'White Company'-esque style

[Polentacake]

Slightly weird, and this has mostly come from wistful ponderings of next season's shopping spree, but I've always had this sort of fantasy that one day I'll look like one of the women from the White Company catalogue. Never going to happen - I'm short and fairly curvy, although I've lost some weight recently and am a comfortable (if stocky) size 8-10.

I've recently had a clear out of most of my old clothes so come autumn/winter am allowing myself to buy a few new pieces, and am thinking about attempting a sort of chic monochrome look - black jeans (which stay black), nice knitwear, black chelsea boots - that sort of thing. However, it's unlikely that my budget will stretch to anything more than the White Company outlet, so where else should I be looking for a similar style? What would you even call that style?

Thanks in advance (mainly for not judging me for my unachievable expectations!).

Can think of similar but equally pricey. Hush, Mint velvet etc.

Alternatively keep an eye on Gap for natural fabrics in similar colours. Very partial to a linen knit myself but that's not very autumn/winter! (Do a search on "linen" in Gap, some of the men's stuff is also lovely.)

Have a look at Land's End for monochrome basics (which is what I would call it this style, no doubt someone more creative will be along in a minute.)

Thanks, wellhonestly. Gives me a good starting point (and a chance to browse the sales in case there are any good leftovers!).

I've got some Joules jeans which (fingers crossed) seem to be staying blacker than any other black jeans I've had in the last couple of years.

Black Chelsea boots seem to be around at all price points - you could probably even get a bargain if you buy them now.

Boots

Thanks Remus (might fight you for that title though). I'll have a look at Joules for jeans. Ideally looking for a high rise slim fit but probably more straight than skinny. Zara has done me well in the past but recently the black just runs out of their jeans and I haven't been impressed at all.

Will have a look in the sales for some Chelsea boots too, though good to have those in reserve - thanks!

How about jeans - top shop joni's (sorry don't know if they stay black as I've got grey ones), t shirts/tops - uniqlo, knitwear - John Lewis own brand (I wore their cashmere last winter), chelseas from somewhere high st (I coveted the ones that remus linked to last year, but didn't manage to buy them before they sold out... ).

Have you checked the White Company site? There are some very good discounts at the moment including Autumn/Winter clothes.

Thanks, housewife - I did buy a jumper but the other suitable things sadly aren't available in my size.

Sesame, will try JL and UniQlo for knitwear - thanks! (It was raining yesterday so somehow acceptable to think about winter but the sunshine today is making it tricky!). Will find some good quality basics too - I think that's what makes the look a bit more timeless and 'expensive'.

Sadly did not get on with Joni jeans at all - am somewhat large of thigh so looked a bit sausage-y and the colour drained after the first wash! Just put mine in the charity shop pile

Scandi chic?

I dye black jeans black again with Dylon machine wash once they start to fade. Excellent results, lasts for ever then. Dead easy to do.

Will order some Dylon then - thanks! Do you find it dyes everything else afterwards or are you good to go with whites in the next wash?

You need to rinse out the machine and wipe the seals, as per the instructions in the box.

Perfect - doesn't sound like too much hassle. Thanks, Bike.

I have some (past season sorry) M&s pale gray straight leg jeans which are pretty identical to the WC boyfriend jeans, I've also got some primarni darker grey jeans which are straight legged and fairly wc
Also try uniqlo for tops (esp for sale)

Also eBay WC stuff (try on bits in stores to get an idea of your size) and the end of the actual sales can be good.

Have a look at Naked Cashmere on Instagram. Not cheap but much cheaper than White Company.

Very good for sweaters and dresses.

Managed to score a bunch of WC winter items today in the sale (tried a different shop) and am going to check out all the places you've mentioned. Thanks all!