The cardigan that keeps me comfortable without making autumn feel grey

The cardigan that made the change from summer to autumn feel a little easier.

There is always a point in September when you suddenly notice the season has changed.

The mornings are cooler.

The evenings feel noticeably fresher.

And leaving the house in just a blouse or T-shirt no longer feels quite enough.

But I am never ready to disappear into heavy jumpers and dark winter coats just yet.

That is probably what I liked most about the Mabel Striped Knit Cardigan from Merritt London.

It gives me the extra layer I want as the weather cools down, but it still feels cheerful.

The colourful stripes brighten up the simple trousers, jeans and tops I already wear, while the knitted layer makes those colder mornings considerably more comfortable.

It is practical without looking purely practical.

And at this time of year, that is exactly what I want.

The layer I was missing between summer and winter

Just enough for those cooler mornings, without feeling like winter has arrived.

September can be surprisingly difficult to dress for.

At eight in the morning, I want something warm around my shoulders.

By lunchtime, a proper coat would feel completely unnecessary.

And then the temperature drops again as soon as the afternoon disappears.

The Mabel fits neatly into that gap.

I can throw it over a light top when I leave the house, wear it open when things warm up, and button it again when the chill returns.

It gives me enough comfort for the changing weather without making me feel as though I have skipped straight into winter.

Comfortable enough for everyday life

A little colour makes those first grey autumn days feel far less dull.

There is no point owning something attractive if I spend the entire day adjusting it.

I want clothes I can actually live in.

The Mabel has that relaxed, easy feel I look for in a cardigan.

I can wear something underneath without feeling restricted, move around comfortably, sit in the car, walk into town or spend an afternoon with family without thinking about what I am wearing.

That is the comfort side of it.

The colourful design is what stops that comfort from feeling frumpy.

For me, you need both.

Open in the afternoon, buttoned by evening

Same cardigan, three outfits I already had in the wardrobe.

British autumn weather rarely stays consistent for very long.

I might leave home when it is cold and overcast, only for a bit of sunshine to appear later.

Then the breeze picks up and suddenly I am glad I brought another layer.

With the Mabel, I simply wear it differently as the day changes.

Open when it is milder.

Buttoned when I want a little more warmth.

It means I can stay comfortable without carrying around a heavier jacket I may never actually need.

It makes simple outfits feel more considered

Same cardigan, three outfits I already had in the wardrobe.

Most of my wardrobe is fairly straightforward.

Jeans.

Neutral trousers.

White tops.

Simple blouses.

And I like it that way.

But that also means one colourful piece can completely change how an outfit feels.

The Mabel does the work for me.

I can put it over clothes I have owned for years and suddenly the whole outfit feels a little fresher.

Not overdone.

Not trying too hard.

Just enough colour to make me feel pleased with what I have put on.

That, to me, is the difference between simply being dressed and actually feeling good in what you are wearing.

"Summer has not disappeared completely, winter is still some way off. But those cooler mornings are already here."