5 timeless looks from the Mango selection

Over the past few years I’ve really struggled with dressing well. I think it all started around the time of the dreaded ‘C word’ (I won’t say it because we’re all tired of hearing it, but it was that period in 2020 and 2021 where we were all forced to stay at home are ). Since then, finding a style identity has felt less natural, especially when it comes to workwear. Now that most of us are in some sort of happy medium between office hours and working from home, our wardrobes need to become more fluid – we need a uniform that can easily transition from work to play, day to night. At Who What Wear UK we’ve always talked about the capsule wardrobe, but the concept now seems more relevant than ever.

One brand I turn to again and again for this specific thing is Mango. We all know it – I suspect we all love it – but have you noticed how strong the collections have been in recent years? For me, Mango achieves the perfect mix of trends and timelessness – two things that traditionally do not go together in fashion. Although the pieces themselves, whether tailoring, knitwear or denim, are what we call ‘forever’ staples, the cuts and color palettes always feel fresh and fashionable.

This month Mango launched The Selection, and it’s probably one of my favorite drops ever from the brand. It’s again a careful balance between newness and durability: it’s a collection of two- and three-piece suits, slip dresses, trench coats and matching separates that I know I can easily combine with other pieces in my wardrobe, but which are also clearly very feel bad. “now.” There are low-rise, tailored trousers and a skirt-suit that are undeniably influenced by the recent Y2K renaissance; as well as a range of grey, black and white workwear that references the viral TikTok aesthetic of the ‘office siren’, but somehow still feels elevated and durable.

This collection is a reminder of how to dress from Monday to Friday, with room for interpretation. For me, that means opting for casual tailoring with more relaxed pieces that I would wear on the weekend. For example, wide-leg trousers and a sporty bomber jacket are the epitome of ‘business casual’: I feel professional for meetings and can happily have a drink after work without feeling like I’m in my work uniform. Mango sent me the collection to try on and style, and I really put it to the test. This is literally all I wore from Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 (and beyond).

Style Notes: What better way to start the week than with a really good pair of jeans? Like many, denim is a staple for me, and I can’t imagine my wardrobe without it; it’s what I wear on my lower half 50% of the time. That’s why Monday’s look is built around these impeccable jeans. Turn-ups are a major denim trend right now, and these particular turn-ups are so large and so striking that they look very designer, almost avant-garde. I wanted to let them do the talking, so I styled them with a simple white cardigan under a button-down, and added gold jewelry and a trench coat, also from the collection. Simple? Yes. But also refined? Certainly. Besides, it’s Monday, so I’m allowed to be lazy.

Style Notes: If it’s not clear from these outfit photos, Tuesday is an office day for me. It’s the one day I can always get away with: back-to-back meetings and phone calls, with moments in between where I furiously send emails. On days like these I feel most comfortable making clothes. It feels smart, but if the cut is right, it also feels cool. My goal is always to look effortless. We’ve been wearing oversized suits for years, but fashion’s current throwback to the 1990s is encouraging us to embrace a slim fit or bootleg cut again, and I’m open to it. With these black two-piece pants, the slim fit legs and low waist of the pants feel smart, and because I love wearing black on black, I paired it with the matching blazer, leather ankle boots and this truly amazing black leather trench coat. This look feels super transitive; a scarf gets me through the cooler winter days, and if I swap the boots for a pair of slingbacks, I’m ready for spring.

Style Notes: As much as I believe in a capsule wardrobe, I’m also partial to a TikTok aesthetic or two, and the “office siren” has a stranglehold on me. Referring to villains in the workplace, such as Gisele Bündchen’s Serena The devil wears Prada and Mia in it Love actually, with a touch of Rachel Green when she worked at Bloomingdale’s Friends– it’s a sea of ​​gray tailoring, turtlenecks, kitten heels and ’00s glasses. This particular skirt suit resembles this viral movement, yet it’s still something I’ll wear long after TikTok has moved on. Perfect for the transition between seasons, it is ideal workwear from autumn through to high summer. The styling possibilities are endless: tights are the obvious choice, bare legs if you dare, or knee high socks if you want to feel a little preppier (Blair Waldorf, much?). Pair with silver and black to add to the nineties vibe, and don’t be surprised if people start calling you Ally McBeal.

Style Notes: I think this look is my favorite of them all. The wide leg pants are a no-brainer: soft and sleek, I like to pair them with a white cardigan to make it feel a bit androgynous. I could have gone for a blazer, but the oversized bomber silhouette and patches give it an 80s vibe, making it feel retro and fun. After work I’m having dinner with my best friend, which will no doubt be followed by drinks, and this outfit, paired with pointed mules with low heels and a small silver shoulder bag (I switched from a larger tote from earlier in the day) is the definition of day and evening clothing.

Style Notes: Fridays are always wonderful: a beauty breakfast in the morning, maybe lunch or a cup of coffee with a PR in the afternoon, but in between these appointments I often go to the office for phone calls or to prepare for any shoots we may have : week. It’s also a date night, if not with my husband, then with my friendship group. In light of all this running around, Friday needs comfortable shoes and a chic outfit. Quiet luxury may have been one of the biggest buzzwords of last year, but its ethos is something we’ve always stood behind at Who What Wear UK: quietly understated, elevated ensembles that come across as very ‘designer’. One of the easiest ways to do this is with neutral colors. Mango’s cream cotton maxi skirt I’m wearing here is gorgeous, and the elastic waistband is extremely comfortable too. Paired with a turtleneck and a black blazer (which I always tuck my hair into), along with gold jewelry and loafers, it’s just timeless sophistication. Try discussing that with me!

Discover the complete Selection capsule from Mango here.