I'm a fashion expert. Here are the seven anti-ageing outfits every woman over 50 needs this summer

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  • READ MORE: Inside John Lewis’ summer style war: As middle-class stalwart launches new collection, AMY KESTER reveals how it stacks up against its rivals 

Albaray loves pockets. Pockets in skirts. Pockets in trousers. Pockets in everything. Praise be.

Don’t know them yet? Allow me to introduce you to the brand that’s surging through the high street leaving savvy midlife shoppers swooning in their wake. Along with pockets, you can expect well-cut sleeves, forgiving waistlines, elasticated bits – with on-trend designs that offer just the right amount of glamour to make a statement, day or night. That’s what happens when you put grown-up women in charge of your wardrobe.

Indeed, the triumvirate behind Albaray are uniquely qualified to dress us. With previous stints at some of the UK’s favourite shops, from Harvey Nichols to Marks & Spencer, it was at Warehouse that Paula Stewart, Kirstie Di Stazio and Karen Peacock first worked together. When Warehouse went into administration a month into lockdown in 2020, they decided to create something new together and over kitchen tables and socially distanced glasses of wine, Albaray was born. 

‘We talked about who we wanted to reach, and we were thinking about a modern woman,’ says Peacock. ‘Someone who wanted good quality clothes at good value. Well made, all the go-to pieces in a wardrobe. ‘

So what do those clothes look like? Coordinated, for one thing. Buy any two or three pieces from this brand, and you’ll have the beginnings of a hard-working capsule wardrobe, easy to mix and match, and versatile enough for most occasions. Matching sets that look great together, such as a blue waistcoat, £69, and wide-legged trousers, £89, can also be switched around to work with other pieces, like denim or a vest or a classic, crisp white tee, £29.

Blue Double Pleat Trouser  £89

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Blue Tailored Waistcoat  £69

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These are easy and up-to-the minute pieces – barrel-leg jeans, £89, to sit beneath the perfect soft suede jacket, £350; animal-print culottes, £79, with a pressed, voluminous denim tee, £65; floaty, tiered dresses for £130, or a demure dusty pink strappy number for £89; and swirly, spacious skirts in suede, £320, or flowy eco viscose, £89.

 In a mix of neutrals and hotly trending colours such as vanilla yellow, they’re timeless too. Whatever your body type, there is probably something here to flatter you – and that is not by chance. ‘Not everybody is the perfect size, 8, 10, 12, 14, but people are in between,’ says Peacock. 

 

Relaxed Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans  £89

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Suede Jacket  £350

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animal-print culottes  £79

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Ecru Denim T-Shirt  £65

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‘So I always think when designing, first of all, give ease –nobody wants to feel constricted in clothes. It’s a challenge in design to make it look good as well, so we have shirring in the backs of dresses, or we just ease off the fit and then put in a little tie belt, and then whoever wears it can then just fit it perfectly to their waist.’

Though their online ‘community’ of customers is hugely important to them, Albaray has opened two high-street stores too, in Bath and Chichester, and here they can develop an especially close relationship with new fans.

‘It’s wonderful to talk to them face-to-face in your own environment,’ says Di Stazio. ‘To see your customers trying things on and being able to step out and give direct feedback has been fantastic.’

Of course, it’s not always positive – but they welcome constructive feedback, she says. ‘It means you can do something with it. We take that very seriously.’

That feedback has also helped guide the direction of the Albaray collections, from the very first 80-piece collection in 2021.

Linen Blend Cut Out Back Strappy Dress  £89

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Suede Skirt                                                     £320

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Take the leopard-print dress in this shoot. At £110, It’s one of the most popular pieces in the collection – and has just been brought back for the fourth time.

Animal V Neck Cotton Midi Dress 

‘Through social media, we had feedback that if customers were full-busted, the seam was cutting them across the bust. I redesigned it and I dropped the seam, allowed for a little bit more flexibility and fit and put a bit of elastic in the back. That dress has been a sellout since the first season we launched.’

There’s a lot that bigger high-street brands can learn about listening from these three determined women.

Which brings us back to pockets – and finally an insider explanation for why they are such a rare commodity.

Soft Yellow Tailored Waistcoat  £75

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Full Maxi Skirt  £89

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‘In previous roles as a designer, I always wanted to put pockets in and they always got taken out because they cost more,’ admits Peacock. ‘But we said, ‘We’re having pockets!’ And we had such an amazing response from customers. They could tell this is a brand designed by women.’

Not every piece can have them (‘if it’s cut too close to the body, or the fabric’s too fine’), but says Peacock, ‘if we can, we will’.

Now that is an excellent motto for any woman to live and dress by.




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