£50 Cashmere, Dance-Studio Kit and a Chalayan Revival

A US value brand lands in Britain with £50 cashmere, GANNI and lululemon take fashion into the dance studio, Acne Studios revisits Hussein Chalayan's archive and Armani and Kith head for the desert. Here's what mattered in fashion this week, and how to wear it without spending a fortune.

The price of a good jumper is being rewritten

The biggest retail story for British shoppers this week is Quince. The San Francisco brand, known in the US for what it calls "cut-price luxury", has launched in the UK, its first market outside North America. It sells online only and buys directly from manufacturers, skipping wholesalers. That's how it can offer Mongolian cashmere jumpers at £50, silk blouses at £55 and leather handbags from £95. UK customers get free standard delivery and a 365-day returns policy, subject to conditions.

It arrives at a moment when good basics at fair prices are winning. Earlier this month, Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing reported record annual revenue of ¥3.96 trillion, up 17%. For the first time, its combined sales in North America and Europe overtook those in mainland China. That puts it on track to overtake H&M in global sales.

The takeaway: this autumn's smartest buy isn't a logo. It's one well-made knit you'll wear twice a week until March. Look for a relaxed shape, a soft handle and a colour that works with what you already own.

Dancewear leaves the studio

Copenhagen's GANNI and lululemon launched their collaboration last week: 22 pieces across womenswear, accessories and footwear, inspired by dance. The campaign, "JOY IS A POWER MOVE", stars Jennifer Beals and the singer and dancer METTE. Alongside a GANNI version of lululemon's Define Jacket, the line-up includes leg warmers, headbands and boleros, finished with ruffle trims, leopard print and bold colour pairings.

The idea behind it is simple: activewear that doesn't look like it belongs only in the gym. You can get the look with what's already in your wardrobe. Wear flared leggings with a cropped knit, layer a fluffy bolero over a fitted top, and add a pair of trainers. It's comfortable enough for a class and polished enough for coffee afterwards.

Patchwork denim, with a fashion history

For anyone who follows designers, Acne Studios' new capsule with Hussein Chalayan was the week's big talking point. The 12 pieces draw on three of Chalayan's early-2000s collections: Ventriloquy (SS01), Medea (SS02) and Manifest Destiny (SS03). They include patchworked jeans in Acne's 1996 and 2009 fits, a patchwork denim shirt and an asymmetric denim vest and dress. The campaign was shot at London's V&A East Storehouse, and the collection is sold online and in selected Acne boutiques, including London.

The trend to take from it is denim treated as a material for the whole outfit, not just your jeans. A washed denim jacket over a knit, or a denim shirt worn open as a light layer, gives you the same idea in an everyday form.

Menswear goes to the desert

Giorgio Armani and Kith released "Dreams of the Dune" on 16 October. It's the third chapter of their menswear collaboration, first shown at a sunset runway in Morocco's Agafay Desert. It pairs Armani's relaxed tailoring with Kith's contemporary streetwear in desert-inspired tones, with leather and cashmere pieces and exclusive footwear made with ASICS and Diemme.

The point for menswear this season is that sand, stone and camel are a fresh alternative to the usual navy and charcoal for smart dressing. Try a beige suit worn with a knit instead of a shirt and tie, or split it and wear the jacket with dark denim at the weekend.

Shop the trend

Pieces from our edit that pick up this week's stories:

• Yumi Black Eyelash Knit Bolero – £45.00. A soft, cropped layer in the spirit of the GANNI x lululemon boleros.
• Earth Wardrobe Tencel Flared Leggings: Women's – £48.00. A studio-to-street flare that works with knits and trainers.
• Yumi Blue Stretch Washed Denim Jacket – £45.49. A simple way into head-to-toe denim.
• Earth Wardrobe Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Denim Shirt: Mens – from £27.99. Wear it buttoned up or open as an overshirt.
• TruClothing Men's Beige 3 Piece Tailored Fit Suit – from £118.99. Desert-toned tailoring that also works as separates.

Sources

• Retail Gazette – $10bn US 'dupe' retailer Quince launches in UK (19 October 2026)
• FashionNetwork UK – Uniqlo: Fast Retailing on track to overtake H&M (8 October 2026)
• Retail Times – lululemon and GANNI launch exclusive collaboration
• Hypebeast – Acne Studios and Hussein Chalayan reimagine archival designs (14 October 2026)
• RUSSH – Fashion news you might've missed in October 2026
• The Zoe Report – The October 2026 fashion news to keep up with