Get cosy: a stylish scarf, a comfy mattress topper and other buys you loved in September
Your other favourites included a lovely lamp, timeless jeans and a heated airer. Hunker down, anyone?
It may be unseasonably warm, but September’s bestsellers list tells us you’re definitely in an autumn state of mind. Some of you are embracing the unofficial new year with a backpack perfect for commuting or a bento box to avoid overpriced work lunches. Others are leaning into the darker evenings with a vibe-boosting portable lamp and a comfy mattress topper.
From a pocket umbrella and a heated airer to a gorgeous pen and cashmere scarf, September’s favourites make it clear that you’re ready to hunker down, get back to the grind and, most importantly, get cosy.
The wonder lip stain
Wonderskin lip stain
“Literally the first lipstick that has ever worked for me,” said Jess Cartner-Morley in her September fashion edit. Wonderskin’s stain does exactly what it says on the tube, leaving your lips a “gorgeous colour that doesn’t budge, however much Vaseline you smear on top”.
The instant vibe booster
Dusk rechargeable bobbin table lamp
You couldn’t get enough of this rechargeable lamp we highlighted in our guide to getting cosy while it’s still warm out. It’s cute, affordable and perfect for plonking down wherever you need a vibe boost.
Lunch in a box
Brabantia bento lunchbox
Overpriced commuter lunches? Sad cafeteria meals? You all said “no thanks”, and opted instead to take your own lunch with this bento box. Zoë Phillimore named it the best budget option in her lunchbox guide, and was impressed by its compartments. “They’re all large enough to be useful – you’ll easily fit a side salad or a portion of fruit in one of the smaller boxes.”
The best-value beauty Advent calendar
Anthropologie 24 days of beauty Advent calendar
“Some beauty Advent calendars cost the world and then leave you wondering what on earth to do with all the products inside,” said our beauty expert Sarah Matthews. “That is not true of the Anthropologie calendar for 2026.” With 24 doors containing “staples that should fit easily into an existing beauty routine”, Matthews awarded it the best value option in her beauty Advent calendar review.
The budget backpack
Berghaus Elect U25 backpack
With holiday season over and kids back at school, September signals it’s time to get back to the grind. Rated the top budget pick in Pete Wise’s guide to the best backpacks, the 25-litre capacity Berghaus Elect is “ideal for school, university or office use, with compartments and sleeves that nicely accommodate pens, a power bank and a laptop”.
The comfy mattress topper
Silentnight Airmax 1000
£38 for a double at Silentnight
Add an extra layer of comfort to your mattress with this affordable topper. “The hollowfibre filling compresses under your sleeping body, feeling cosy without being too soft,” said Jane Hoskyn in her review of the best mattress toppers.
The reliable jeans
M&S mid-rise straight-leg jeans
Recommended in our fashion editors’ guide to the best basics, you clearly thought these M&S jeans were exactly what was missing from your wardrobe. With a mid-rise and a straight-leg style, they’re a timeless staple you’ll reach for all season.
The pocket umbrella
Doppler Zero pocket umbrella
Autumn weather is unpredictable. So a handy umbrella you can keep in your bag is invaluable. Hailed as the best budget option in Pete Wise’s umbrella review, the pocket-size Doppler Zero will be your new rainy-season best friend.
Back to the grind stationery
Leuchtturm1917 ballpoint pen
Make creating to-do lists a joy with a pen that “will make writing feel like a treat”. Ellie Violet Bramley highlighted this aesthetically pleasing and refillable pen in her roundup of brilliant buys to supercharge school, work and everything in between.
The cashmere scarf
Rise&Fall cashmere scarf
Rise&Fall is “a British brand that buys products direct from the manufacturers of the finest materials. So you get cashmere sweaters and organic cotton bed linen … without the retail mark-up,” said Jess Cartner-Morley in her September style essentials. “This micro-bandana, available in poppy and buttermilk, will take the edge off the first chills of autumn.”
The bargain heated airer
Black+Decker heated clothes airer
Looking ahead to colder, damper weather, many of you were organised enough to get yourselves this affordable heated airer in preparation. Awarded best budget pick in Jane Hoskyn’s guide to the best heated airers, it also had one of the smallest footprints, making it ideal for smaller homes.
Originally published by theguardian.com. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of GQ British Lifestyle.
