Fashion Done Your Own Way

by Molly Dutton

Sustainability is a key element of every aspect of life, especially as environmental damage has become an important topic in the political and social landscape. In my articles I often draw upon the importance of making sustainable fashion choices, whether it be regularly or just when you are able to (I know that it’s not always the easiest or most accessible lifestyle choice). With my love of environmentally friendly items acting as the backbone of many of my articles, I always try to make good choices when it comes to my fashion items, which I then want to feedback to you to help provide inspiration for your future endeavours. I am by no means the queen of sustainability and I have a long way to go in terms of educating myself on the environmental impact of the fashion industry, however I do feel that we can work together and grow as a team on this journey. Last month I had the privilege of corresponding with the amazing brand ‘Winser London’ whose items exude class and modernity, standing at the forefront of professional and classic fashion. When I first came into contact with the brand, I was extremely excited to explore the stunning selection of pieces that can be seen on the likes of Cat Deeley and the many other brand ambassadors of the company. As someone who has never stepped foot in the professional working world, I can openly admit that I was initially unsure of how to incorporate the garments into my overall fashion aesthetic, however this quickly diminished when I saw the incredible array of colours and shapes that are adaptable to any situation from a night out to a morning meeting. Opening my eyes to a new realm of formal dressing, Winser London represents the strong, modern woman and the beauty of individuality through clear cut, bold fashion garments; a symbolic combination of professionalism and play. It would be unfair of me to promote this brand without discussing the wearability of their garments in an everyday setting, especially due to the fact that, as much as it saddens me to say, you’re more likely to find me at a local shopping spot or pub than in

a modern office building in the big city. As you all know, I’m no rookie in the world of online browsing so, when I took to browsing the garments on Winser London’s online page, I was truly in my element. The garments are beautifully made and, as a former textiles student, it took me a moment to stop admiring the technical construction of the clothes with all of their sharp lines and neat tailoring. As it is officially the summer, I decided to explore the brighter options for my outfits as I am very much drawn to the ‘statement pieces’ that can be accentuated with the use of colourful accessories. It took me all of five minutes to fall upon an oversized lilac shirt with matching shorts that almost screamed at me across the screen. Oversized options can be fairly daunting at first as it can be hard to picture how you would style the garment without trying it on in person, but the website made it easy to see how the shirt would look when put on. After a moment of consideration, I felt that I could really work with the shirt on its own as part of a brunch look (summer shirts are made for drinking mimosas and eating bagels in). On arrival, the shirt was beautifully packaged and arranged within its box and felt like the lightest and softest material I have ever owned; I was very impressed. The only option of course was to get out every bag that I own (I don’t think I need to tell you how many) and give the shirt the accessorising that it deserved. Ultimately, I broke all rules in the unspoken fashion rule book because it’s always better to be bold rather than boring; I selected a yellow mini bag (the most unpractical item but we’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it), a pair of nude sandal heels and, of course, lots of gold jewellery. The yellow and lilac crossover was a huge risk but as with everything in life, if you wear it with confidence you will never be questioned. To break away from my ever-present colourful moment, I felt that a classic item would not go a miss and classical garments are Winser London’s speciality. I never feel better than when I’m wearing a shirt and leather trousers. I can’t tell you what it is about that combination, but it provides me with such a strong sense of confidence that I will wear it continually to all events. It is always important to stock up your wardrobe with a selection of timeless pieces as this will help your overall sustainability by pulling you away from the trends that are always replaced in a short period of time. There is nothing wrong with following the prevailing trends of the time but, by having a couple of staple garments, it is much easier to create outfits that you can re-wear time and time again. With this in mind, I set my sights upon a gorgeous black, silk, button-up shirt that I could clearly envision paired with my favourite black leather leggings (not the same ones as the infamous teen leather leggings, there is no cause for alarm). Differently to my other look, I incorporated the classic undertones into my accessory choices too, rather than opting for any statement accessories. Using the same nude heels, I instead chose a black and white saddle bag and some delicate gold accessories to compliment the subtle beauty of the silk shirt. This would be an immediate choice for a sophisticated dinner and drinks, or even a stylish lunch date. This summer is all about enjoying ourselves, so go out and dress confidently, you deserve it.