Personal stylist Caroline Macleod-Smith introduced Elys Wimbledon customers to the season’s most fashionable, wearable everyday outfits by British brand White Stuff during a special styling session in store on Thursday, October 2.
Featuring the newest fashion for winter, Caroline gave out tips and tricks to combine style, comfort, and wearability, while customers could also enjoy early proseccos and an exclusive Elys Rewards offer on the brand on the day.
White Stuff “is not so much of a slave to trends as a brand,” stresses Caroline, hence her fashion tips are focused rather on the smart styling of the new winter collection’s shapes, cuts, textures, and color combos.
1. Prints work with everything
Whether colourful or monochrome, prints will brighten up any outfit, adding more depth and dimension, and they can be as loud or subtle as you choose. Go for a printed shirt or top to wear with your jeans, or a printed maxi dress which can be dressed up for any occasion with the right accessories, according to the stylist.
A less usual way to add prints to your style this winter is with White Stuff’s double-sided gilets, which can be changed over in a second to suit your mood and outfit.
White Stuff prints are all designed in-house, which makes them more exclusive, so you will not be seeing the prints you are wearing everywhere around you, she points out.
2. Curdoroy is your friend
Curdoroy is a great way to add texture to your outfits, and it is also a quality fabric that is durable, soft to the touch, warm enough for winter, and overall very comfy.
It’s a fashion-savvy decision to invest in a pair of loose fit curdoroy trousers, a curdoroy jacket or even a curdoroy dress, preferrably in neutral colors, so you can match them with warm prints and colourful shirts or sweaters to elevate the outfit.
3. Dresses are for everyday
As customers sat down for the presentation at Elys Wimbledon, Caroline made a most interesting observation that none of them was wearing a dress. That is because most women tend to believe that dresses are for events or evenings only, which is a total misconception, or they are not confident with styling them for everyday.
The stylist herself was wearing a boho maxi shirt dress in a monochrome floral print, tiered and with a full skirt, matched with a burgundy curdoroy vest and brown boots with a chunky mid-heel.
Shirt dresses are great for everyday outfits, even for day to night, she says, as they offer great coverage and frame the face beautifully, while they can be dressed up for any occasion, particularly those with bright prints or metallic shades.
If you opt for a shorter length, pinafore dresses are a most wearable choice for everyday outfits and can be fashionably layered.
4. Dare the dungarees
Another alternative to jeans, one that we rarely see people wearing as a fashion choice, is the dungarees.
“Don’t get stuck in your jeans,” says Caroline, showing “a really easy outfit” where a pair of dark blue cotton dungarees are the key piece, matched with a print shirt underneath or a colorful knit worn over.
5. Don’t let your knits be boring
Speaking of knits, Caroline advises against “boring knits” and in favor of “statement knits.”
“Don’t let your knits be boring, make them a statement knit,” she says.
6. Chocolate brown accessories can be delicious
You probably know already that chocolate brown is the colour trend of this winter season – and for the second year running.
The easiest and most versatile way to adopt the trend is through your accessories; a suede oversized chocolate brown bag like the one Caroline chose from Dune London, also available at Elys Wimbledon, would suit most winter outfits, and can be easily matched with boots in similar colours.
Another styling tip she shares is that chocolate brown is often used to soften blacks in an outfit.
7. Add a cute touch with funky socks
When it comes to the details of an outfit, funky socks with colourful prints make a cute addition no matter how little they may show – usually when you are sitting.
They can also make a cosy Christmas gift for all ages.
White Stuff offer a good range of designs, and they have also put together a few different, mixed pattern 4-packs, an indisputable value-for-money pick either you are considering funky socks for yourself or as a gift.
