“Autumn is the season that teaches us that change can be beautiful.”; Wishlist October 2026
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There is that one moment in the year when I suddenly lose interest in sandals, small summer bags, and wearing as little fabric as possible. It usually happens sometime in late September. The first leaves are on the ground, the mornings are a bit cooler again, and that is when the autumn season officially begins in my mind—and, of course, my October wishlist along with it. I have to admit, though: autumn makes it particularly hard for me to stay sensible every year. In summer, I feel like I only need three white dresses, a small bag, and sandals to be happy.
In autumn, however, I suddenly want new shoes, bags, jackets, jewelry, and—naturally—at least one more pair of boots. That’s why my October wishlist this time is a pretty good mix of things I’ve actually already bought or ordered and items I’m currently still successfully talking myself out of.
Or at least try to. What I especially love about this autumn is the colors. Chocolate brown is everywhere, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Add to that Bordeaux, dark leather, gold, and warm neutral tones—basically the exact color palette I love wearing in autumn anyway. My October wishlist is therefore defined less by a single trend and more by a feeling: feminine, elegant, and a bit laid-back, yet without making an outfit look like I spent half an hour thinking about it in the morning.
So, here are six items currently at the top of my October wishlist.
1. Big Bags in Chocolate Brown
Let’s start right off with a topic where I have absolutely no self-control: handbags.
Small bags are beautiful. They look elegant, instantly make an outfit a bit more chic, and—theoretically—force you to carry only the essentials. Theoretically. In my actual day-to-day life, however, I need my phone, wallet, keys, lip balm, makeup, sunglasses, headphones, and about ten other things that I convince myself in the morning I’ll definitely need later in the day. That’s why I’m currently loving larger shoulder bags again.
And naturally, one of them—in chocolate brown—had to make it onto my October wishlist.
I just bought a large brown shoulder bag from Mango, and I already love it. The problem? Since then, I’ve been spotting even more brown bags everywhere that I’d love to have, too. Ideally, I’d probably buy them all. My only natural enemy in this matter is my handbag closet, which is already on the verge of exploding. So perhaps this is the moment I should practice a little restraint. Perhaps. In any case, I think chocolate brown is perfect for autumn. It looks softer than black but is just as easy to style. I particularly love brown paired with cream, beige, black, denim, and, of course, bordeaux. Plus, a large brown bag can instantly elevate even a very simple outfit.
That’s why I’m picking out three different large bags for my October wishlist—big enough for everyday use, yet elegant enough not to look like a laptop bag.
2. Statement Rings
If there’s one type of jewelry I’m loving right now, it’s rings. Not necessarily ten delicate rings worn all at once, but pieces that really stand out.
I love wearing gold anyway, and I find that slightly bolder jewelry pairs especially well with the darker colors of autumn. A beautiful ring works just as well with a simple knit sweater as it does with an evening dress or an oversized leather jacket. That’s exactly why statement rings have made it onto my October wish list. I like designs that have a bit of substance without looking clunky. Organic shapes, curved gold, or a unique detail are often all it takes. Especially when the rest of the outfit is kept simple, I like letting the jewelry command a little more attention.
And speaking of hands, a matching manicure is naturally part of the autumn experience for me.
Bordeaux is probably the most obvious choice—yet I love it just as much every year. I’m also a fan of chocolate brown, dark cherry red, or a polished nude. You don’t really need complicated nail art; beautifully filed nails, a rich color, and a few gold rings are all it takes.
That’s why my October wishlist includes three statement rings that capture exactly that vibe.
3. Ballerinas & Mary Janes
There are trends that take me a while to warm up to. And then there are trends where I know instantly: Yes. That’s so me.
Ballet flats and Mary Janes definitely fall into the latter category. I love feminine shoes anyway, but at the same time, I don’t want to walk around Vienna in high heels every day. That’s exactly why ballet flats and Mary Janes strike the perfect balance for me right now. They look polished and feminine, yet they’re practical enough for everyday life. I’ve even ordered a pair for my October wishlist: burgundy Mary Janes. And yes, naturally, those are the ones that have to be included in this post.
For me, burgundy is currently one of those colors that makes even a very simple outfit instantly look like autumn. Black trousers, a white shirt, a blazer, and burgundy Mary Janes—honestly, you don’t need much else.
However, what I’m still missing is a brown pair. Chocolate brown would fit my autumn wardrobe perfectly and—alarmingly—look amazing with that new Mango bag. So, I can already see where this is heading. For my October wishlist, I therefore want to showcase three different options: the burgundy Mary Janes I’ve already ordered, a lovely brown pair, and a pair of classic ballet flats. Ideally, they should be feminine, clean-lined, and free of excessive detailing.
4. Oversized Leather Jackets
As much as I love elegant coats, I find myself drawn much more to leather jackets this autumn.
And by that, I don’t necessarily mean the classic, fitted black biker jacket that everyone probably had in their wardrobe at some point. Right now, I prefer leather jackets that are oversized, more relaxed, and a bit cooler. That’s exactly why they simply have to be on my October wishlist. What I love most about them is the contrast. I probably wouldn’t style an oversized leather jacket with a full-on rock-chic look; instead, I’d pair it with feminine pieces—wearing it over a dress or with a skirt, ballet flats, or Mary Janes. That way, the look loses that harsh biker vibe and feels much more modern to me.
Black always works, of course. But „chocolate brown“ has completely won me over by now, too. A brown leather jacket with a bit of a vintage vibe, a cream-colored top underneath, and dark jeans or a skirt? That’s my kind of autumn. I could picture a bordeaux one, too—though I should probably start accepting that my entire October wishlist consists of just three colors. But if it works, it works. That’s why I want to pick three different styles of jackets: an oversized black one, a brown one, and a model that stands out a bit more thanks to its cut or color.
5. Charlotte Tilbury
I love makeup. But I also love sleep.
And on some mornings, sleep definitely wins. That’s exactly why, for my October wishlist, I don’t want to showcase a dramatic new makeup collection or ten different products. I want something that’s likely much closer to my actual daily routine: a quick, beautiful base. I really like the „clean girl“ look—but only when it stays truly clean and uncomplicated. I don’t want to use 14 products in the morning just to end up looking like I’m barely wearing any makeup. The idea is simply: beautiful skin, a bit of a glow, a fresh complexion—and that’s it.
Especially in October—when the weather turns damp, mornings are chilly, and I spend the rest of the day in heated rooms—I don’t want a heavy layer of makeup on my face. Yet, I still want to feel beautiful and polished, even when I only have a few minutes in the morning. That’s when I immediately think of Charlotte Tilbury.
For this part of my October wishlist, I’ve chosen three products that combine to create an effortless „clean girl“ base: something for an even, glowing complexion; a product that instantly refreshes the face; and a third to provide that final „I actually slept eight hours“ effect. Even if that might be a lie. The goal is a look I can create quickly in the morning that still makes me feel instantly more put-together. No full glam, no complicated contouring—just fresh, feminine, and polished.
6. Boots, ankle boots
And then we come to the point where autumn truly feels like autumn to me: boots.
Maybe it’s because I’ve watched too many TV series, but the moment I see knee-high boots, skirts, coats, and tights, my mind instantly goes to *Gossip Girl*. And that is exactly the vibe I’m aiming for with the final part of my October wishlist. There is just something incredibly beautiful about autumn fashion for me. A short skirt with tights and knee-high boots. A dress paired with a coat and boots. An elegant ankle boot worn with tailored trousers. Suddenly, you can layer pieces again, and an outfit automatically looks more interesting.
Perhaps it’s the Vienna version of my personal Upper East Side fantasy.
What I also love about boots is that you can create completely different looks with them. A slim, knee-high style instantly looks feminine and elegant. A classic ankle boot works for everyday wear almost every time. And a slightly more casual boot adds a cool edge to even a very chic outfit.
That’s why I want to showcase exactly these three styles in my October wishlist. And if I happen to find a pair that transports me—in my mind—to the Upper East Side, coffee-to-go in hand and wearing the perfect coat, even though in reality I’m probably just waiting for the subway somewhere in Vienna, then it has served its purpose.
My October mood
Looking at my October wishlist, I realize just how distinct my autumn style is shaping up to be this year.
Chocolate brown. Bordeaux. Black. Gold. Oversized bags. Feminine shoes. Oversized leather. Glowy skin. And, of course, boots. I don’t want to chase after a single trend this autumn. Instead, I prefer picking out specific pieces that are currently in vogue but still fit my wardrobe and personal style. That is precisely the point of my October wishlist for me now: not simply wanting everything that pops up, but figuring out which trends I actually want to wear.
Although, when it comes to handbags, I might just generously ignore that whole „not wanting to have everything“ idea. Some items from my October wishlist are already on their way to me or have already found a home in my wardrobe. The brown Mango bag is bought, the burgundy Mary Janes are ordered—and as for the rest, I’ll have to see how long my sense of reason holds out.
My handbag cabinet is probably hoping it lasts longer than I do.
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