We put Holly Willoughby’s glam M&S denim range to the test for Spring
Mum Carole Royd, 59, and her daughter Tamsin Royd, 25, try out Holly’s picks and rate each out of ten
COULD this boiler suit unite wardrobes across the UK? M&S certainly hopes so.
The garment is one of the items picked by TV presenter Holly Willoughby for her fourth Marks and Spencer collection.
Her 15-strong selection, out today, focuses on denim, with a variety of styles and hemlines to suit all ages.
It ranges from a midi dress to a miniskirt that looks like something Holly, 38, might have worn co-presenting I’m A Celebrity.
M&S has the UK’s number one market share in denim, with five million pairs of jeans sold last year — and store bosses hope Holly’s back-to-basics picks will end the store’s fashion downturn.
By selling trendy clothes to attract younger customers, the High Street giant has scared away loyal older consumers — leading to sales dropping 2.2 per cent in the 13 weeks to the end of December.
M&S’s women and kidswear director Jill Stanton, who took over in 2018, says: “Holly is a great ambassador showcasing one of our great departments.”
So could this finally be the winning formula that appeals to women of all ages? We asked mum Carole Royd, 59, and her daughter Tamsin Royd, 25, who live in West London to try out Holly’s picks and rate each out of ten.
Look 1
Carole wears:
- Denim shirt, £32.50 from
- T-shirt, £12.50 from
- Skinny jeans, £19.50 from
- Bag, £29.50 from
- Heels, £80 from
- Earrings, £8.50 from Next —
CAROLE SAYS: “The jeans fit well due to the high waist.
“Good value at under £20 – cheaper than Zara and Topshop.
“Nice faded design. Some might be put off by the skinny fit but it felt comfortable wearing them.
“The shirt isn’t something I’d choose — the tailored cut is good but I’m not keen on the puffy shoulders ”
Rating: 7/10
Tamsin wears:
- Light-blue denim shirt, £32.50 from
- Skirt, £25 from
- Ankle boots, £55 from
TAMSIN SAYS: “I would not really expect a skirt this short from M&S.
“Mum’s got good legs so she could easily wear it, too.
“I like the soft fabric of the shirt but the frills are too girly for me. It’s a very ‘Holly’ outfit.
“Mum and I share clothes already – I borrow a lot of her staples. I could see us sharing some of these denim pieces.”
Rating: 8/10
Look 2
Carole wears:
- Denim midi dress, £49.50 from
- Faux leather hip belt, £12.50 from Holly’s must-haves at M&S —
- Animal print heels, £45 from
CAROLE SAYS: “Holly is gorgeous and approachable, and her look is more attainable than other celebs.
“This dress is very comfortable. I could wear it with Converse, and it has pockets – a big plus.
“There’s a good mix of lengths in this collection – I’d wear the miniskirt with a pair of flat sandals, as it’s not too short.”
Rating: 9/10
Tamsin wears:
- Mini dress, £49.50 from
- Bag, £19.99 from
- Snake print boots, £75 from Topshop —
- Earrings, £1.50 from
TAMSIN SAYS: “I do not really chose to wear dresses very much, although it’s good that Holly has included a longer style for the more mature shopper.
“But I would actually raid my mother’s wardrobe and nick hers instead of this short one.”
Rating: 7/10
Look 3
Carole wears:
- Boiler suit, £55 from
- Top, £8.50 from
- Necklace, £9.99 from New Look —
- Slingback heels, £72 from Office —
CAROLE SAYS: “All-in-ones are not my style so I wouldn’t wear this.
“It’s a safe design— easy for M&S shoppers to buy on trend. Women my age should not be intimidated by it, and you can dress it up or down.
“The gathered waist is flattering. I don’t think I’d wear it fully zipped – I’d look like a car mechanic.” Rating: 6/10
Tamsin wears:
- Boiler suit, £55 from
- Star logo trainers, £45 from
- T-shirt, £15 from
- Belt, £6 from
TAMSIN SAYS: “I like this look, but I would choose the boiler suit much bigger, so that the fit is oversized.
“Mum looks good in it and I reckon she could rock it teamed with a pair of trainers, too.
“Mature women could easily wear this style so I don’t see why a 60-year-old wouldn’t want to – I reckon I will when I’m that age.”
Rating: 7/10
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