I Just Tried On Totême's Cult Autumn Buys—Here's What's Worth Investing In

by Emily Dawes

Welcome to The Great Try-On. With autumn well and truly in the air, we seized the opportunity to try on some of the best new-in pieces from some of your favourite brands, documenting the process along the way. We believe that the best way to shop online is to see an item IRL and to read candid reviews, so we hope that this leads you to your most successful purchases of the year.

Working at Who What Wear has many perks, but trying on fabulous clothes so we can report back to you in earnest has to be one of the best. If you’re a longtime reader, you’ll probably be familiar with our regular series We Try Before You Buy, where we do the hard, sweaty changing-room work for you and help you get to the bottom of which pieces out there are truly worth buying. Well, The Great Try-On is basically a bumper edition of that, and when I found out I was the lucky editor who would be putting Totême’s autumn/winter 2022 collection to the test in the confines of the the delightfully elegant MatchesFashion townhouse, let’s just say I knew I’d hit the jackpot.

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@emilyjdawes for Who What Wear

My fellow editors and I often contemplate the age-old question, if you had to wear one brand for the rest of your life, what would it be? My answer is always Totême. The Swedish brand was founded back in 2014 and is known for its signature minimalist aesthetic, which focuses on timeless style over any so-called trends—part of the reason I’m such a fan. The collections are based around a uniform of forever pieces that you can (and will happily) pull out season after season, whether it’s a camel coat or the perfect pair of black tailored trousers. In fact, it simply restocks a lot of its key buys each year—that’s how timeless they are.

That’s not to say Totême does “boring” wardrobe staples, though. Unique design details and elevated fabrics turn a lot of the label’s pieces into cult buys that go viral within days of release. Take that striped knit, which took Instagram by storm a couple of years ago, or last year’s sellout scarf coat that made it on to a thousand wish lists (and basically launched a whole new coat type). The difference from your usual It buys is that these classics transcend seasons and refuse to lose their sparkle year after year. The striped knit is still a best seller two years on and continues to be worn by numerous influencers, and the scarf coat has just been restocked for another winter.

It’s not just me who loves this brand. Totême has a whole host of stylish disciples, from influencers (Brit girls Lucy Williams, Jessica Skye and India Sehmi are obsessed) to best dressed celebs like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kourtney Kardashian. Below, you’ll see some of the brand’s best pieces, and I think you’ll understand why.

Yes, a lot of the items I would consider to be investments that may require some saving up for. But unlike a lot of seriously high-end designer brands these days, most Totême pieces sit between the £100 and £1000 price points, despite looking like they’d be a lot more. Plus, incorporating even just one or two items into your wardrobe has the effect of elevating everything else in it, which is why I’d argue that if you pick the right ones, they can make wise investments indeed.

Keep scrolling to see my review of Totême’s autumn/winter 2022 best buys.

Emily wears the camel wool coat from Toteme's autumn/winter 2022 collection with a Loewe bag

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@emilyjdawes for Who What Wear

My review: Be still my camel-coat-loving heart. A true wardrobe classic, the caramel-coloured wool coat has become something of an icon and a piece that every wardrobe can benefit from. It’s a surefire way to look polished. It's helpful to note here that Totême's outerwear almost always comes up oversized. For some styles, it really works, but with this (since it's full-length), I sized down to a UK 6 (I'm generally an 8 or 10) so it didn't drown my petite 5'2" frame. I can't even explain to you how buttery soft this fabric feels, and the waist tie added that relaxed "I just threw this expensive-looking outfit together" vibe. I layered it up with this gorgeous cream sweater, which is light as a feather yet really warm, and my dream ankle boots which (sadly for my bank account) did not disappoint.

Emily wears the striped knit and cargo jacket from Toteme's autumn/winter 2022 collection

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@emilyjdawes for Who What Wear

My review: Although technically not a brand-new piece for autumn/winter 2022, I couldn't not jump at the chance to try Totême's famous striped knit for myself now that it's back in stock. And honestly, I wanted to see whether it actually deserved all the fuss. The short answer to that is yes. After throwing on the cosy, comfy (no itchy wool here) and incredibly chic knit, I totally get why so many influencers and fashion people have invested in it. It's completely timeless thanks to those Breton stripes yet has a certain stylish slouch that elevates the simplest leggings or jeans into a full-blown "fashion" outfit. I'm wearing a size XS, and I've paired it with the brand's classic black jeans. (Oh, did I mention Totême's denim is to die for?) The canvas cargo jacket was the finishing touch that made this the perfect autumn outfit, wouldn't you agree?

Emily wears the monogram silk co-ord from Toteme's autumn/winter 2022 collection

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@emilyjdawes for Who What Wear

My review: Another hero piece in Totême's collections is the silk co-ord. With an oversized logo print, it had the potential to date quite quickly—but no. Like so many other Totême items, this luxe set has become a classic in its own right over the last few years, only gaining momentum. I saw it worn by so many influencers in summer—especially the orange version and sometimes with the matching shorts instead—but I felt the black (which has returned for autumn/winter) would more easily see you through party season as well as it would through balmy Mediterranean summer evenings.

I like versatility from my investment pieces, after all, and this set has it in droves. It goes with sandals or heels, maybe even a pointed-toe boot, and a sparkly bag takes it from poolside to party in two seconds flat. Of course, you can also wear the items separately making the outfit options endless. And let's talk about it made me feel— it might be modest, but I have to say it still felt damn sexy to flounce about in. Sizing wise, it's loose and oversized in its nature, but since I'm petite in height I would definitely size down to an 8 from the 10 I'm wearing here for reference. Now, time to go forth and flounce.

Emily wears the cult scarf coat and leggings from Toteme's autumn/winter 2022 collection

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@emilyjdawes for Who What Wear

My review: Since the original fringed scarf-neck jacket was so popular, when I saw this brand-new caramel version arrive for autumn/winter 2022 recently, I just had to try it. If possible, it's even more classic than the original since it doesn't have the stitching and fringing details, but it still has lashings of Totême's elegant minimalism. Again, it's one of those pieces you could throw on with the most basic knit (or T-shirt for this transitional period) and some leggings (these ones in particular are constantly recommended among editors) and voilà! A beautiful outfit guaranteed to get you random street compliments galore.

Emily wears a ribbed knit dress and black blazer from Toteme's autumn/winter 2022 collection

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@emilyjdawes for Who What Wear

My review: I'll hold my hands up here and say I'm not much of a dress person let alone a body-hugging-ribbed-knit-dress person. My petite yet quite hippy body shape tends to look much better (or at least feel more comfortable) in jeans and jumpers. After trying this number, though, I can safely say that stepping out of your comfort zone sometimes is a good thing. I actually loved this chocolate number, mostly because unlike flimsy high-street versions I've tried in the past, the thick stretch fabric shapes and hugs in all the right places without feeling restrictive. The racer straps were designed to sit at a really flattering point on the neckline (says someone who's self-conscious of their arms). Although, I will add that it would be difficult to wear a bra with unless it was strapless. The ribbed material does well to hold things in place, though.

I added the brand's classic black blazer to streamline the look (I would recommend sizing down in this if you're petite), and it made for a pretty perfect date-night or drinks-with-friends outfit. It would even work for the office, perhaps with heeled knee-high boots. You're welcome.

Emily wears the gathered silk top and tailored trousers from Toteme's autumn/winter 2022 collection

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@emilyjdawes for Who What Wear

My review: Totême may be best known for its elevated basics, but as this gathered-silk bustier proves, it's capable of nailing showstoppers as well. Thanks to the neutral colour and voluptuous folds, this top still falls into the minimalist category, but the detailing and design is anything but simplistic. It comes in a gorgeous chocolate brown too, and although I'm mostly a "you can never be too dressed-down" kind of person, I can actually see myself wearing this for so many special occasions—from party season to birthday dinners, date nights and wedding events. I'd say it's true to size (I'd take a 10), but if you're between sizes, size up for breathability. And since it's a slim fit, for balance, I loved it with these versatile black wide-leg trousers, which feel incredibly expensive in a tailored wool fabric (size down in these, though). All that's left to say is thank you, Totême, for reminding me it's fun to get dressed up once in a while.

Emily wears a trench coat, leggings and riding boots from Toteme's autumn/winter 2022 collection

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@emilyjdawes for Who What Wear

My review: This look made me feel like I belonged somewhere between a Jilly Cooper novel and a coastal-grandmother-does-autumn Nancy Meyers movie. And I'm not mad about that. It's a little preppy, a lot classic. I just know I would wear all these pieces separately with different outfits a million times as well. I will say like most of Totême's outerwear, the trench is rather oversized on my 5'2" frame. Here, I'm wearing a 6 but would probably buy it in a UK 4. Having said that, the roomy slouch is all part of Totême's considered-yet-effortless vibe.

The brand's refined accessories don't disappoint either, like these riding-style knee-high boots, silk scarf and wool baseball cap, which have just as strong a cult following among influencers and celebs as the clothing—a feat not often achieved by such a young brand. And the knit? Well, if you need me, I'll be found wearing this forever.