Romantic Autumn Outfits for Petites: The Lover Girl Edit
The Lover Girl Era: A Petite Girl’s Guide to Romantic Autumn Dressing
Lace, satin, feminine silhouettes and a little ’90s romance. This autumn, we're dressing like the main character.
The thing you need to know about me is that I’m firmly in my lover girl era.
I absolutely love autumn. But you will not find me spending the season exclusively in chunky high-neck jumpers, baggy jeans and oversized puffer jackets.
Don't get me wrong. There's a time and a place for a cosy knit. But what I find most exciting is the romantic side of autumn fashion.
I want lace, satin and outfits that look like they belong in a ’90s love story.
I want the wardrobe of a woman who spends her afternoons browsing bookshops, has an inexplicably beautiful collection of vintage jewellery and might, at any moment, bump into the love of her life on a rainy London street.
Welcome to the Lover Girl Era. And yes, we're doing it in petite sizes.
The Lover Girl Edit: Our Top Picks
A little lace, a little romance and plenty of pieces worth falling for. These are the eight favourites leading our autumn edit, from beautifully shaped dresses to embroidered denim and delicate details.
1. The ’90s Romance Wardrobe
There's a particular kind of autumn outfit that feels as though it belongs in a ’90s romantic comedy.
A beautiful dress. A pair of boots. Perhaps a scarf thrown on as you're rushing out of the door to meet someone terribly interesting.
Think Notting Hill meets Practical Magic, with a wardrobe full of romantic dresses, beautiful boots and just enough whimsy to make everyday life feel a little more cinematic.
Romantic dresses, beautiful boots and a few unexpected details. Here are the pieces bringing that ’90s love-story feeling into the present day.
2. Lace & Romantic Tops
There is something about lace that makes even the simplest outfit feel a little more romantic.
The beauty of these pieces is that you don't have to dress head to toe in romance to make them work.
A lace-trimmed camisole with straight-leg jeans and ankle boots? Lovely.
A pretty blouse with tailored trousers? Effortlessly feminine.
And a little velvet for an autumn evening? Always.
Shop delicate lace, beautiful velvet and a few pieces that deserve to be taken somewhere lovely.
3. Satin & Slips
I particularly love satin in autumn, when you can play with the contrast between delicate fabrics and cosy layers.
A lace-trimmed slip dress beneath a soft cardigan. A satin blouse with your favourite jeans. A beautiful midi dress with suede boots and a coat thrown over your shoulders.
It's feminine without feeling fussy, and dressed up without necessarily being dressy.
And that's what makes these pieces so useful. You can wear them for dinner, of course, but they're just as lovely for an afternoon wandering around town, provided you bring the right layers.
Shop soft satin, delicate lace trims and pieces made for both candlelit evenings and perfectly ordinary Tuesdays.
4. Fantasy-Fiction Dressing
I have a confession.
A small part of me would quite like to dress as though I'm the heroine of a fantasy novel.
And honestly, I think a little storybook romance deserves a place in an everyday wardrobe.
Think embroidered dresses, floaty skirts, beautiful florals and fabrics that move when you walk. Pieces with a little drama, a little softness and just enough whimsy to make you feel as though you've wandered into the opening chapter of something wonderful.
Shop dreamy florals, delicate embroidery and a little wardrobe magic.
5. Accessories & Little Luxuries
There’s something so lovely about embracing the romantic things in life in your daily routine.
A beautiful necklace you love. A perfume that makes you feel instantly more put together. A gorgeous candle, a roaring fire, a good romance novel.
Or buying yourself flowers on a completely ordinary Wednesday.
And I firmly believe you don't need to wait for a special occasion to do that.
Wear the lipstick. Light the candle. Put on the jewellery, even if your only plans involve a coffee, a bookshop and a trip to M&S.
Actually, that sounds like a rather perfect afternoon.
Shop the finishing touches, the thoughtful treats and the little things that make an ordinary day feel rather beautiful.
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EXPLORE THE PETITE BRANDS GUIDEThe Lover Girl Era Is About More Than Clothes
If there's one thing I want you to take away from this little love letter to autumn dressing, it's this:
You don't need a special occasion to wear something beautiful.
You don't need dinner reservations to put on the lovely dress. You don't need a date to wear your favourite perfume. And you certainly don't need to wait for someone to buy you flowers.
Sometimes the occasion is simply that it's Tuesday, the leaves are turning golden and you fancy feeling a little more like yourself.
I think we can forget that clothes are allowed to be fun.
Somewhere between getting dressed for work, checking the weather and trying to find jeans that actually fit, the joy of putting together an outfit can get a little lost.
And as petite women, we're often so busy wondering whether something will fit properly that we forget to ask a much more interesting question.
Do I absolutely love it?
Does it make me want to find an excuse to leave the house?
Does it make an ordinary afternoon feel a little more special?
Would I wear it to browse a bookshop, drink coffee by a rainy window or meet someone for a spontaneous glass of wine?
Because that's the wardrobe I want.
A Little More Romance, Please
So this autumn, I'm making a small promise to myself.
To wear the pretty things.
To stop saving my favourite outfits for occasions that may never arrive.
To buy the flowers, light the candle and take the scenic route home when the leaves look particularly lovely.
And to remember that being romantic doesn't have to mean being in love with someone.
Sometimes it simply means being a little more in love with your own life.
Here's to the Lover Girl Era.
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Romantic Autumn Outfits for Petites: The Lover Girl Edit