There’s something about autumn that makes me want to slow down a little. The days get shorter, the weather becomes an excuse for layers, and suddenly spending an afternoon wandering around a bookshop, finding a cosy café and settling down with a good book feels like the perfect way to spend a few hours.
Poetcore
It’s probably why I’ve been enjoying the Poetcore trend so much. Inspired by books, writers, old libraries and a slightly nostalgic sense of dressing, it feels less like following a fashion trend and more like putting together an outfit that suits the things you actually enjoy doing.
For me, that meant heading into town and to one of my favourite bookshops in Cardiff for some browsing, dressed in some of my favourite pieces from Very.
The starting point for this outfit was the White Stuff Cole trench coat. I love the classic shape and the fact that it works just as well thrown over everyday clothes as it does when you want to make a little more effort. A trench coat feels like one of those pieces that never really goes out of style, and it fits perfectly with the slightly literary, vintage-inspired feel of Poetcore.
Underneath, I wore a simple brown Friends Like These Henley crew top, teamed with the Very Collection ultra-wide-leg trousers in olive. The combination of brown and olive feels particularly autumnal without being too obvious, and I love the relaxed shape of the trousers. They make the outfit feel comfortable enough for wandering around town while still looking put together.
And then there are the shoes…
I’m slightly obsessed with these cow-print Clarks Torhill Penny loafers. Loafers are such an easy way to bring that classic, academic feel into an outfit, and there are so many different loafers to choose from if you want to try the look yourself. The cow-print detail adds a bit of personality and stops the outfit feeling too serious.
Of course, no Poetcore afternoon would be complete without a book.
I took along Dylan Thomas: Under Milk Wood, which seemed particularly appropriate for the occasion. What Welsh home doesn’t own a copy of this classic? There’s something lovely about reading a physical book while sitting in a café, especially when so much of our everyday life happens through screens. Add a coffee and a quiet corner and I’m very easily persuaded to stay for another chapter.
I think that’s what I like most about the Poetcore aesthetic. It isn’t really about dressing as though you’ve stepped straight out of a university library. It’s about taking those little literary details – books, coffee, classic silhouettes, relaxed tailoring and timeless footwear – and incorporating them into clothes you would genuinely wear.
The trench coat, in particular, is one of those pieces I know I’ll reach for again and again. A good trench coat can be thrown over jeans and trainers for a casual day, or layered over tailored trousers and loafers when you want something a little more polished.
And perhaps that’s the beauty of this fashion trend: you don’t need a whole new wardrobe to embrace it. A great coat, a pair of wide-leg trousers, classic loafers and your favourite book are enough to start. For me, it’s less about dressing for a trend and more about creating an outfit that feels right for the moment – whether that’s browsing the shelves of a bookshop, meeting a friend for coffee or simply finding somewhere quiet to read a few pages.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I have another chapter to finish.
This post was written in association with Very