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Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
9 fashion and beauty buys we're loving including linen trousers
Our fashion and beauty experts, Bethan Shufflebotham and Eve Rowlands, have scoured the high street for their top picks from Omnes, Selfridges and more With another Bank Holiday weekend on the horizon (so close we can almost taste it) our shopping sleuths are back with more covetable finds from the high street. From bronzed skin in a bottle to a bestselling linen dress, this week's edition of Weekend Wishlist is bursting with summer inspo. The edit is brimming with viral hits, warm weather staples, and the kind of products people whisper about in group chats. We're talking natural deodorant with a delicious scent, a cult tan mist that even pale girls can appreciate, and a hot day dress in the dreamiest colourway. From breezy trousers for beachy days to skincare must-haves, here's what we're loving now. Bethan's picks: PHLUR Father Figure Deodorant, £20 While many still believe natural deodorants are less effective than traditional ones, this one from cult-favourite brand PHLUR is free from aluminium and baking soda but still packs a punch – protecting against odour for up to 48 hours. Infused with salicylic acid and tamanu oil, it not only moisturises, but actually helps to brighten discolouration, too - a must for getting pits out in tank tops this summer. As for the scent? Think crisp, green, and understated cool. Some reviewers say it takes a moment to come into its own, but others prefer the subtle fragrance, which is great for layering. I've really enjoyed using this formula in recent weeks, not only does it smell beautiful, but it keeps my underarms feeling fresh all day, too. Beyond Nine Suki Linen Dress, £145 The Suki dress is one of Beyond Nine's most popular styles, and it's back in time for the heatwave in this gorgeous pollen stripe colourway that just screams summer. Boasting a dreamy combination of coral and pink and mustard, the dress has caused quite a stir on social media already, with fans commenting: 'Oh my word I just swooned,' and 'This dress shape looks so comfy.' However, one said they would love to see a dress with a round neckline from the brand, rather than the square Suki cut. With a floaty shape, shirred back, and pockets (praise be), it's as comfortable as it is flattering. Beyond Nine are known for their styles that can be worn throughout and post-pregnancy, so it's bump-friendly and picnic-ready, too. It's made from a breathable linen fabric and comes in at £145. Paired with chunky sandals, we think this is a dress to reach for all season long. Self Glow by James Read Tan Mist, £39 Made with 88% rosewater, this beauty buy is a hydrating gradual tanning spray that builds beautifully over time. I'm a super pale girl and have never really got along with tanning drops, but this mist is impossible to mess up and gives the most natural looking glow. It doesn't look like I'm wearing fake tan at all, but instead looks like I spent the afternoon in the garden. Ideal for those seeking a subtle yet effective tanning solution, the Sunblush Hydrating Tan Mist provides benefits such as deep hydration, skin toning, and a natural-looking glow. It can be used over or under makeup, and with consistent use, expect a beautifully enhanced complexion with a healthy, sun-kissed warmth. For those looking for something more noticeable, though, Tan-Luxe's THE FACE Light/Medium is ideal. A multi-award winning formula, these illuminating self-tan drops give a customisable, streak-free glow for £15. River Island x Atlas Cream Linen Trousers, £39 Inspired by Mediterranean coastlines and sun-drenched travels, these trousers are part of River Island's new collab with artist Adrianne Dimitrakakis. Made from a breathable linen blend with a wide-leg silhouette, they'll effortlessly take shoppers from beach walks to rooftop drinks with ease. Priced at £39, they have an elasticated waistband and are adorned with sunbursts, citrus fruits and tropical palms. They form part of the artists 45-piece collection with the high street chain, which spans women's, men's and children's clothes. Pair them with a cropped top or bikini and it's giving full summer energy. Omnes Nicolla Top in White, £35 A cute white top is a summer wardrobe must-have and can form the foundation of countless outfits and the Nicolla from Omnes is such a lovely option. With its puff sleeves, shirred bodice and peplum hem, it's romantic without trying too hard. And at £35, it's at a great price point too, especially seeing as it's made from responsibly sourced cotton. Available in sizes 4–24, it's guaranteed to elevate everyday basics, perfect for everything from denim pairings to midi skirts. Eve's picks: LookFantastic May Beauty box - £15 For beauty buffs wanting to treat themselves to some new products ahead of the summer season, Lookfantastic's latest May beauty box is a great little treat - for £15. Containing 6 full-size and deluxe sized beauty products, it's packed with brands like REN, Bondi Sands, Pixi, Bedhead and more that allow us to indulge in some TLC. As someone who regularly gets these Lookfantastic beauty boxes on its monthly subscription model, I believe this is its best offering yet. It pleasantly surprised me with its haul and includes REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel 150ml (worth £25), Bedhead After Party Smoothing Cream 100ml, and PIXI Clear Brow Tamer Brow Gel - all of which are full sizes. It also includes First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Fresh Strawberry Body Scrub with 10% AHA 28.3g in a deluxe-size, a LookFantastic Cleansing Cloth and a Bondi Sands face tanning serum. Read my full review of it here. Pour Moi swimsuit - £49 I love a swimsuit that will flatter, support and keep me covered up (in the right places) when beach days hit. Pour Moi's Square Neck Adjustable Underwired Swimsuit is comfortable and has been crafted with underwiring to give the girls some support, which is a great detail - it gives the option to order in bra sizes. I love its square neckline as opposed to scoop as it makes it versatile on holiday as it can be worn as both a swimsuit and a top, although one of my favourite aspects of the swimsuit is its adjustable ruched side. This detailing allows the wearer to have a high leg design or not with just the pull of the side string. This ruching also cinches in the waistline and is gorgeously flattering on my figure, giving it more of an hourglass shape (rather than my usual straight up and down look). HASK's new Texture Series As a curly girl, I'm always on the lookout for products that'll help tame my relatively unruly hair - especially in the summer. My typical go-to brands are Only Curls, Curlsmith and more recently HASK, and the latter has just released a new texture series which promises to bring the bounce, shine and spirals that all curly girl dreams are made of. Available at Amazon, the set consists of a Pre-Shampoo Detangler, Rice Water Rinse £9.99, Essential Moisture Recovery Mask, Extra Moisture Recovery Mask, Leave-In Conditioner and Strengthening Scalp and Hair Oil - all of which are £9.99. The products, respectively, contain nourishing ingredients like Kukui Nut Oil, shea butter, Castor Seed Oil, Black Seed and Baobab Oil, ricer water, aloe juice and more. While I've only tried the leave-in conditioner (which is made with FiberBond Technology to scientifically repair breakage), the silky smooth results that left my curls feeling lightweight, bouncy, frizz-free and lush have got me excited to try the rest of the range. H&M Linen-blend drawstring shorts - £19.99 I don't say this lightly: these shorts are possibly the best linen shorts I've ever worn. They are chic, stylish, comfortable (surprisingly so), flattering and they wash well. I bought these shorts for a holiday last year to Italy and as someone with no thigh gap, these shorts proved to be my best friend, especially in 35-degree heat, as they just sat so well. With a drawstring waist tie, they're a breeze to wear when eating out as they can be adjusted. The legs don't start too low down, causing the dreaded chaffing of thighs, nor are they too tight. The pleats at the front add lovely volume while the thick hemline gives the shorts a bit of elegance. Plus, being an off-white ivory, they go with pretty much anything and can be dressed down with sandals and a bikini top (on holiday), or down with some pumps and a swanky blouse. They also come in red, beige and black, costing £19.99.
Telegraph
15-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
The rise of size-fluid clothing (and it's not just for pregnant women)
You're attempting to button yourself into your favourite pair of trousers, but it's just not happening. We've all been there. Next time this happens though, consider this: it is estimated that the average woman changes dress size 31 times in her adult life. That equates to roughly once every two years, so is it any wonder there are times when our wardrobes don't fit us the way we want them to? Enter size-fluid clothing – a phrase I've made up but one that perfectly describes the appetite for women's fashion that grows and shrinks with you. For many women, the gateway to embracing this type of clothing is pregnancy, but since my husband and I were unable to have children, I came via a different route. Working from home during lockdown, I'd not only become accustomed to the comfort of tracksuit bottoms, I'd also put on weight. This was in part down to my discovery of the website, FrenchClick, from which I was able to order my favourite crisps in bulk in lieu of an actual holiday in France. As we emerged from the pandemic and I started a new job working in an office, those trackie bottoms just didn't cut it and my old smart trousers were too small, so I invested in a pair of trousers from a brand called Roake Studio. Their clever wrap design was the result of Roake Studio's founder Rosie Drake-Amery's desire to find stylish maternity wear that could be worn afterwards. I was a size 14 at the time, and in the three years that have followed, I've been anything between that and a size 10. Hence, I've worn these trousers at least once a week for that entire period. Shortly afterwards, I discovered the maternity brand Beyond Nine, thanks to a bright gingham jumpsuit that caught my eye at a pre-loved clothing sale. Its website boasts a plethora of balloon-shaped trousers, elastic waists and roomy jumpsuits. Loved by the influencer set, Beyond Nine also began as a maternity-and-beyond brand (as the name suggests), but its demographic is actually more than 75 per cent non-pregnant women. Its founder, Naomi Raybould, launched the brand the day before she had her second baby. 'I got pregnant with my first and realised I couldn't wear what I wanted,' she tells me. 'I had my baby and forgot about it, and then I got pregnant with my second and I wondered why no one was catering to this market. 'Maternity wear at the time was all polyester ruched bodycon dresses,' she continues. 'My mum lent me some jumpsuits that she wore in the 1980s when she was pregnant, and that's what sparked the idea.' On a mission to design something versatile and stylish, Raybould launched with two jumpsuits that catered for bumps, breastfeeding and C-sections, while still looking cool enough to wear well beyond (or in lieu of) that particular life stage. Dresses, tops and matching trousers followed, including the best-selling Mabel trousers; I have two pairs which have also seen me comfortably through three different dress sizes. 'We're very specific about the elastic,' explains Raybould. 'My experience was often that it was a very rigid, hard elastic that would give me a stomach ache. We spent a long time trying to find an elastic that works with you as your body fluctuates. Our customers say they make them feel amazing.' Hannah wears adjustable waist wide leg jeans jeans, £245, The Female Archetypes; silk t-shirt, £145, by Lora Gene; 'Kutsu' leather shoes, £190, by Beaumont Organic Of course, women's bodies go through changes at various stages of life. The Female Archetypes brand aims to address this with its four key items that can be adapted to fit sizes 8-18; moreover, with designs that include features such as underarm vents to provide ventilation during menopausal hot flushes. 'Why don't we just produce a few really great pieces that are sizeless and then keep them for a long time?' asks founder Alice Holland-Lu. The brand's smart Japanese indigo jeans that I am wearing above are created using an environmentally-friendly 'bio-wash' which results in a super-soft finish. Poppers that click into place and cinching buckles adjust the jeans securely to the correct size. I'm wearing size 1 here, which caters for sizes 8-12, while size 2 works for 14-18. 'I don't know what my body is going to do, not even on any given day but any time of day,' admits Holland-Lu as she demonstrates how to easily adjust them. A classic white shirt, navy blazer and olive trench coat complete the offering. All high-quality timeless classics, made as sustainably as possible. There are bonus features, too: the trench has dropped underarms with eyelets, as well as a mesh panel concealed under the back storm flap to allow for breathability on a busy commute. Each also comes with three sizes of side seam inserts that can be added and removed using poppers to suit the style or fit you'd like. Cotton trench, £695, The Female Archetypes 'I think I need to invest in a popper factory!' says Holland-Lu, as she waxes lyrical about using them for their ease and accessibility. 'I have a friend that had a stroke at 31, and my mum also had a stroke. One of my models is going through treatment for ovarian cancer and she said that you lose feeling in the bottom of your fingers. When you're in a situation where your mobility is compromised, if you can dress yourself, it's a huge deal for your self-esteem.' More subtle adaptability is ever-popular at Toast, as demonstrated by its Edo stripe wrap skirt and linen cotton tie shirt, both with adjustable off-centre fastens. The ribbon print dress that I am wearing here isn't the only one available that can be tied multiple ways. Hannah wears the viscose ribbon print dress, £195, Toast; 'Ida' leather fisherman sandals, £195, Mafalda 'An adaptable garment means you get the most out of an item – whether that's catering to a changing body or simply playing with the silhouette of an outfit,' says the brand's creative director, Laura Shippey. 'Our collections are designed for longevity and ease of wear is essential. This can take many forms from elasticated waists, drawstrings, tabs and relaxed silhouettes. Many of our foundational styles with adjustability have become core pieces that our community comes back to year after year. When it comes to consuming less, fluid sizing makes brilliant sense, but it's about more than just the environment and economics. 'I think as women we have to deal with so much that I just want to be comfortable,' agrees Holland-Lu. 'I don't want to feel like my clothes aren't supporting me.' Hannah wears the 'Ottie' denim jumpsuit in dark blue, £129, Beyond Nine; 'Audrey' organic cotton t-shirt, £59, Ivy; 'Mabel' wool socks in denim, £23, Rock + Ruby; Weejuns Mary Janes in wine, £175, GH Bass
Telegraph
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
I haven't worn heels since 2012 – here are the five flat styles that get me through every occasion
Thirteen years ago, I gave up wearing heels for good. At a time when fashion week's front rows were a sea of heels, I'd often be the only editor in sight not wearing a pair. It was so difficult to find a pair of stylish flat shoes in 2012 that I started writing a blog about it; a book deal followed, and I had two published under the moniker En Brogue (see what I did there?). Fast forward to 2025, and we're in a much better place when it comes to a healthy choice of shoe styles if, like me, you find walking/dancing/running in heels impossible. But there are still those occasions when the default is to reach for a pair, even if they're neither the most practical option, nor the one that suits your personal style. So as someone who gave up heels and never looked back, here are my five fail-safe flat shoe styles to get you through wedding season, job interviews and every kind of party. The metallic party shoe Hannah wears: Broiderie anglaise blouse, £125, The Well Worn; cupro trousers, £135, Beyond Nine; leather ballet flats, £135, GH Bass Nothing says party like a pair of disco shoes. I'd also argue that nothing says party like someone who is able to dance for hours without taking their shoes off, which is another reason why I am an advocate for wearing flats whatever the occasion (though kudos to you if you genuinely find heels comfortable enough to dance all night in. You are made of stronger stuff than me). Metallic leather is never not in style, so although there's a lot of it around at the moment, you'll be wearing it at future festivities, too. NB: if metallics aren't for you, feel free to replace with leopard print, or something with feathers – my other party shoe of choice is a pair of white patent leather lace-ups with a teal-coloured kiltie, rather like a pair of incredibly snazzy golf shoes. The formal (and non-formal) all-rounder Hannah wears: Organic cotton dress, £130, Beaumont Organic; leather Mary Janes, £219, Penelope Chilvers As well as serving very well as a formal flat, Mary Janes are also the perfect shoe to elevate the humble jeans and T-shirt combo to a more dressed-up status. I've recently resurrected an old favourite pair of leopard print ones that are about 15 years old, and these from Penelope Chilvers are very similar. There's something about a Mary Jane that's a little more chic than a ballet flat, but the low-cut vamp still gives the same leg lengthening effect. I have a white pair in my own shoe collection that's seen me through countless parties and was a great office shoe (when I worked in one). For a different spin, I love these square toe beauties from Alohas, which have a neat bow in place of the Mary Jane signature buckle strap. The office must-have Hannah wears: Organic cotton dress, £110, Albaray; c otton and nylon blend socks, £19, Lanx; l eather shoes, £190, Beaumont Organic I'd probably swap the mustard socks I'm wearing in this picture for a black pair if I was actually going to a job interview, but I think it's important to show how you can style a handy pair of black lace-ups in situations that aren't office-based, because the key to shoe longevity is finding styles that work in multiple situations. My own black Grenson brogues, which were a gift for the launch of my first book in 2014, fall into the Incredibly Useful section of my wardrobe. They have an all-important chunky sole, which stops them straying into school shoes territory. The smart sandal Hannah wears: Organic cotton dress, £79, Ivy; quilted bag, £65, The Well Worn; leather fisherman sandals, £195, Mafalda I spent much of a friend's wedding a few years ago admiring the chutzpah of a guest that had teamed her dressed up outfit with a pair of Salt-Water sandals. I'd never seen the ubiquitous summer go-to for busy mums who want a practical, waterproof sandal worn as a dress shoe, but I liked it. I have my own pair of white leather fisherman sandals from a brand that is sadly no longer trading, so they are very well cared for. The partially enclosed toe of a fisherman lends a slightly more formal look than an open-toed sandal. My 10-year-old pair is still going strong, but if I needed to replace them, I'd either go for Grenson's Queenie sandals or some of the insanely comfortable 'Ida' sandals by Mafalda that I am wearing here. The slimline boot Hannah wears: Organic cotton dress, £139, Align; leather boots, £240, Anne Thomas The key to finding a versatile black ankle boot is, in my opinion, to hunt out a style that fits nice and snugly to your leg. This means that you can wear the boots with black tights and shorter hem lengths without feeling like you forgot to take off your wellies when you popped the bins out just before you left for your date night dinner. Unfortunately, I am sad to tell you that my own pair – which are fantastic and very well loved – are from another brand that isn't around any more (this is why it's so important to support responsible independent brands, everyone!), but I've found some great alternatives that do the same job. Of course, black ankle boots look equally as good with all sorts of other outfits, too, so always make a great investment.
