5 minute read

In this week’s instalment of our Celebrating Midlife Style series, 47-year-old Karen Jackson, a part-time lecturer in entrepreneurship at UCD and founder of online cashmere brand WearWith, reveals how, where and why she shops.

Describe your style in three words

Simple, sustainable, refined.

Do you have a signature piece?

Tough one! But a navy cashmere sweater – it goes with everything, it always looks classic, and it’s a year-round capsule wardrobe staple – and cream trousers. I own eight pairs! Casual, dressy, silk, flared, skinny, cigarette, cords (x2) and leather.

How has ageing influenced your style?

Now I dress for myself after many years of following trends and wearing clothes that didn’t suit me. I think I have found what makes me happy. When I started my business a couple of years ago, I realised that the older we get the more sure we are of what colours and styles suit us. Older women make quicker, more confident decisions. I like that!

Has fashion become more or less important to you as you've aged?

Less, so much less. It’s much more important to find what suits you and stick with it, embellish with accessories and add in the odd piece you can’t resist even though it might be a bit out of character; we need to be a little bit mad sometimes and be inspired by fashion.

Which brands do you shop most often?

Obviously my own, WearWith cashmere. I like Frame jeans, Joseph for separates, Cos T-shirts, Anne Fontaine white shirts (a splurge) and Jil Sander for trousers and skirts. I buy a lot on Vestiaire.

The Christie white shirt by Ann Fontaine, €263

What changes have you made in recent years to be a more conscious consumer?

I buy a lot less and always consider how it will fit in with what I already have in my wardrobe, and how it will work day to day. A top must go with jeans, skirts, trousers, and then with trainers, heels, boots. Versatility is essential in everything I buy. I also pay attention to the care instructions – if an item is dry-clean only or likely to need a wash after each wear, it doesn’t make financial or environmental sense.

Have you ever fallen out of love with fashion?

I fall out of love with fashion every day when I read about how certain (massive) fast-fashion companies are churning out designer knock offs made by people in unsafe, underpaid environments with non recyclable materials, which will eventually be discarded onto the ever-growing pile of fast fashion discards. It makes me wish fashion didn’t exist and that people had nothing to follow but their own style and taste, rather than what is being produced and marketed to them.

Did it take you a long time to discover your 'style personality' or have you always had a strong sense of this?

When I was a teenager, I used my pocket money each month to buy Vogue. I thought I could wear “fashion” and look like the supermodels. It took a lot of mistakes before I realised I’m 5’ 3” and have a pink/grey Irish skin tone. I probably was a bit wilder when I was younger, and when I started college I relished not having a uniform and used to wear quite unusual clothes for a student – 70s shirts with massive collars, suits (I still love tailoring) and very chunky knits. I loved John Rocha and later Peter O’Brien for A-Wear – I miss him! My style personality now is rather boring in comparison and sometimes I ask myself “What would my 20-year-old self have done?”, and I buy the odd mad, inspired piece – gold jeans, big huge flowing maxi skirts or giant collars, which I still love.

Classic separates are the anchor of Karen’s wardrobe

How do you use clothes to influence your mood?

My mood influences my clothes, never the other way around. It will always determine what I wear. I think having a wardrobe of well considered clothes and colours, which compliment my shape and size, always makes me feel that little bit more confident.

Do you have a style icon?

I have always obsessed over Audrey Hepburn’s simple, classic style – in her films and in real life. I love her simple colour palette and wardrobe of timeless classics. Amy Smilovic’s style tips on TikTok and Instagram are brilliant. Caroline Herrera is inspiring for her everyday elegance, Princess Caroline of Monaco for designer perfection and Caroline de Maigret for casual chic.

Karen recommends following Amy Slimovic on Instagram for great style tips

Does your profession/job affect your fashion choices?

Yes, because I sell my own capsule cashmere collection. I wear it every day so I need to make sure that it always looks good, and that I vary how I wear it – with jeans, skirts, over dresses etc. The brand is all about versatility.

Do you think traditional 'fashion rules' have merit or are they an out-of-date construct?

I think it’s an oxymoron. Fashion shouldn’t have rules. Style has guidelines – your shape and colouring will often determine what suits you – but fashion is about self expression and offers inspiration, but never rules.

Which item of clothing or accessory that you own always makes you smile?

A Joseph cashmere boatneck jumper my Dad bought for me in 1999. Sadly, he is no longer around, but the jumper is and not only do I love its timeless, classic style, I love the memories it evokes too. My Granny’s fur coat also makes me smile. She got it when my Dad was born and I love that she wore it on “good” occasions. I noticed recently that she wore it to myself and my brother’s communions in May many years ago! It made her feel special.

Is there one item of clothing or an accessory that you'd desperately like to own (money no object)?

Not sure I could ever justify it, but a Hermès Kelly bag. It’s the most elegant thing I can think of.

Is there any particular look that you would never wear yourself but love on other women?

Tie-dye – shoot me if you ever see me wearing it. I think it takes an attitude to look good in tie-dye (at any age), a freedom of expression, a carelessness, and an aloofness that I don’t have.

What do you love most about your own style?

That there is always room for improvement. I believe nothing is ever finished or perfect. We should strive to grow and improve in everything we do, and our style is no exception. We need to keep an open mind, and I love that my own style has evolved even in the past two years, and I’m not finished yet! You never know, maybe you’ll see my in tie-dye one day!