White Stuff
With this White Stuff review today, I’m focusing on a company I haven’t previously discussed. I’ve had to give it some serious thought, but I believe the reason I’ve featured their clothing so infrequently is because, for a very long time, I didn’t feel like I was their client. The new staff there, which I was delighted to find now includes several fantastic folks I know who have transferred over from other businesses that I really appreciated. However, I know people like to know what goes on in the background while a brand is being refreshed. So let me share what I’ve discovered so far.
White Stuff has been forced to spend some time refocusing over the previous couple of years, similar to the majority of businesses. Their existing consumer is older than most of us, but she still matters to them since she has grown up with the brand. They have been thinking about who they genuinely want to see wearing their products. However, they’re also eager to cater to a new clientele that they regard more in terms of thinking than age.
I asked them to describe their ideal client for me, and they said that she’s independent, she makes her own decisions, she values her originality over following trends, and she’s not a slave to fashion. She also wants to seem fashionable and like she has her finger on the pulse. Of course, women of all ages possess this mindset, but according to White Stuff’s research, Midlifers are more likely to possess these traits. Given that we are aware of who we are and what we desire. And that makes perfect sense to me. We enjoy being current with fashion, seeing trends when we see them, and occasionally incorporating them into our wardrobes to keep them current, but overall we want to create a capsule wardrobe that works for us and will endure. Therefore, White Stuff’s statement that their goal is to create interesting modern apparel was fantastic.
So the very first of their new items will start to emerge this season. They’ve been busy experimenting with various colour schemes, and they hope that season after season, their ensembles will remain modular. With each new collection, they’ll allow you to add new tonal items to the ensembles you currently own rather than introducing entirely new colour schemes.
They are also putting a lot of effort into sustainability. As of now, 60% of their product lines have sustainable sourcing, and they promise to reach 100% by the end of 2023, which is sooner than other retailers I know, who are claiming 2025. Their swimwear is already produced from wool that has been certified by Responsible Wool Standards and a fibre composed entirely of recycled materials (REPREVE).
Thus, I’d characterise White Stuff as a brand that was perhaps a bit jaded, but it has now been picked up by a group of fine individuals, and it will be fascinating to see how it develops. I was eager to test out some of the early pieces from their new line, and as I browsed the website, I was reminded of the fantastic White Stuff skirts I used to wear when the boys were younger. Do you recall when reversible clothing was popular? They quickly became popular on the schoolyard. The concept was that you could have two skirts or dresses for the price of one. In my experience, it just meant that when my skirt was coated in mud or sticky fingerprints, which was frequently, I could hide behind a bush and flip it inside out.
Obviously, I’m past my bush ducking days, but it occurs to me that something similar would be fantastic for travel bags. Oh, and they used to sell them on a rail with well-fitting plain t-shirts that complemented each colour in the design, so if you bought four different tees and two reversible skirts, you could create sixteen distinct looks in less than five minutes
For the first time in a long time, I browsed the White Stuff collection, and it occurred to me that this is truly their home territory. They cater to the smarter end of the casual spectrum, and I can already see how the tone of their ranges will make it possible to create a capsule wardrobe out of a few mix-and-match items, much as in the past. Before I show you the outfits.
I was surprised by the weight and quality of the products I had bought when my delivery came. Even while the mixtures they’ve utilised make them feel like natural materials. However, the lamb’s wool, cotton, and denim apparel had an almost old feel to them, which was comforting. Given how many stores are trying to find methods to control their margins, it made me realise how acclimated to lighter mixes I’ve become.
Look - 1
I’m now donning a Spring clothing that truly kept me warm for the first time, something that is suited for the season. I’m constantly seeking for a lighter-colored coat at this time of year. I have a traditional camel one, but this weekend when visiting Manchester, I was struck by how commonplace they are. I suppose everyone is searching their closets for something that seems a bit less wintery. Since we’re going to be wearing jackets for at least another few weeks, this one, with its azure blue tweed look, felt like the perfect choice for the upcoming winter chills. It’s designed to fit loosely with dropped shoulders, so I downsized to a 10 for a neater result. However, if you love that style, a size 8 will raise the shoulder seams up and still be a wonderful fit. You only need to experiment with these things to see what suits your body’s structure the best.
All of the outfits I’m going to show you revolve around the boots since they go with everything. Since the lug soles we’ve become accustomed to over the past several years will likely soon be phased away, I’ve been hunting for a pair of tan leather shoes but haven’t been able to locate any without an extremely heavy track sole. You’ll have a pair like this in your closet for a very long time because they included a secret elasticized strip that allowed them to suit any calf size and were immediately comfy.
The jeans are a traditional slim straight cut with an easy fit. I’m wearing a size 12, but even though they were comfortable, I could have easily gone down to a 10. If you’re unsure of your size, go with the smaller option. They also come in a dark wash, but because this was all about spring, I was drawn to the bright blue wash since it’s a fantastic way to have vibrant colour on your lower half while still wearing it in the summer.
I was wearing a cable knit tank top underneath, which is another item that will be perfect for the months to come as it will undoubtedly start to become warmer soon. The cut helps visibly narrow rather than lengthen shoulders, which is especially beneficial if you have broad shoulders as I do.
And below is what I would consider to be one of White Stuff’s all-time classic items, a long-sleeve cotton t-shirt. Although it may appear to be really simple, the key lies in the design and fabric quality. With a neckline that hangs below the clavicles, a dipped hem, and seven various colours to choose from, my favourite is this vivid blue.
Look - 2
There aren’t many new trends this season. The main significant change will be the gradual transition to a more tailored form. The mini is replacing the midi as we go away from the loose shapes that have been popular to accommodate Christmas and winter waistlines and toward a more streamlined appearance. Although I doubt I’ll wear a mini without tights in the summer, I’m having a great time experimenting with them right now. This one is made of organic cotton, and like all of White Stuff’s collections, it ends just above the knee. In fact, the tights are among my all-time favourite finds since they are made of pure cotton, have excellent opacity, and are quite cosy to wear.
And the pink sweater looks absolutely lovely with the skirt. A few commenters on the WS website have mentioned that they found the Merino, wool, and cotton combination irritating. If you have really sensitive skin, it can annoy you. My neck is reasonably sensitive, yet I found it to be OK. It recently went on sale, so it’s a great deal.
Look - 3
Well look at another spring wardrobe in colours that are as vibrant as the season. Tan jeans are hard to come by, but I really like how they complement the boots for a color-blocked, leg-lengthening effect. Skinnies are always helpful to have in your wardrobe because they’re so simple to slip into boots and wellington boots. They’d serve as a neutral basis to pair with a variety of other colours. Again, a really comfortable fit and made of stretch cotton. If in doubt about your size, go down a size or two.
The jumper’s beautiful collar design makes it colourful and comfortable to wear. If you wish to pair it with skirts or jeans with broader legs, it features a split hem that is lower in the back and is simple to tuck in. Even though it’s constructed of 79% lamb’s wool, folks with really sensitive skin could find it irritating.
Final Verdict
So that’s my recommended outfits for this White Stuff review, it’s been at least ten years since I last looked at them. The primary features that caught my attention were the quality, fit, and their appealing tonal colour ranges. It’s encouraging to know that they have some lofty sustainability goals and are working hard to achieve them. I particularly appreciate that they have midlifers as their primary target market and that they have found a niche for clothing that is more smart casual than entirely casual. I’d say there’s a certain need that Hush filled before they took over two years ago that has to be filled. They have some talented employees, so let’s hope they can contribute to the production of the well-designed, classic pieces that might serve as the true foundation of our capsule wardrobe. I wish them the best of luck.