Burgundy is one of my favourite colours. This year it has been very plentiful here, with lots of retailers doing burgundy edits. Dark brown, aubergine, wine and raisin have also been available. I love these colours! I’ve been stocking up.

I am super pleased with my new items and have already worn most of them. Some were not essentials (ahem, I did get some burgundy silk mittens) but they all meet the “I love it!” test. My ultimate aim is to have a wardrobe where I love, love, love everything in it.

These are some wears of my new items during May. I enjoy burgundy and brown worn in a moody, tonal way.

1: The dress (Allsaints) is about 2 years old, and I’m ashamed to say this was its first wear. I love the moody abstract pattern but every time I put it on it didn’t feel quite right. It’s partly the colours, which skew a bit grey and cool. The length of the dress was also an issue. Longer than midi but shorter than midaxi. No man’s land. The new burgundy belt (COS) improves things. Firstly, it shortens the dress to a classic midi length. Secondly, the belt, tall burgundy boots (Django & Juliette) and burgundy bag (Zara, last year), warm up the palette. It works much better for me than teaming the dress with black accessories. I wore this to dinner on a mild night. When it gets colder I will wear a burgundy or aubergine pullover over the top, which will be even better because it will get the grey away from my face.

2-3: Two everyday outfits featuring new burgundy cargo pants (Zara). Instant workhorse.

4: New dusty aubergine knit top (Zara). This top won’t be a workhorse but it’s perfect for this time of year when daytime temperatures can still be warmish but days are short and gloomy (only a few days until winter). I was going for a drapey Grecian look. I wore this to lunch with my mum, who didn’t like it

5-6: The new tall burgundy boots, another new burgundy belt (Zara), worn asymmetrically, and new floral skirt (Zara). Burgundy velvet hat (Fallen Broken Street, last year). Burgundy Zara bag (last year). Older deep burgundy silk knit top and new silk mittens (Zara). I wore this to lunch on a mild, drizzly day. I had my packable lightweight burgundy puffer (Uniqlo) in my bag in case needed. A passer-by shouted out a YLF to me

7-9: Everyday outfit. New Witchery top. I bought this as a back up for the Saba top in pic 2 and 5 (which is starting to look a bit shabby). The jeans are slim flares/bootcuts that I dyed plum last year. I wear them slouchy. The jacket is a very old navy Zara jacket that I dyed red. It came out a deep aubergine colour, very similar to the Witchery top. I added a pic with my sleeveless puffer vest underneath for Carol, who was asking how we wear vests for warmth. I find the Uniqlo sleeveless puffers handy for layering under jackets at this time of year. They are lightweight, they don’t add bulk and they are easily stashed away. I also like the little pop of texture they add. Tonal or monochromatic outfits can look flat without texture.

10-11: Back to dressy. New burgundy knit top (Country Road). I already have tops in this colour but I was very attracted to the texture of this one. The knit is fairly open and with bare arms underneath it has an interesting sheer boucle look. The burgundy floral ring (Mimco) is also new. I will add a coat or jacket when it gets cooler.

12: Sequin skirt (Zara, last year) and new leather jacket (Allsaints). Both are more reddish in person (the skirt is a deep wine and the jacket is oxblood). Older dark cherry thumbhole jumper, aubergine Docs (last year), burgundy bag (last year). Vintage Trifari necklace (Etsy). I wore this to dinner on the first really cold* night of the year.

*Australian cold. Not Canadian