Gentlewoman-styling #1: denim at Whistles

I’m starting to think about spring purchases and I’m going to begin with some gentlewomanly-denim.

By gentlewoman styling, I mean that clean, androgynous casualness that is influencing absolutely everyone’s advertising and editorial campaigns this season. It’s a sort of minimal mash-up between Celine, COS and The Gentlewoman magazine (out now btw, with the wonderful Bjork on the cover) with a strong dose of quality fabric. The good news is you don’t have to be 25 years old to pull it off.

A good place to start is with this season’s cleaner-looking denim, there’s loads around as it’s having a ‘moment’. I am a mad indigo fan so I’ll be cherry picking some good shapes to invest in. I really like what Whistles is offering, from the clean and dark indigo wide legged trousers above (SO much easier than flares!) at £95, to the collarless frayed-edge jeans jacket. I’ve tried both on and they are a good fit, quite elegant and with that essential ‘clean’ feel to the silhouette.

Whistles does excellent trousers, I’ve always put this down to CEO Jane Shepherdson hardly ever being seen in anything else, therefore something of an expert. It’s a good brand to start with if you are looking for a pair. And a word about shoes….It really has to be flats, try Whistles thick soled sneakers in navy, comfy and perfect with the look.

If denim isn’t your fabric, perhaps think about the indigo marled Tunille textured overcoat at £375, from the resort collection. It’s made from a slubby linen and cotton mix that has a great soft drape, giving it a luxury, casual slouch. There’s a pair of Tunilla wide legged trousers in the same fabric i’ve got my eye on, at £250, which flattered my mum….always a great sales hook!

Food for spring-purchasing thought.