Editors are good at writing about what other people should wear, but not so great at challenging their own fashion habits. So, we decided to see what happens when you make two of them swap wardrobes for a week.
Well, not literally – no one wants to hand over their box-fresh Air Max – so we let them shop for each other from the new season collection at Very instead. Cue a week of soul-searching and [90% denim-related] sartorial meltdowns.
Delphine (left): I appreciate a bold accent (a statement earring or an eye-catching jumper), but Alison is the master of all-out dressing. Enter a pink neon two-piece.
One thing’s for sure, neon on neon will make even the shyest wallflowers stand out. Colleagues stopped me in the corridor to compliment me and all pre-meeting small talk centred around my ‘bold suit’.
Alison (right): I once told Delphine her style was 'utilitarian' and she was quite offended, but it was genuinely meant as a compliment - I admire her strong silhouettes and pared-back colour palette. I tend to be so influenced by trends that my wardrobe can be all over the place.
Rust (inexplicably Delphine’s favourite shade) isn't something I’d naturally gravitate to. However, I loved the ‘70s style of this jumpsuit and it was really comfy (quote of the day: ‘You feel like my sofa’.)
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Alison: I have a love of tacos and Cadbury that doesn’t sit well with white trousers. But, I liked the simplicity of this look and the muted base layer meant the snakeskin trench was the star of the show. For someone who believes more is always more, this showed you can strip it back a bit - yes, snakeskin is stripped back for me - and still make a statement.
Delphine: I like rules and routine when it comes to my wardrobe – I know what works for me and what doesn’t. Alison’s a lot more experimental, so I had to step a little out of my comfort zone. I usually team culottes with a more streamlined top to even out the shape, but wearing a chunky knit on top made it feel more laidback. I loved the neon and animal print accents, too.
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Delphine: The shirt, jeans and statement trainers uniform is a throwback to my early 20s (I decided I wanted to be Scandinavian after a weekend in Copenhagen.) I only occasionally wear shirts these days, but I loved the detail on the cuff. Mom jeans are also a shape I've never tried before and because of my height (5"3 1/2), I'd be tempted to cut and fray them another couple of cm up, because I'd want everyone to see my shoes, obviously.
Alison: This look was cute and I don’t really do cute – I do clothes that men don’t understand. But, it really grew on me and I could see myself wearing it to brunch on weekends. Plus, the chunky trainers were giving me Spice Girl flashbacks – in a good way.
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Alison: Despite beige being this season’s coolest colour, I worried that a beige trouser suit could look more bank teller than boss lady. But, the cool silhouette of the double-breasted jacket and wide leg trousers made a huge difference. I was a big fan of the '70s Diane Keaton vibes.
Delphine: Cycling shorts when I definitely wasn't exercising were a push for me. The look got some strong reactions. I was called ‘a cool Kimmy K’ and 'business on top, athleisure on the bottom’. While I love a power blazer and liked the boyfriend fit of the white shirt, plus the statement trainers, cycling shorts for work may take some getting used to.
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Delphine: I liked how easy – yet dressed - this outfit was. I felt instantly elevated by the colour, even on five hours' sleep, and the white boots were a welcome change to trainers. Plus, I got a free croissant at Pret, so I must’ve been looking fresh.
Alison: I was secretly delighted Delphine picked this out. The '80s boiler suit is back and it's such an easy way into the utility trend - the ultimate in confident power dressing. Just don't ask me to pee in a hurry.
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Alison: Fashion-wise, I’m generally up for anything. But, I did miss my bold wardrobe. I think I probably rely on it to give me that extra bit of confidence in work situations. I guess I’m surprised how much I use fashion to communicate and shape how others see me. That’s my biggest takeaway – other than a newfound love for chunky trainers.
Delphine: I didn’t quite realise how muted my wardrobe was until Alison put me in an overload of colour and print – and I didn’t hate it. I also got more Instagram likes than ever in my hot pink suit, so I’m now a neon convert. Will I be incorporating some of my work wife’s aesthetic into my own look? Definitely.
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