Welcome to The Great Try-On. With spring well and truly in the air, we seized the opportunity to try on some of the best new-in pieces from some of your favourite brands, documenting the process along the way. We believe that the best way to shop online is to see an item IRL and to read candid reviews, so we hope that this leads you to your most successful purchases of the year.
I’m not sure about you, but I am officially over winter. Around this time every year, I am itching for spring and all it brings—better weather (finally), the beginning of the holiday season and a new wardrobe. Of course, I don’t just buy an entirely new wardrobe, but just as I’m packing away my puffer coat, I say hello to all those garments I neatly placed in the box under the bed for the cooler months. As I rifle through the linen shirts, cotton trousers and sandals that I forgot I ever had, I rediscover them all over again. The basics are pretty covered, and then I pepper in a few new purchases that breathe new life into the older things, some of which I’ve had for years.
With spring comes the event season. There are the races, Wimbledon (if you’re into that sort of thing), a seemingly never-ending succession of weekends attending birthday parties in pub gardens and, of course, that other popular summer occasion—weddings. For me, a brand I turn to time and again for elevated warm-weather staples is Whistles. I took a visit to one of its stores to check out the new collection, and it didn’t disappoint. Not only were there some stand-out high-summer styles, such as this fuchsia-pink dress, but there was also a handful of spring suede and leather pieces that are great for layering on cooler days.
And with that, check out which six ensembles I’m most excited by for the coming months…
My Review: Nothing says spring like a trench coat, especially in the UK when an April shower can hit any month of the year. A shirt with jeans is a winning combo for any season, but with sandals and a basket bag, it has summer written all over it.
My Review: This look is entirely inspired by my favourite TikTok trend, the vanilla-girl aesthetic. Wearing all-white outfits is an easy way to look expensive until, of course, you get on the Tube and get dirty. (My advice? Take Ubers or cover it with a trench coat.) This denim dress is so easy to throw on, and the contrast of denim—an ordinarily casual fabric—with this romantic puff-sleeve silhouette makes me feel like the only Disney princess with an edge.
My Review: Perhaps I’m biased because I’m a lover of pink, but I really believe this colour looks great on every skin tone. Made with 100% silk, this dress is part of the limited-edition collection. It’s bold, beautifully made and perfect for wedding season.
My Review: We’re big fans of anything Western inspired at Who What Wear. We live for cowboy boots, silver-buckled belts and suede fringe jackets. This black number is such a subtle statement. Not too OTT, it’s a staple that still has an impact. For casual days, wear it with beige jeans like I have here. For festivals, pair it with a floral dress and rodeo boots, and you can consider yourself Daisy Jones.
My Review: If you want to take your suede game up a notch from the Western look above, look no further. Of course, this colourful co-ord can be styled as separates, but when something is this good, why wouldn’t you want more of it? I love the belt on the jacket, as it really lets you cinch in the waistline, and the trousers fit like a glove (so no need to go up or down a size).
My Review: There’s no denying that summer workwear can be difficult. When it comes to tailoring in the warmer months, look for linen or crêpe. This particular one is light but feels luxe. There’s enough weight in the trousers to make them hang properly on the leg, and the blazer is neat but not so fitted you can’t fit a tank below. (See this orange one, which I adore.) The key to making the most of your suit is layering. So get out the limited-edition leather trench coat when needed.
