Unsurprisingly, there are some common threads that run through these outfits—all of which are styling tips I dish out to my clients regularly. Things like, keep it simple: If you want your outfits to look expensive, I always suggest sticking to a colour palette of classic neutrals, and if in doubt opt for tonal outfits in different shades of the same colour. In my opinion, minimalist designs always look the most expensive, even when shopped on the high street, but look out for elevated details like an oversized coat, interesting textures and premium materials—or a sleek pointed toe on a black boot. These kind of things will always add polish to a simple outfit. Knee high boots have been a particular saviour for me recently as you can add them to leggings and your favourite knit ...
If anyone knows whether an item is worth buying or not, it’s Tracey Lea Sayer. Having been in the business of fashion for 30 years now, Lea Sayer is a style insider who says it like it is. She wants her clothes to work hard for the money and is a dab hand when it comes to hunting down timeless high-street pieces. As well as sharing her knowledge via Fabulous magazine as fashion director, she charts her own wardrobe over at @TraysLounge. Her outlook is about buying less, buying better, and restyling what you already own. This month, she shares three items she loved in her teens and has suddenly started wearing again. Over to you, Tray! I have worked in fashion for 30 years and have pretty much tried all the tre...
Sometimes less is more. Even in fashion, where many can be easily drawn to ruffles, feathers, sequins and excess in general, at Who What Wear we always seem to go back to the same pared-back staples. It’s the true secret to a capsule wardrobe, I think, to have malleable elevated essentials that an be worn countless ways, to numerous occasions that look universally good when paired with pieces of all different proportions, fabrics and colours. If there’s one brand I always go back to for this, it’s The Frankie Shop. You’ll see from my instalment of our most recent Great Try-On that this isn’t a line, I love everything The Frankie Shop presents–from its cargo pants to its iconic quilted ripstop jacket. But the item I treasure most in my wardrobe? ...
There’s no set way to do New Year’s, and over time, everyone develops their own traditions. Whether it’s watching fireworks along the Thames, sipping cocktails with old friends or cosying up with a cup of tea, it’s the perfect excuse to let your hair down and celebrate with your favourite people. This year, team Who What Wear all have very different plans when it comes to the countdown, but it’s safe to say that each and every one of us has been planning our outfits for weeks. We can’t help being fashion nerds, okay? The plus side to our overzealous planning is that we now have a wide range of looks to inspire your New Year’s style. You’re welcome. So if you’re currently running around like a headless chicken (weR...
When it comes to style, London is one of the most dialled-in cities in the world. A cross between the polish of Paris, the edginess of New York, and the playfulness of Milan, London is perhaps the most eclectic of all the major fashion locales; you never quite know what outfits you’ll see or which trends you’ll spot. This is true of the runway as well as the street, the latter of which, I’d argue, is where you’ll find the most inspiration. I now work and live remotely (in the countryside, no less), so I rely on the outfits I see coming out of the capital to inform not only my own wares but also what I choose to share with you here, on Who What Wear. Still, being on the peripheral is helpful, as it allows me to take a more nuanced look at the London fashion tren...
My sartorial needs right now are simple: to be warm and comfortable. So that means nothing is coming between me and my jumpers at the moment. Still, after pulling on my favourite cream cable-knit jumper for what feels like (and probably is) the 500th day in a row, I’m in need of some fresh inspiration on how to style it as we head into spring. Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Jumper-and-trouser outfits are hardly groundbreaking—they’re one of the most basic combinations out there. But aren’t the simplest things always the most effective? I certainly think so. Putting jeans, leggings and joggers to one side, I was keen to discover how fashion people are assembling their jumper-and-trouser outfits for spring in an attempt to make my own ensembles more polished (though no less com...
After a year of doling out likes to puppies and workouts I’ll never do, my TikTok FYP was just not giving what it was supposed to give, especially in the fashion department. With some small tweaks to my scrolling behavior, I’m happy to report I finally found my aesthetic niche within fashion TikTok, and we love it here. I tried four fashion trends that just went viral on my FYP, and I must say that these trends have unlocked so many outfit ideas I was just not thinking about before. Thanks, Gen Z. At first, I was a little hesitant to take fashion advice from people half my age, but it’s just not in my DNA to see a fire new look and pass up the opportunity to test it out. Keep scrolling t...
You might assume that to look expensive, you need to buy eye-wateringly expensive things, but looking rich isn’t just about flashy logos and jewellery so valuable it must be stored in a safe. There are little tricks that can make any outfit look more elevated, from ensuring your shirts are always crisp to the colours that appear to add a couple of zeros to the cost of your outfit. Many of these styling rules have been set by stealth-wealth luxury brands, such as The Row and Phoebe Philo for Céline, who show that timeless, classic pieces always add an air of sophistication to your look. Think biscuit-coloured knitwear, an oversized trench coat and a perfectly starched white shirt. Intrigued? Keep scrolling to see the nine things that will always make you look richer than you...
It might feel early in the season for holiday dressing, but Jennifer Lopez doesn’t live on anyone’s schedule, so of course, she’d break out a festive ‘fit before December’s arrival. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Hustlers actress was spotted out with her husband, Ben Affleck, at the Winter Garden Theatre in NYC, where they attended a performance of The Music Man. For the occasion, Lopez went with two pieces from Ralph Lauren Collection, a Fair Isle sweater and a tulle maxi skirt with a slit up the entire right side. But the holiday festivities didn’t end there. With her party-ready skirt choice, she added fishnet tights and a pair of velvet Giuseppe Zanotti platforms with a casual five-inch heel. She even carried a shea...
The mini skirt is having a moment right now but, for me, it’s more than a trend. I love a good mini skirt and have been wearing them ever since my teens. They are classic, versatile and can be styled so many different ways… and they’re not just for summer! I love wearing mini skirts all year round. My younger self couldn’t wait to grow up and wear mini skirts at my own whim; they have gone from a “daring” wardrobe piece to a classic staple. I saw them worn in the ’90s by Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell who made them, in my opinion, iconic. A regular in my wardrobe rotation, you can find a trusty mini skirt amongst most retailers. This & Other Stories style is made from recycled fabrics, is a “true” mini skirt length...
After nearly a decades worth of experience in styling and fashion writing, the questions that I’m asked are still exactly the same. Most commonly “What do I wear to this event?” or “how do I dress for this season?” but the truth remains that the most basic questions are usually the ones we’re asked the most, and it always comes back to how to make getting ready in the morning that little bit easier. Even the very best of us are prone to a style mistake or two every now and then. Yes, even fashion insiders are guilty of wearing a too-small shoe size (I blame sample sales!) or pairing the wrong bra with an outfit. But sometimes it just takes someone else pointing it out for us to see the light. That’s why I decided to figure out ...
All of these factors that make M&S great also mean it’s one of the best places to find expensive-looking pieces to help you build an elevated capsule wardrobe on a budget—something I think we’re all striving for right now. As proof, and to help you shop wisely as we head into winter, below I’ve pulled together four timeless cold-weather-ready outfits you can turn to again and again this season—entirely from M&S (although your friends might not believe you when you tell them that). Think smart layering options and versatile party looks to have on rotation. You may already own versions of the various elements at home to substitute in, so in that case all you need to do is bookmark this article for outfit inspo. But if you’re looking to add some ...