Who What Wear

September 19, 2021 at 06:32AM If there’s one thing I know, it’s dresses. My wardrobe is full of them, and I wear them 99.9% of the time. I’ve always struggled with casual (long-time Who What Wear readers will have repeatedly read about my ongoing struggle with denim—sorry to be a bore!), so easy, good-looking frocks are my most trusted fashion staple. I have affordable ones that I wear each and every week. I have special, more expensive ones that come out for important occasions or big meetings. I have those in-between, mid-priced options that bridge the gap between casual days and fancy ones. I own styles that are ultra-summery and best for heatwaves and holiday packing, but I’ve also got a fair number of clever, trans-seasonal styles that can work layered up and with tights in winter or with bare legs and sandals during warmer months. I even…

September 19, 2021 at 06:17AM What should you wear when it’s neither completely boiling nor on the freezing side? This question is important to answer this week as my weather app tells me it’s going to be one of those weeks when the weather is that in-between stage.  Granted, the app isn’t always the most reliable but the thing is it can be a difficult climate to dress for, which is why it’s important to work out what to wear. Do you take a jacket with you? Can you still wear sandals? (Answer: yes, it is still that warm). But then again, when the weather is slightly cooler, is it time for boots? Throw in the additional issue of it raining all week and you’ve got yourself a game of sweat or water. As you can see, this gives us plenty of style questions to…

September 19, 2021 at 06:15AM It’s been a tough old year for the Great British high-street, with every week seeing another gloomy headline that speaks of lay-offs and store closures. Yet, behind the media coverage, M&S (surely one of the longest-standing members of the affordable fashion community) is continuing to do what it does best: Deliver timeless, well-executed staples for the shopping public.Fashion-wise, September is always a tricky time of year, with temperatures becoming somewhat inconsistent, but it’s safe to say things are turning chiller by the day. Anything we invest in now has to be versatile and adaptable for whatever the autumnal weather throws at us. M&S has the solution—its online store is packed-full of seasonally-appropriate gems that will blend seamlessly into your capsule wardrobe and adapt to your ever-changing fashion needs. Really, it’s not rocket science, it’s just about keeping your eyes peeled for those time-tested faves, such as Breton tops, classic jeans, white shirts,…

September 19, 2021 at 06:15AM I’ll admit there are a lot of minimalist edits knocking about these days. Whether it’s the high street offering luxe-looking pieces or designer brands whose whole aesthetic is about pared-back simplicity, it’s a trend that’s been inescapable for the past few seasons. Daniel Lee’s designs for Bottega Veneta have obviously been a huge influence, as have The Row’s covetable pieces, but let us not underestimate the lasting legacy of Phoebe Philo’s Céline too. Here’s why it’s so popular: It screams understated luxury, even when it might not be. Case in point: H&M’s new autumn edit, which is nothing if not a minimalist’s dream.So how do less expensive brands achieve this rich aesthetic? It’s all about the silhouettes, the cut of the pieces, the fabrics and the colours. An obvious choice for the minimalist palette is black, but there are also khaki, brown, cream, plus true…

September 19, 2021 at 06:13AM When we talk about classic jeans, it’s often blue pairs that spring to mind, but I think black jeans are just as timeless—even if they don’t receive the same airtime as their vintage-wash counterparts. Personally speaking, I always feel more pulled-together and polished in black jeans, which, I’ll argue, also transition from day to night more seamlessly, owning to their darker base colour.Still, just like any other jeans, black jeans outfits can become repetitive if you let them. So, in an attempt to stop them from becoming stale and tired, I’ve gone on the hunt for black jeans outfits that are classic, chic, and won’t let you down, wherever you might be going. Handily, there were a plethora of stylish looks to choose from; my favourites of which I’ve showcased below.Whether you’re looking for new ways to freshen your style…

September 19, 2021 at 06:00AM Here in the UK we have become pretty adept at the art of good outwear. We spend roughly 80% of the year cocooned in coats, so it figures that they should become a key part of our year-round capsule. I like to consider myself a bit of a coat aficionado, and over the years have tried to identify the styles that are worth the investment in the long run.While there will always be a place in our wardrobes for those clean-lined classics (you can’t go wrong with a tailored coat in navy or black IMO), I have also found that 'timeless’ doesn’t always have to mean minimalist. Sometimes a pop of colour or statement fabric can be a fun way to add interest to your cold weather basics. It’s just about keeping your mind open and considering what will fit well into both your…

September 18, 2021 at 08:00AM Six years ago, my family experienced a huge scare when my then 65-year-old mom was rushed to the ER in order to receive an emergency cardioversion—aka a medical paddle used to restart her heart. The day before the trip to the emergency room, we’d been travelling, and my mom (who has since discovered she has an extreme sensitivity to sugar) had a pumpkin spice latte and an almond-filled French pastry for breakfast and then later on after dinner a small vanilla ice cream cone. As she explains, it was enough sugar (at least for her) to send her heart into atrial fibrillation, or an uneven heart rhythm.“As scary as the experience was, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise,” she tells me. “I banished heavy sugar doses from my diet and noticed that my skin started…

September 18, 2021 at 08:00AM Within the ever-colliding stratospheres of fashion and beauty, “rules” have become a bit passé, if not obsolete altogether. Gone are the days when we’d refuse to wear white after Labor Day or dismiss navy and black as an ill-conceived colour pairing. Currently, we feel inspired to dye our hair a demurely shocking shade of lavender. A hot-pink eyelid is cooler than yesteryear’s smoked-out cat eye, and we’re even experimenting with crystal-studded manicures and cute-but-clashing polish shades. Our point? It’s an exciting time to be in fashion and beauty, and more so than ever before, our hair, makeup and fashion aesthetic reflect that.Hair, especially, has been the comeback kid of 2021. Previously old-fashioned styles like the mullet have been artistically resurrected, and we currently own more scrunchies, hair claws and butterfly clips than we did circa 1999. Impressive. That said, one…

September 18, 2021 at 08:00AM It’s no secret that French women possess a knack for a polished style that reads as effortless and cool. Over the years, they prove to really refine their personal senses of style with wardrobes stocked with incredible closet essentials. French women are truly in the know about which building blocks will last for years ahead, so it’s no surprise you’ll spot many of them wearing the same staples.Yep, you’ll be sure to spot elegant tweed pieces on both Carla Bruni and Isabel Marant. The same goes for ankle boots, which you’ll see Nadege du Bosterus and Juliette Binoche styling with their looks. And it doesn’t stop there. Ahead, take inspiration from stylish over-50 French women and see the six pieces you’ll spot in all of their closets. You can also shop the items for yourself to replicate their chic looks.No matter…

September 18, 2021 at 08:00AM Skincare can be really expensive. In fact, I’m kind of fed up of tip-toeing around the fact that in so many cases, we’re all being painfully overcharged for certain skincare products. Brands know all too well the price that we’re willing to pay for great skin, and they’re not afraid to take advantage of it. However, as our skincare priorities have shifted, not only are brands charging obscene amounts of money for efficacious products, but they’re also driving up prices on products that look more aesthetically pleasing. As a result of this, it’s safe to say that when it comes to skincare, price does not always reflect quality.So when a no-frills product range comes along that doesn’t have a gimmicky name, doesn’t come housed in Instagram-worthy bottles and generally lacks fancies, it can be very easy for it…