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When this black and white checked co-ord launched at Marks and Spencer last summer, it was an immediate sell-out. The viral £39.50 skirt and coordinating cropped vest quickly became an influencer favourite, and was like gold-dust to get your hands on.
I wasn’t speedy enough to snap it up in time before it sold out, and no amount of refreshing the page would see my size 10 coming back into stock. I watched as fashion fans flounced around in the set on social media all summer, styling the top with jeans, the skirt with sandals and vest tops.
I almost decided I didn’t really need it in my wardrobe, despite a saved search for it on my Vinted account. One chilly October evening, I was scrolling through the preloved app and there it was – size 10, black and white gingham M&S skirt, listed for £10. The seller accepted my offer of £8.
It arrived a week or so later, but with the long summer days now behind us, I was really struggling to come up with a way to style it that felt cool and interesting. Fast forward seven months, it’s May, the sun is shining, and I’ve finally worn it out for the first time.
The skirt, which I snagged for less than a quarter of its original price, is designed in a maxi length with a flattering a-line shape which elongates the legs and flows beautifully when walking. The pattern is very ‘Ganni-esque’, so I needed an equally on-trend outfit to match the aesthetic.
I’d initially worn the skirt with just a plain black waistcoat from River Island, but it felt a little too dressy for the occasion, so I put on this £12 Stradivarius t-shirt, as seen in my previous post, underneath for a more laid back feel. Made from 100 per cent cotton, it’s super soft but also fits really lovely. Boasting a cherry motif tied with a bow, it feels like it’s really nailing the current social media trends, too. I then added the tailored waistcoat on back over the top, only fastening the top three buttons, leaning into a more casual vibe. The £38 waistcoat comes in 10 colours, and is perfect for pairing with skirts, smart trousers or jeans, wearing alone, or thrown over t-shirts, making it a really versatile wardrobe staple.
As for the shoes, I’m currently obsessed with a chunky loafer styled with a sock – these particular ones are just a men’s grey Sainsbury’s sock paired with my Kurt Geiger loafers. The gold hardware on the shoes is subtle, but ties in my M&S faux leather crossbody really nicely. The £35 accessory is a deadringer for a popular style by Celine, and is a fantastic everyday style.
Also bringing a little touch of gold to the fit was my gold bow earrings, from ASOS, which are also on theme with the tee, as well as my Lily Charmed cowboy charm necklace, and this Sekonda watch I picked up for less than £25 on Amazon. Finishing off the overall look was a slicked back bun and an oversized scrunchie from Oeuvre, an independent business making dreamy frilly numbers. I love how this particular style features a similar gingham to the skirt, with the pink ruffles matching the pink in the top, too.
Now that I’ve finally worn the skirt out (promptly spilling pepperoni pizza down it in the process), I can’t wait to find new ways to style it for the summer months – though I am now quite tempted by the blue version released for 2024.
