The Style With Purpose Collection | John Lewis & Partners

CLOTHESTHATGIVE BACK

CLOTHES THATGIVE BACK

Alison Taylor,-Fashion Editor

Practical as well as stylish, useful and beautiful – introducing Style With Purpose, our capsule collection raising money for Refuge, the national domestic abuse charity

OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS, there has definitely been a mood-shift when it comes to fashion. As a new season dawns, it seems relevant to ask, what does fashion mean now? Which is where the thinking behind our Style With Purpose capsule collection began.

Curated by editor and author Erica Davies, 15% of every item sold will be donated to Refuge to support the record rise in demand for its services this year.

‘It’s about making yourself feel good while helping others who need it,’ says Erica. ‘What we really wanted to achieve was this feeling of community, this sense of giving back.’

The sense of mindfulness and focusing on what’s important is reflected in the edit. ‘The collection definitely came from a place of: what will be useful to people for a long time?’ says Erica. ‘What pieces will they be reaching for time and time again? What will work with existing pieces? You might just want to buy one item that will refresh your autumn wardrobe, or it might spark some ideas from things you already own.’

The key themes, very much informed by our reality of the past six months, are cosy, comfortable and casual: ‘They’re those items that you get a lot of wear out of, but still get a lot of pleasure from.’ Think textures, creative layering, practical yet stylish overcoats and a dash of leopard print, which, let’s face it, never goes amiss. And who better to model the collection than real women. Mothers, daughters, students, business owners and creatives – those who want their clothes to be stylish, but also need them to work as hard as they do. Erica talks us through the looks below.

If you would like to see Erica introduce the collection in person and offer her advice on putting together a capsule wardrobe, you can attend our virtual event on 17 September. Tickets cost £5 each and all proceeds will be donated to Refuge.

Student, Ramla wears an AND/OR denim dress. ‘This is a really easy denim dress, layered over a pussy-bow jumper – it gives you more options for wearing one piece.’

Ramla wears AND/OR denim dress. “This is a really easy denim dress, layered over a pussy-bow jumper - it gives you more options for wearing one piece.”

‘This look that Naomi – who runs a dance school – is wearing is about elevated classic pieces. I love that the Mother of Pearl shirt is a longer length than the batwing jumper layered over the top. And a navy pea coat never goes out of style.’

“This look that Naomi is wearing is about elevated classic pieces. I love that the Mother of Pearl shirt is a longer length than the batwing jumper layered over the top. And a navy pea coat never goes out of style.”

‘This wisteria printed dress by Modern Rarity looks amazing on Asa, an actor and researcher. The shape is oversized but it’s one of those dresses you feel instantly comfortable in. It’s versatile so you can wear it with flats or heels.’

“This Wisteria printed dress by Modern Rarity looks amazing on Asa. The shape is oversized but it’s one those dresses you feel instantly comfortable in. It’s versatile so you can wear it with flats or heels.”

‘Book translator Mandy, pictured here with her daughter Flossie, a student, is wearing a Kin dress that is a comfy update on a tracksuit, which we’ve been used to of late. You can layer it over leggings or jeans and it’s just a very easy, flattering dress for a lot of different shapes.’

“Mandy, pictured here with her daughter Flossy, is wearing a Kin dress that is comfy, yes, but an update on a tracksuit, which we’ve been used to of late. You can layer it over leggings or jeans and it’s just a very easy, flattering dress for a lot of different shapes.”

‘I love the sea foam colours together with the silky neutral skirt in this look. It’s a bit of a Carrie Bradshaw moment – dressed up, but still very relaxed.’

“I love the seafoam colours together with the silky neutral skirt in this look, worn by Asa. It’s a bit of a Carrie Bradshaw moment - dressed up but still very relaxed.”

‘Dancer, India demonstrates beautifully how great lockdown trackpants and hoodies look when stepping out into the world. It’s about feeling comfortable and happy.’

“India demonstrating beautifully how great lockdown trackpants and hoodies look when stepping out into the world. It’s about feeling comfortable and happy.”

‘Bring on the cosy. This rainbow-striped cardigan by Hush feels very joyful and is one you’ll reach for time and time again.’

“Bring on the cosy. This rainbow-striped cardigan by Toast feels very joyful and is one you’ll reach for time and time again.”

‘Layering can really create elevated looks. Filmmaker, Anne (right) looks fantastic in this Somerset by Alice Temperley leopard-print midi dress, which is great on its own but you can also wear it with a polo neck or a really cool leather jacket, like this one from All Saints. The striped knit jumper, which complements the leopard colours, really finishes the look.’

“Layering can really create elevated looks. Anne looks fantastic in this Somerset by Temperley leopard print midi dress, which is great on its own but you can also wear it with a polo neck or a really cool leather jacket, like this one from All Saints. The striped knit jumper, which complements the leopard colours, really finishes the look”.

‘A trench coat is forever stylish and so versatile, as demonstrated here by Anne’s daughter, Lola, a sales director. It is one piece you will be reaching for year after year.’