All Begins at centre:mk!

From cosy plaid knits to the new, luxurious neutral shades, and a quirky bold colour or three, autumn fashion is here! And it all begins at centre:mk, where everything your wardrobe needs is waiting. Introducing my favourite key trends and how I can’t wait to wear them.

Words by Jo Elvin, Former Editor in Chief of Glamour and You Magazine and Lorraine Fashion Presenter.

AW25 Trending Looks

MOCHA

I’m excited about winter’s official ‘hero colour’ and I strongly urge you to join me. Mocha Mousse, Pantone’s ‘Colour of the Year’ is the perfect shade to get our wardrobes snug and autumn-ready. Officially speaking, it’s more on the milky/latte shade of brown, a new, modern neutral. But you can play with a spectrum of browns - from chocolate to tan - and still be beautifully on-trend. It’s the dream colour to blend with pieces you already have. Minimalists can rejoice in mocha’s quiet glamour, particularly when worn in a rich head to toe hue. And what man won’t love the ease of this subtle mix of tonal shades in a ‘one and done’ look? But mocha is magic for maximalists, too, as it works so well with any colour you like, from a vibrant teal to a trending winter pastel like pale yellow.

PLAID

Think plaid and your mind can jump to many things. It’s comforting tins of shortbread, but also the anarchic roar of punk. Its roots are in traditional, sartorial elegance, but it was also the uniform of every 90s fan of grunge. In fact, plaid is possibly fashion’s most chameleonic and tireless player. You could say it’s ‘back’ for winter, but I’d argue it never really goes away. True to form though, plaid is still finding fresh spins on how we should wear it. My best tip for right now? More is more is more. Mash together a riot of different coloured and multi-sized plaid prints. Pair different knits, or a chunky print mini with a bold-check coat. Heck, throw in a fair isle knit for more playfulness and you’ve nailed the 2025, spirited take on plaid - clashy, cheery, a little bit cheeky but always positively chic.

COLOUR BLOCKING

This is where the fashion magpies like me get to really have fun getting dressed. The colour blocking trend is back and bolder than ever. The basic idea? Take two or three different pieces, each a separate bright colour, and throw together in one outfit. The palette is entirely up to you, but my favourite new take for winter is the pairing of slightly ‘off’ 70s-inspired colours, like a moss green with a burgundy or violet. Start with a muted base, like navy, chocolate or burgundy, and layer on something unexpected: maybe a vibrant tomato red, a punchy coral or yes, a wild acid green. And whereas pattern was once shunned by colour block purists, the rulebook’s been thrown out. So add your stripes or checks, and even an assortment of textures. The only limit is your imagination - enjoy being your own blank canvas and mix and match with abandon.