Jess Cartner-Morley’s November style essentials: fancy flats, sexy knits and a Christmassy pigeon

Whether it’s a two-in-one coat or a truly delicious handbag, add some fun to getting dressed during the cold, dark months with our expert’s favourites

The best women’s shoes and boots for autumn

The clocks have gone back. The mornings are cold and the evenings are dark. The world seems to be doing its level best to discourage any fashion ambition beyond the need to stay alive and warm enough to function.

But clothes – even in winter – are not just about staying alive. They are about staying alive alive. Alive inside. So this month’s edit is about finding the fun in getting dressed when the weather is trying to discourage you. There is a pink jumper that manages to be both cosy and, well, slutty; a £16 henley that looks considerably more expensive than it is; and a skirt I have been stalking since the summer and can finally report back on. There are also ballet pumps with exactly the right amount of grownup elegance, a sweatshirt that makes a persuasive case for elevating the everyday, and a necklace to bring a bit of sparkle back to the proceedings.

For more, read the best women’s shoes and boots for autumn and the expert guide to buying clothes that last