I Just Styled 4 Spring Looks From Mango

Welcome to The Great Try-On. With spring well and truly in the air, we seized the opportunity to try on the best new-in pieces from some of our favourite brands, documenting the process along the way. We believe that the best way to shop online is to see an item IRL first and read candid reviews about fit, style and quality, so we hope our try-ons will lead you to your most successful purchases of the year.

It feels cliché to say it, but the beginning of a season is always such an exciting time, and perhaps none are as exciting to welcome as spring. Even those who truly love winter will surely agree that the feeling of bidding adieu to short, grey days and countless layers to say hello to blue skies and bare legs is the best. Naturally, working as a fashion editor, there’s also a sense of anticipation of a new wardrobe—not necessarily buying brand new pieces, but adding a few fresh additions and even re-wearing old favourites that haven’t seen the light of day for six months.

I’ve been perfecting my personal style and capsule wardrobe for over a decade, and I think I’ve got to a point where I really know who I am, fashion-wise. I’m a person, who relies on staples but also invests in more statement pieces. I can never keep a white T-shirt white, so why spend a lot on it? But a leather jacket I can keep forever that will stand the test of time? I’m sold. I’m also, admittedly, quite partial to trends, so whilst many of my Who What Wear UK colleagues really do stick to their capsule collections of timeless hero pieces, I’m perhaps a little more tempted by something with a directional cut or a hyped accessory.

That being said, as much as I love luxury labels and cult designers, I’m sadly not made of money. So, there are a few high-street brands I rely on for fashion-forward ensembles, statement shoes and elevated staples. Mango is one of them. If you’ve been a Who What Wear UK reader for longer than the time it’s taken you to read this intro paragraph, you’ll know how much I stan Mango. Between its collaborations (which include Siedrés, SIMONMILLER and Victoria Beckham, FYI), premium range The Selection and balance of classic and cool designs that really can look so much more expensive than they are, I’ve been a loyal ambassador of the brand for several years.

So, for this season’s The Great Try-On, there was no question of which brand I’d be taking. I did a big order of pieces that will see me through this transitional period into summer: think light knits, linen and leather, as well as some versatile tailoring. Scroll on to see what I loved from my haul and the looks I created with them.

1. Linen Trousers + Leather Jacket + Statement Accessories

My Review: Full disclosure: I’m automatically biased when it comes to Mango jackets—I have quite a few in my roster now. Every time I wear one of them, I’m complimented, and who doesn’t love that? So, the pièce de résistance here is definitely this leather jacket. I love the patchwork effect, funnel neck and double zip. Funnel necks are going to be huge this season—just know you heard it here first! As we tend to opt for lighter tones in spring, I’ve paired it with cream linen cargo pants (a cooler take on traditional linen trousers) and a cream short-sleeved crochet knit. I think the accessories are what make this look though, particularly the zebra-print bag (didn’t you hear? Zebra is the new leopard). I finished it off with gold jewellery and mint-green sandals.

2. MIDI SKIRT + BARN JACKET + BALLET FLATS

My Review: ICYMI, barn jackets are huge right now. I, for one, am very happy that practical outerwear is having a moment, because I’m a person who doesn’t often change between activities—you’re likely to see me in the same outfit I wear to walk my dog as you are on my next zoom call. This means my casual and professional wardrobes intertwine quite heavily.