H&M’s Autumn 2020 Collection Is Its Most Sustainable – & Stylish – Yet
Esther Newman & Olivia Santner
Usually, at this time of year, we’re eagerly diving into autumn’s top trends and window shopping for the must-have item of the month. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from lockdown dressing, it’s that our seasonal shopping habits need to change. Now, more than ever, we are keen to shop for 'forever' items – the kind that last for years and can be styled up or down, no matter the season.
It seems like H&M is on the same page with their Autumn 2020 collection. Part of H&M’s ongoing sustainability initiative, the collection is another step towards the brand’s goal to use only recycled and sustainably sourced materials by 2030. Currently, 57% of the materials H&M uses to make clothes are organic, recycled or other sustainably sourced material. The lineup is not only a testament to classic, durable wardrobe essentials but is also built around more sustainably sourced materials like recycled polyester, nylon and wool that comes from textile waste, offcuts, old garments and PET bottles.
The eight-piece collection is inspired by the beautifully crafted lace dresses of the 1930s, but with a twist. Sweet summer prairie dresses are toughened up in contrasting shades of inky black and off-white, while vintage-inspired lace and jacquard, Victorian necklines, drop waists, puffed sleeves and soft ruffles add to the timeless quality. Paired with chunky boots, the collection offers an easy, romantic aesthetic worthy of woodland walks and cosy evenings in front of a log fire.
To inspire you, we’ve rounded up all eight pieces and how we’ll be styling them come autumn, winter and the year after that.
With a high neckline, long sleeves and a subtle, 1930s-inspired drop waist, this black lace mini dress is the kind of wardrobe staple you’ll be glad to own on those days when you don’t know what to wear. Made from 100% recycled polyester, it’s the ultimate any-event, all-weather outfit. Casual weekend brunch? Ground all that romantic lace with knee-high boots and an oversized blazer. Evening drinks? Dress it up with platform heels and statement earrings for a sexy date look. Colder weather on its way? Layer over straight-leg jeans and a thin turtleneck knit. Come next spring, it’ll look equally as chic as it does this year – after all, what’s more classic than black lace?
The wheat field-dwelling, puffed-sleeve dresses we've seen adorning our feeds have been imagined for the colder months, and this is the result.
Gothic prairie dresses have been an A/W fashion favourite for a while now, namely for their super flattering silhouette: puffed sleeves, nipped-in waist and a soft, A-line maxi skirt. Made from recycled textile waste and a rich jacquard fabric picked out with intricate florals, you’ll want to pull this out for those very special occasions – think dinners, parties and Yuletide gatherings. A timeless antidote to the typical seasonal offerings of sequins and crushed velvet.
While the glamorous evening look of a 1920s flapper may not translate so easily to modern dressing, this cream crochet lace design is the perfect everyday option. With a foxtrot-worthy drop waist, contrasting lace panels, a high neckline and cuffed sleeves, it feels like a trendy refresh of a classic silhouette and is appropriate for both workwear and date night. As a bonus, it’s made from 100% recycled polyester developed from recycled water bottle waste.
Victorian-inspired dresses like this style are a consistent A/W staple, not only because the long sleeves and maxi skirt are perfect for the colder weather but also because they evoke all the glamour and mystery that comes with the spooky season.
We’ll be modernising H&M’s offering with chunky platforms and a leather blazer once the weather turns or, for a truly modern twist, try contrasting the softness of the lace with hard textures like punky silver jewellery or clashing animal prints.
When it comes to coats, it's the bigger the better. The A/W 2020 runways were testament to this. Designers offered an impressive host of oversized woollen coats with inflated shoulders, ground-sweeping hemlines and sleeves that cover your hands. This is duvet dressing to the max – outerwear that feels like wrapping yourself up in a blanket, with plenty of space for layering.
We love this inky black version, made from a mix of recycled plastic and textile waste, with a versatile design that will fit seamlessly into your existing wardrobe and see you all the way through the season (and beyond).
One of summer 2020's key dress trends has been all about comfort and that's set to continue into the new season. Gone are the structured mini dresses and slinky satin midis that we reached for this time last year. Instead sleeves have ballooned, waistlines have fallen and volume is king: it’s all about the easy, billowing smock dress. This iteration – a sweet textured, off-white design – is made from 100% recycled polyester.
While we enjoy the last dog days of summer, we’ll be styling ours with sports sandals and bucket hats. Later in the year, these will be swapped out for trainers, boxy blazers and berets.
Fashion often feels like it moves at lightning speed but one item that has truly stood the test of time – and we have no doubt will continue to in the future – is the lace dress. Its versatility speaks for itself: it can be reworked and reworn, no matter the style or occasion. Whether it’s spliced, diced, panelled or trimmed, it will always feel timeless, as proven by this gothic-inspired design.
With its maxi length and subtly sexy glimpses of skin through lace, we can imagine dressing this up for a grown-up take on Halloween.
If anything were to get us excited for the colder weather, it would be this oversized tailored wool coat in a soft and creamy off-white. When outerwear looks and feels as good as this – all thanks to a blend of recycled wool and recycled polyester – then we don't mind covering up our carefully curated outfit. Come midwinter chill, this XXL style, cut with exaggerated shoulders and lapels and pools of cosy material to hunker beneath, will be a godsend. Play with proportions by throwing it over a soft, feminine dress – a classic combination that has been reimagined endlessly.