Welcome to The Great Try-On. With autumn 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’ve never had a hard time admitting when I’m wrong. In fact, I believe that owning up to your mistakes is one of the most important things you can do. And I’ve made a mistake I’d like to own up to and set right: I’ve been overlooking Whistles for far, far too long. But before we get into that, let’s begin with the reason we’re here.
One of the biggest perks of my job is getting to try on the latest collections before anyone else and legitimately call it work. That’s not to say being a fashion editor doesn’t come with its own unique set of stresses but, for the most part, it’s generally pretty fun. Still, I take my role seriously, so when I was asked to review the Whistles’ brand-new autumn edit as part of our The Great Try-On series, I was prepared to give my honest review, good or bad. Little did I know that I’d end up with a wish list as long as my arm and a newfound appreciation for the brand.
I’ve bought pieces from Whistles in the past and I’ve always found them to be of a high quality. Still, even we fashion editors are guilty of falling into unhealthy shopping habits. I don’t shop much by any means but, over the past few years, when I have needed to add something new to my wardrobe, I’ve found myself defaulting to the same triad of brands. The reason? Pure laziness. Sure, I’d browse Whistles regularly to keep on top of the latest pieces for my work, but as for the last time I actually took the time to head into a store and try some pieces on? Well, that was before lockdown. However, after heading to the website and selecting items to be delivered to my door, I was excited to see what would arrive. Three huge boxes came and inside, I found my dream autumn capsule.
Below I’ve selected a handful of the ‘fits I assembled and loved. I’ll break down the nuances of each in greater detail as we go but if you take away anything from this feature it’s this: Whistles might just be my new favourite brand. Scroll on.
My Review: Stripe jumpers are the cornerstone of my autumn/winter wardrobe, and just when I thought I had enough to see me through the 2022 season, I come across this style. The stripes are navy, but a deep hue that looks almost black set against the rich camel. Honestly, I never thought I’d find a pair of leather trousers that fit me well—I’m a pretty true size 12 with shapely thighs but a smaller waist. My options would ordinarily be limited to sizing up and having them be too baggy around my middle, or sticking to my usual which would always feel constricted on the legs. This pair, however, fit like a glove; the tapered silhouette (something I generally avoid) was incredibly flattering, too. I’d heard great things about Whistles’ leather pieces—now I can confirm they live up to the hype. And there’s plenty more leather fits to come…
This has gone straight into my Whistles basket.
No doubt about it—these are the best leather trousers I’ve tried in my 12-year-long career.
My Review: I have to admit there’s very little my wardrobe is in desperate need of, but a casual autumn jacket is one of them. Going from tailored blazers straight to full-on coats coats, there’s a gap in my outerwear collection that this bomber will seamlessly fill. One of the biggest trends on the autumn/winter 2022 runway, bombers are going to be all the rage this season. Of course, you could pair yours with jeans, but I decided to try it with another Whistles staple—a leather miniskirt. Again, I’ve struggled to find leather skirts that fit me properly in the past, but this style was ideal. The 12 had just the right amount of room to make it comfortable to wear and to tuck a chunky jumper into. Styling-wise, I opted for a striped, long-sleeve t-shirt which felt incredibly soft on my skin. Turns out, even Whistles’ basics are elite. Finishing the look with the brand’s best-selling Dahlia lace-up boots, I had actually ordered these a couple of years ago in a size 37 but sent them back as they felt too tight across the top of my foot. For intensive try-on purposes, I got a 38, and they were perfect.
This jacket comes in a handful of versatile colours; the khaki, however, is my personal favourite.
I felt so cool in this.
Another leather item I can’t fault.
Whistles bring these iconic boots back every season.
My Review: To reiterate, I’ve got a bit of a gap in my wardrobe when it comes to casual autumn jackets. As luck would have it, I’ve found another excellent option in my Whistles haul. I’ve always admired the suede fringed jacket trend from afar but whenever I’ve tried one on for myself, they have always felt a little costumey. This one, however, did not. Between the longline cut and the subtle flashes of fringing across the back and adorning the front pockets, I felt incredibly sleek in this the moment I slung it on. I’d wear this sort of jacket with classic jeans for a an easy look; this was my first time trying any Whistles denim, and again I really rated it. Although there was a bit of stretch to this kick-flare pair, I can tell the denim itself is starched enough to hold its shape. I’m 5’3″ and, although the length is supposed to be cropped, on me, it made for the ideal longer length. I wore a 30″ waist, and they were perfect.
This coat also comes in a classic tan hue.
My Review: I’ve always been something of a cardigan obsessive, but ever since Katie Holmes stepped out in her Khaite bradigan, what, four years ago, brands and designers have been serving up some of the coolest cardis I’ve seen. This style, complete with an oversized collar, is one of the soften I’ve worn. It’s lightweight but by no means flimsy; made from 100%, RMS- and RWS-verified wool, it’s guaranteed to keep you toasty. I styled mine with a crop top and some wide-leg trousers and, if I’m being honest, my photos just don’t do it justice. I’m going to snap one up for myself, and one for my mum for her Christmas. It’s that good.
The wide collar feels so current.
Chain necklaces are my style signature.
These best-selling trousers always fly.
My Review: Of all the items in my Whistles try-on, the one that blew me away was this coat. Camel coats are perhaps the most classic outerwear you can invest in, so, if you have the budget to do so, it’s something I’d always advising spending a little extra on to get one that’ll stand the test of time. This, dear reader, is that very camel coat. I tried on a 10 and being deliberately oversized, it fit well and still had room for a chunky knit. In fact, it wasn’t tight across my bum or legs in the slightest, meaning that there was no gaping or pulling when I belted it closed. I paired it with some cream-coloured jeans and a white shirt, both of which were also from Whistles, and some suede boots I already own for a monochrome outfit moment. To round off the already expensive-looking ensemble, I added this chic, croissant-shaped leather bag. Although it’s by no means cheap in itself, it is significantly more affordable than styles from Bottega Veneta and The Row which I’d compare it to.
Every other winter coat is ruined for me after trying on this.
A great addition to any well-rounded wardrobe.
Everyone will think this bag is designer.
I really liked the high-waist fit of these jeans.
My Review: With party season well within sight, it would have been remiss of me not to try on a more formal look. Simple, ’90s-style dresses are everywhere right now, so when I saw this elevated take on the strapless dress, I thought I’d give it a whirl. It’s not a silhouette I’d usually choose, so I was incredibly surprised at how much I loved it. Whistles has thought of everything in terms of its construction, from a rubberised panel around the neckline that touches the skin and helps to keep it from falling down to an elastic panel back for additional support. This is a dress I genuinely think I could attend an all-day wedding quite comfortably in. And that’s saying something.
Just add your favourite necklace or earrings.
This dress wasn’t too clingy around the stomach, which I loved.
My Review: For my final look, I decided to go for something a little extra—at least, extra for me. This shearling-trimmed leather jacket has all the timeless appeal of a vintage style and the quality finish I’d expect from a high-end designer, making it a sound investment, budget willing. Double-breasting is one of my favourite coat closures, too, and always helps to elevate outerwear. I tried this on in a 10 but I’d likely opt for a 12 as it did feel the tiniest bit snug on my hips. Per the outfit underneath, I chose a simple-looking ribbed midi dress with long sleeves and a high neckline. Truly, I was shocked at how flattering it was on, too. Somehow, it simultaneously cinched my waist and skimmed my tights to create a beautiful hourglass silhouette—yet another piece I’ve added to my now out-of-control Whistles basket.
The shearling jacket I tried is coming very, very soon. In the meantime, I have my eye on this biker style.
This dress was a surprise hit! It also comes in forest green.
This bag was too good to use in just one look.
I think I need to bite the bullet and buy these boots (again).
