Is anyone else just so ready to welcome the autumn/winter season? I can't wait to wrap up in full-length coats, get cosy in cashmere and finally be able to wear denim without the regret that comes with sweating on the commute home. It’s undoubtedly my favourite season, as it is for many fashion editors, as the cooler temperatures give us an excuse for more layers (which, you do the maths, means more clothes). At Who What Wear UK, when we enter into the new chapter of the year, and especially in September—around fashion month and the arrival of the "back to school" mood—the office is filled with chatter about new purchases and pieces we can’t wait to get back into our wardrobes again (puffer coat, is that you?).
One brand that comes up time and time again is Whistles. No surprise there—you’ll have no doubt seen our autumn dressing guides and capsule-wardrobe edits brimming with its joyous colourful knitwear, premium leather pieces and denim. But this season seems stronger than ever. Maybe I’ve just been wearing cotton minidresses for too long and have been starved of really good, wrap-up-worthy pieces for too long, but I don’t think it’s that. Standout staples from the recent Whistles collection—and current obsessions that live in my mind rent-free—include but are not limited to this sublime patchwork denim button-down.
In recent years, Whistles has broadened its horizons and feels more at the forefront of our minds when perusing the high street on a Saturday afternoon (or online during a lunchtime scroll). From its cool collaborations with It-girl brand Hai, the truly phenomenal bridal collections that really have proven you don’t need to spend a fortune on a wedding dress; or most recently, its new bricks-and-mortar store in Covent Garden, Whistles seems to be going from one success to another.
Speaking of the Covent Garden space—have you been yet? Having opened its doors on 13 September, this brand-spanking new store is the latest flagship. With contemporary interior features that feel as sleek and sumptuous as the brand’s collections, expect exposed-brick walls, terracotta tiles and stone features over the two floors. As for its services, the bespoke styling suite offers complimentary 1-2-1 personal styling appointments, tailored to the customers' needs. Brides-to-be can also pre-book private wedding appointments, where they can tap into expert advice to find their perfect dress. All appointments can be booked in-store or online here.
I went to the new store to check out the space and see the brand-new A/W 24 collection. Using the swanky new changing rooms, I styled four looks that caught my eye and that will no doubt be on heavy rotation for me in the coming months. Be it the perfect black suit for office days or sequinned tops for dinner dates and special occasions, these are the pieces I was most drawn to.
Style Notes: What is a wardrobe without a great pair of jeans? Whistles denim is second to none, as is its co-ords offering. This season, the brand has created this denim two-piece with the option of barrel-fit jeans or a longer, wide-leg silhouette. There’s nothing more classic than blue denim with red, so when I saw these ballet flats, I reached for them immediately. The silk scarf is by one of the independent brands that Whistles stocks in store, Sahar by ModestMira, which I love to wear either tied on my handbag, or if I want to up the French-girl aesthetic, around my neck and tucked into my collar.
Style Notes: PSA: Whistles has some excellent going-out looks ahead of party season, including this sequinned top and black PVC midi skirt. Of course, there’s more to come in the next few months, but this is a great start. What I love most about both these items is that you can easily dress them down. The top could be worn for lunch or dinner with jeans and a white, strappy top underneath, or to elevate it, I would just wear a chic bra (see-through tops are everywhere right now). Similarly, the skirt would be super cute for the office with a cosy knit. Versatile, wearable pieces is definitely this brand’s strong suit!
Style Notes: Part of Whistles' Limited Edition collection for A/W 24 are a few pieces featuring this fantastic horse print. If, like Bella and Gigi Hadid, you’re a #HorseGirl (or even if you're not but you’d like to emulate the TikTok trend, like me), these silky items are perfect. Made from super-soft satin, they feel and look extremely premium and are very comfortable to wear. I wanted to bring out the '70s vibe with this dress, so I layered it with the Bonded Leather Sleeveless Blazer and some suede knee-high boots. This dress is truly one of those you can wear for many—or any—occasions. Date night? Check! Back-to-back meetings in the office? Check! There’s also a button-down in the collection with the same motif, which would look great with flared blue jeans.
Style Notes: If I'm honest, the clothing I wear most at this time of year is tailoring. Between fashion month and the festive season, the fashion calendar is very busy, and like the rest of the team, I find myself dashing around town between events and meetings almost every day of the week. Because of this, I look to comfortable pieces that are well-cut and comfortable, and I like to play with how I style them. This mint green button-down, also from the Limited Edition collection, is a favourite. With a slender boot and belt, the suit feels polished but not boring. To dial it down, the pants would also suit a chunkier ankle boot or sneaker, paired with Whistles' classic Bonded Leather Jacket (one of its signature designs). It works both ways.
Want to browse more? Discover the full A/W 24 Whistles collection here.
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