The traditional end to the London Season used to be August 12th - aka the 'Glorious Twelfth' - when the upper echelons of society would hang up their party attire and head back to their country estates for a busy programme of shooting and entertaining at home. These days however, there is no such distinction (other than shooting season still starting on the 12th) as the city continues to provide entertainment year round. In fact, autumn is our favourite season, providing cooler climes , plenty of events, and umpteen opportunities to wear new season collections. Hence we've compiled a short list of must-see events this autumn that will give you every opportunity to dress up and feel fabulous.
Menswear
On the subject of dressing up, early autumn can often be quite tricky for both men and women given that we sometimes find ourselves blessed with hot summer days followed by more autumn-like temperatures. For smart formal events that require black tie, our Hampton dinner jacket for men offers some reprieve to warmer climes thanks to the extremely breathable wool with silk facings. It's surprisingly lightweight, while temperature-regulating qualities of the wool and second-to-none.
Black Hampton |
Black Hampton Wool |
Black Duchesse Satin |
For less formal outings, our linen shirts are an excellent formula for autumnal weather. Linen, while usually prescribed for summer outfits, is actually a great option for autumn too, since it is breathable, lightweight, and thus good for layering over if the weather cools. We have cut our linen shirts in a traditional style with a classic spear collar that has a solid construction to it, rather than the typical soft roll of most casual linen shirts. This way, you can wear it with a suit and tie if needs be, or collar open and casual with a pair of chinos and loafers.
Pink Colne Linen |
White Colne Linen |
Frejus Blue Colne |
Womenswear
This time of year is still perfect for our linen coats, which are extremely versatile whether indoors or out. Linen is a beautiful and functional fabric with excellent temperature regulating qualities while also being extremely lightweight, which is just what you need for a semi-formal or formal event in autumn. We are currently in the last days of our sale, with many of this season's favourites at sizeable discounts, providing an excellent opportunity to invest in a timeless linen coat.
Westminster Coat Khaki |
Westminster Coat Plum |
Westminster Coat |
For less formal events, there is nothing quite like our Serena Circle dress to make you feel both elegant and playful. Featuring a large scoop neck and circle skirt, it's a beautifully flattering formula cut in luxurious silk georgette. It's extremely versatile to style, too. You can wear with a cropped jacket or oversized blazer for a more fashion-forward aesthetic, or pair it with a longer linen jacket for a more classic appeal.
Serena Longer Circle |
Serena Circle Dress |
Serena Circle Dress |
The Events
BFI London Film Festival, 5-16 October
Headquartered at the British Film Institute on London's iconic Southbank, the film festival never fails to deliver whether you're an avid film buff or otherwise. Now expanded to cinemas all over London, this season's festival promises to be one of the best, with the pinnacle of the fortnight being a European premiere of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, the sequel to the extremely popular whodunnit, Knives Out starring Daniel Craig.
Frieze London and Frieze Masters, 12-16 October
The art world once again descends on Regent's Park this October for the always hotly anticipated Frieze London and Frieze Masters art fairs. Bringing together over 280 galleries from 42 countries, with specially curated sections, the two fairs will celebrate the creative spirit of the city, which will also include a free sculpture exhibition in the park, featuring a line-up of 19 international artists. Frieze London is always a who's who of art world notables, fashion folk, and celebrities so make sure you dress up for the occasion!
EFG London Jazz Festival, 11-20 November
Jazz heads will descend upon multiple locations across the capital as some of the world's finest and most creative musicians showcase their extraordinary talents. This year marks the festival's 30th birthday so expect a celebratory mood! The line-up is as good as ever, featuring the likes of the Ron Carter Quartet, Kurt Elling, Byron the Aquarius, Tord Gustavsen Trio, Binker Golding, Fatoumata Diawara with Strings, plus so many more.
Last Night of the Proms, Saturday 10th September
The Last Night of the Proms is your best excuse to dress up in September as one of the most recognisable and cherished events on the calendar comes to a raucous close. This year, BBC Symphony Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Dalia Stasevska returns to host a concert that stars soprano Lise Davidsen and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason in party pieces by Verdi, Wagner and Coleridge-Taylor before launching into all of the traditional Last Night favourites.
Milton Avery Retrospective, Royal Academy, until 16 October
Is there was ever an artist to put a smile on your face, it's American colourist Milton Avery. The Royal Academy is running a retrospective on the American painter's brilliant body of work that is avant-garde, innovative, clever and fun all at once. Through "harmonious colour and simplified forms", Avery developed a cult following, with avid admirers of his work including the abstract expressionists Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman. There's something wonderfully childlike about Avery's ouvre that never fails to put you in good spirits.
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