Move over burgundy, it's khaki time! These 17 high street hits prove it - from £20

I love burgundy. Not the wine, the colour. As I write this, I’m wearing the colour top-to-toe – a short-sleeved Hush burgundy knit, an old pair of Albaray cords in the same berry hue and matching Hush ballet pumps, in case you’re wondering.

It’s a good look, and one I’ve worn several times already this season. But it’s also one I’m in the mood to switch up a little as we move deeper into autumn. And I already know exactly how I’m going to do it: by mixing it up with khaki.

Like many of you, I own a few khaki items. A khaki leather handbag given to me by my old friend Kim Jones when he was designing at Dior (I know how lucky this makes me!), an ancient Barbour I bought at a farming event in Cornwall six years ago and a brilliant wool cropped jacket which was the only thing I bought last autumn, from Penny Jane Martin's collection at Arket, and wore on repeat until it got too cold.

When I pulled out the Dior bag at the weekend to give it a re-spin, I thought to myself – aha! Khaki and burgundy look amazing together, and they really do! They are from the same rich, autumnal colour family, and set each other off perfectly.

With the style mood as it is, these colours also complement each other in a properly fashion way that feels very of this moment. You see it as soon as you pair, say, a khaki knit – like those featured here from Next, Sézane and Mango – with a burgundy trouser or skirt. When you accessorise a khaki cord dress, like the one chosen here from Boden, with a burgundy handbag or shoe, the combination instantly says colour confidence, suggests playfulness and, all in one outfit combination, shows you are willing to experiment with style.

In short, this mix switches up the entire vibe of your autumn.

Of course, khaki is also a perennial and popular shade that is forever associated with waterproof outerwear – and there are a couple of great jackets shared here from Next and Barbour – and, of course, Wellington boots. But I think the sheer variety of items available in khaki now might genuinely surprise you, which is exactly what I wanted to capture with my careful edit of the 17 items below.

I’ve found sharp tailoring and cosy cords at Arket. Loose trousers at M&S, a knitted jumper dress with a pleated skirt, and a wool baseball cap at Jigsaw. Mango, though, have excelled themselves with their khaki pieces; a fantastic jacket, barrel jeans, faux leather pencil skirt and a cosy cardigan are all featured here, but there is plenty more on the site.

My favourite item is the Sézane jumper. It’s exactly the sort of knit I need now and I know I would wear it for years to come. Because it is made from yak wool, it is natural, warm and will never go to landfill. My criteria met!

Whether you go for that or simply decide that a £20 Next poloneck is sufficient for you to make this update, know one thing. Investing in a khaki piece will elevate your fashion game now and slide into forever-classic territory afterwards, making it a great investment no matter which way you look at it.

The best khaki pieces to buy now