s the season shifts, it can be easy to feel uninspired by your wardrobe. Cotton Traders' style expert shared her top tips for feeling good and looking your best in the British Summer.

The festive season is over and the first month of the year is a time of mindfulness and recuperation. Still, many Brits are spending valuable time on the web looking for new outfits to only wear them once.

It is essential to know what jeans are best for you to maximise your confidence on a day-to-day basis!
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While jeans are a staple in everyone’s wardrobes, it is sometimes hard to figure out the style, colour and length which may be the best fit for yourself. To work out the right type of jeans, you need to be able to learn and acknowledge your body type first.

Whether you are tall or petite, have an hourglass body or many more, here is your guide to uncover your body shape and what jeans will be the best for you.

Hourglass

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An hourglass body means your top half and bottom half are well proportioned to one another. Your waist will be defined and smaller than the rest of your body. To accentuate those natural curves, you may want to opt for a fitted style of jeans, mainly flares or bootcut. These denim types will give focus to your waist while creating another hourglass appearance on your legs as the bottom of the jeans will widen. Another option for those who do not appeal to that style is slim jeans. Like flare denim, slim jeans will hug the waist, but also the rest of your leg, showcasing your calves as well. As for choosing the colour denim, light or washed denim would increase the appearance of your voluptuous curves.

Flare jeans, recommendations:

Blue mid-rise flared jeans | River Island

Circle

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A circle body, often known as an apple-shaped body, suggests your upper body is fuller than your lower body. A lighter bottom half will centralise the focus to your slim legs. As for the style, mom jeans – which are cuffed at your ankles – will highlight your waist and the bottom of your legs. Another style that will also suit your shape is straight leg jeans. This style will still wrap your figure perfectly; however, a loosened fit will make your legs appear much slimmer.

Mom jeans, recommendations: 

PrettyLittleThing Vintage Wash Mom Jean | PrettyLittleThing

Rectangle

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If you have a rectangular body shape, your measurements will all be proportional to one another. You will also appear on the slimmer side and your waist may not be as defined; therefore, the focus purely needs to be on your legs. Skinny, slim and distressed jeans are going to be right for you. Tight jeans are going to accentuate your slenderness, while distressed jeans will give you a chance to show off some leg: a necessity for you when going out.

Skinny jeans, recommendations:

Stradivarius super high waist skinny jeans with rips in grey | ASOS

Inverted Triangle

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An inverted triangle body shape is the complete opposite of your normal triangle. Your shoulders and chest will be the widest part of your body, while your legs are the slimmest. A pair of cropped straight jeans is going to be the ideal style for you. The style will fit your legs, without being too tight or loose, whilst the length will show off your slim clave. Darker denim will give the illusion of even slimmer legs and hips.

Cropped Jeans, recommendations:

COLLUSION x005 90s cropped straight leg jeans in washed blue | ASOS

ONLY Dark Grey Double Waist Crop Jeans | New Look

Triangle

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The triangular body consists of your hips and buttocks being the widest part of your body, creating the bottom of the triangle with your waist being the sides and your chest as the tip. Some women with this body shape may want to highlight their hips, as men and women typically see this trait as a positive feature. Therefore, you should most definitely go for a pair of dark wash mom jeans, as they naturally have a slight curve from your waist to the upper thigh which will give definition to your curves. However, some women may not want to bring attention to these parts, so boyfriend jeans would be the best style choice. Boyfriend jeans hug your waist but they are typically looser and look more relaxed. Occasionally, there will be some rips and frays on boyfriend jeans which adds more to the relaxed and chilled appearance, that they give off.

Boyfriend jeans, recommendations:

Plt Acid Blue Wash Open-knee Boyfriend Jean | PrettyLittleThing

Long Tall Sally Indigo Boyfriend Jean | Next UK online shop

Being well-dressed can make all the difference in a man’s work and personal life.

Ph. The Lazy Artist Gallery, Pexels

Read on to find out what we have unearthed to be men’s professional wardrobe essentials in 2021.

Undoubtedly, the modern professional man has more options than in previous decades to express himself; here we are going to take a quick look at how men’s fashion has evolved into the looks that we know and look to for inspiration today.

Men’s fashion has taken some drastic changes, although there are some elements that we can still see today, paying tribute to the smart dressers our ancestors were. For example, the simple work shirt has been around since the Victorian era, often dressed in a waistcoat, tailored trousers and the occasional top hat.

Looking at the last 50 years in men’s fashion alone we can see the influences in modern work clothes. From the love of patterns and paisley in the '70s, power dressing and full shoulders of the '80s, the baggy revolution of the '90s to the slimmed-down opposite in the '00s – each era has what men wear today.

10 Men’s Professional Wardrobe Essentials

There are some classic pieces that every professional man should own. To make it easy for you, we have created a men’s wardrobe essentials checklist below to get started.

1. White Shirt

Ph. Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels

A crisp white shirt is essential for any professional Whether you are in a busy office or heading to after-work drinks, a white shirt is a clean slate and something that you can easily style with accessories.

2. Khaki Pants

Having a pair of khaki pants in your wardrobe means that you are covered no matter the event. If you are heading to a smart casual event or meeting, team them up with a shirt. For a more casual look, switch for a polo or T-shirt.

3. Plain T-shirt

A plain t-shirt is perfect for chilling out but still looking stylish, or you can pair it with a jacket or blazer to give it a little more of a smart casual look. Look at getting a few colours so you can have some variety.

4. Jeans

It sounds simple, right? But a good pair of jeans can make or break an outfit. Look into a pair that fit well, are comfortable and can be worn with a range of different style tops. When it comes to jeans, see them as an investment piece.

5. Coat

As the colder months set in, you are going to need a decent coat. Gone are the days where waterproof coats will make you look like a walking marshmallow! You can find coats that look stylish while also keeping you warm and dry. Top tip: a black coat will go with all of your outfits.

6. Polo Shirt

The polo shirt may have started on the pitch with a horse in tow, but now it is a comfortable addition to the professional wardrobe, appropriate for dress-down days or a relaxed event.

7. Sweater

Another winter warmer for you – a sweater can easily be paired with any kind of trouser whether you prefer khaki pants, chinos or jeans a decent sweater will work with them all. This can also be your opportunity to have a little bit of colour in your wardrobe. Consider a blue, green or red sweater – give it a go!

8. Shoes

These boots were made for walking, after all. Whatever your style choice investing in a pair of shoes that will not only look good but are comfortable to wear is a smart choice, it is something you will wear every day so it is worth spending a little more where you can to get the right shoe.

9. Belt

Make sure you are covered with a belt that you can trust to keep your outfit in one piece. It is also an excellent accessory. Do not forget – make sure you match your belt and shoes and avoid the fashion police.

10. Blazer

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A blazer can be a game-changer and allows you to introduce a pattern or some colour into your outfit without going too over the top. So why not try something a little different, perhaps a checked pattern that you can mix up with different colour shirts or trousers.

You are now ready to add those essential pieces to your wardrobe that will make you look professional, while also feeling confident. Go get them!

Autumn/Winter 2021 fashion trends have landed, bringing some much-needed fresh air to our wardrobes after a year of pandemic outfits. We’ve all been there over the last twelve months: trendy tops over tedious PJ bottoms and joggers. Luckily, the best of this season’s catwalks lend themselves perfectly to thrifting, meaning massive savings and a sustainable approach to fashion. Below are the best of the cold season’s trends, along with some hints on fool-proof second-hand purchases.

A/W 2021 collections dive into past vibes with an early ‘00s revival, generational trips and a host of bold, chunky textures. After months of budget-cutting, now is the time to quench your thirst for new clothing through thrifting.

Time Machine: 2000s Nostalgia And ‘60s Monochrome

Patchwork Fantasy

Photo by gmello, Pixabay

Comfort Wraps, Resort Dreams

Photo by Tamara Bellis, Unsplash

Photo by Murilo Bahia, Unsplash

Photo by Alexandra Tran, Unsplash

Photo by Vladimir Yelizarow, Unsplash

Chunky Textures And Furry Hugs

Photo by Olga Kozachenko, Unsplash 

Photo by Perchek Industrie, Unsplash

All-over Logos And Cascade Of Pleats

Covering creations with one’s own logo is too strong a temptation, at least for Versace, Fendi and many others. For some, the signature ends up covering the whole fabric as micro patterns; for Valentino it becomes a timeless geometric decoration; for Givenchy a translucent hint over a sheer curtain; and for Marine Serre a copied & pasted motif from head to… shoes.

This season, skirts and trousers are maxi and floating in satin fabrics to exalt the beauty of infinite pleats, checks or tartan (Max Mara, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jil Sander, Plan C).

Photo by Hermes Rivers, Unsplash

Saturate Or Shine Bright!

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Photo by Andreas Weiss, Unsplash

Photo by Corina Rainer, Unsplash

Photo by Ahai Lulerhe, Unsplash

Photo by Good Faces, Unsplash

Photo by Hamed picsart, Unsplash