The White Company has always been a high street stalwart for bedding, slippers and baby gros but its clothing has traditionally played second fiddle to homewares. Until now. This autumn, its womenswear has been given something of a glow-up courtesy of its newly-appointed clothing director Sheila McKain, who learned to design for the modern woman who appreciates minimalism at Donna Karen (as well as Oscar de la Renta). And while there’s still plenty of cashmere and cosiness, you’ll find it’s most definitely got a finger on the fashion pulse.
Coinciding with the brand’s 30th anniversary, The White Company is pioneering what it’s calling a “new clothing vision”. As part of the reimagining process, McKain drew on the archives of Chrissie Rucker, The White Company’s founder. “She has some amazing pleated-front black trousers from the 90s, we just updated the shape, and a much-loved silk shirt dress has some pleats added to the back,” says McKain.
Its design tenets remain undiluted, it’s just the ‘fashion’ has been dialled up a notch. McKain’s hope is to appeal to entice fans old and new. “Our loyal customers continue to trust us for timeless, quietly beautiful pieces, and we’ve designed this collection to feel relevant and exciting to them. At the same time, with new silhouettes, layering options, and a touch of sportiness and fluidity, we’re confident this fresh vision will resonate with a younger, wider audience.”
You can see the evidence of this balance in the brand’s cashmere, a signature at The White Company. “Our cashmere will always be our cornerstone - it’s amazing quality at a great price point, using different plys to layer,” says McKain. Its cashmere hoodie has a new fit, flush to the body, so it performs like a second skin if worn alone or an excellent underlayer. Its other standout cashmere jumper, meanwhile, is a crew-neck style with just the right amount of heft that you could pair with barrel-leg jeans for off-duty or a leather maxi skirt for work. The floor-length, funnel-neck maxi is definitive proof that sweater dresses can be an elegant proposition.
The c-word might feel like a way off - that’s coat, FYI! - but autumn is just around the corner, which means it’s closer than you think. The White Company’s outerwear line-up is truly superlative, perhaps its strongest category, with the kind of coats that will have you looking forward to a bleak midwinter (almost).
During autumn, you couldn’t do better than its butter yellow draped trench coat, which is a fluid blend of LENZING™ ECOVERO™. Elongated to fall between the mid-calf and ankle, it’s truly a multitasker that you could dress up (with summer’s trending lace slip dress) or down (try a white tee, baggy jeans and Birkenstocks).
Its suede batwing jacket is also guaranteed to sell, not just because the fabric has experienced a boom in popularity over the past few seasons that shows little sign of abating but, naturally, because this version does exactly what a suede jacket should do, delivering a slouchy kind of cool that, again, can go both ways.
When it’s truly bundling-up time, its funnel-neck shearling coat would be the ultimate way to spend winter. It’s the collection’s most expensive item, clocking in at £1,800, but it also has the kind of blanketing silhouette that’s not trend-led but timeless, something of a design signature at The White Company. (There’s also a hip-length version that’s £998.)
The best thing is that rather like how the retailer can take care of all your candle-related needs at Christmas, The White Company’s new womenswear collection, largely neutral so that everything can be paired with everything, is a kind of one-stop-shop if you’re looking to build a capsule. “I love how the whole collection works together - every piece can be styled in multiple ways, mixed and matched, elegant and quietly beautiful,” says McKain.
SHOP THE WHITE COMPANY'S NEW COLLECTION
This funnel-neck dress is elegance personified, especially if styled with one of the brand's shearling coats.
The White Company's cashmere is so good, so reliable that you'll almost be wishing for cardigan-weather.
Suede jackets have been trending for what feels like forever, but the retailer's batwing version will make you fall in love all over again.
This sheepskin coat is the definition of an investment purchase but one you're unlikely to regret when the results are this chic.
Funnel-neck jackets have been making the rounds this Autumn/Winter - and this version, with its effortless silhouette, is one of the frontrunners.
Treat yourself to a luxury cashmere loungewear set and you won't look back.
These oversized joggers are practically tailor-made for long-haul flights.
The White Company's puffer jacket, chic yet practical, is the best of both worlds.
Give your favourite white tee a break for a brushed cashmere version that will mean you can stave off long sleeves for a few more weeks.
I've personally felt this faux-fur jacket and it's dreamily soft.
Sandals might almost be in the rearview mirror until next summer but it's worth investing now in this pair.
