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The clocks go back at 2am this Sunday, 25 October, which means darker evenings from Monday onwards. It is also the point in the year when a good jumper stops being optional. The good news is that several of the shops we track have already cut prices on knitwear, so you can stock up before the cold really sets in.

The knitwear shapes to look for this autumn

Fashion editors have settled on a handful of shapes for autumn 2026. You do not need all of them, but one or two will make your wardrobe feel current.

• Half-zip jumpers. Sporty and smart at the same time. Wear one zipped up over a T-shirt or open over a shirt collar.
• Cardigans you can wear as a top. Fitted, buttoned cardigans work on their own or layered under a blazer.
• Knitted vests and tanks. Wear them alone on milder days, then over a shirt when it turns colder.
• Classic crew necks in merino. Fine wool is warm without bulk, so it fits under a coat without feeling tight.

How to buy knitwear in the sales

Check the fabric first. Merino, cotton and wool blends last longer than acrylic and keep their shape after washing. Next, check the sizes listed: knitwear sells out fastest in the middle sizes, so if yours is still available, it is worth moving quickly. Finally, think about layering. A thinner knit you can wear under a coat will get far more use between now and March than a chunky one.

Washing tip: turn knits inside out, wash them cool, and dry them flat. Hanging a wet jumper stretches it out of shape.

Our picks

For women, the Boden Phoebe collared knitted jacket is the most versatile piece here, and it is still available in a wide run of sizes. The Jigsaw metallic rib cardigan is the one to wear out in the evening. For men, the Charles Tyrwhitt merino crew neck is a classic that goes with everything, and the River Island half-zip is a cheap way into this season’s favourite shape.

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Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, 31 October, and from there the invitations come thick and fast: Bonfire Night drinks, birthday dinners, the office Christmas party and New Year’s Eve. One or two good dresses will cover most of it, especially if you choose pieces you can dress up or down.

Pick a dress that works more than once

The best party dress is one you will wear again. A few tips for getting more nights out of it:

• Go for a strong colour or a simple stripe. A red or navy dress can be styled differently each time, while a heavily printed one is easier to remember.
• Think about the room. A mini dress with tights and pumps works for drinks. For a seated dinner, a midi length is more comfortable.
• Change the shoes, not the dress. Flat ballet pumps for a pub, heels for a party, and boots for a cold walk home.

Halloween without a costume

Not everyone wants full fancy dress. Black lace, a slip dress or a deep red is enough to look the part at a Halloween party, and you will still wear it in December.

Our picks

The Jigsaw crinkle jersey dress in red has dropped from £175 to £50 and is still available in every size from XS to XL. It would work for Christmas Day as well as the office party. River Island’s pink floral lace slip dress is the cheapest piece here at £12. For shoes, River Island’s lace-up court heels and mesh ballet pumps are both under £15.

Sale tip: party dresses sell out in the most common sizes first. If a dress you like is available in your size, buy it now and check the shop’s returns window rather than waiting.

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Black Friday falls on 27 November this year, with Cyber Monday on 30 November. Many shops now start their deals weeks early, and the brands below have already cut their prices. If you see something you want at a good price, there is little reason to wait, especially for Christmas gifts.

How to tell a real tech deal

• Check the price history. A price comparison site like PriceSpy shows whether a “was” price was real or briefly inflated.
• Buy from the brand or a big retailer. All the deals below are from the brands’ own UK websites, so you get the full warranty.
• Check the returns window. Many shops extend returns over Christmas, so an early gift can still be swapped in January.

Gifts under £50

Chargers, power banks and earbuds make easy Christmas gifts. The UGREEN Nexode 65W charger charges a laptop, phone and tablet from one plug and is down to £22.76. The Baseus Bass EP10 Pro earbuds are just £25.63, and the Mous leather case for first-generation AirPods Pro has dropped to £4.99.

Bigger buys worth making now

Robot vacuums are among the most heavily discounted products at the moment. The Roborock Q7 M5 robot vacuum and mop is half price at £119.99. For family film nights over the holidays, the XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro projector is down from £608.99 to £299, and the Amazfit Helio smart ring is £149.90 instead of £269.

Gift tip: check whether a gadget works with iPhone or Android before you buy. Some smart trackers, like the UGREEN FineTrack, only work with iPhones.

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