This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
Sarah Simonds, who seems to have boundless energy and positivity in spades, is the founder of Artichoke. She has – after the challenges of lockdown – recently moved to beautiful Georgian premises at 1 London Street in Swaffham, Norfolk. The wonderful midlife fashion that she stocks there is also available online, so happily none of us need miss out. The following article was written by Sarah about some of the new shirts she has in stock…
How much do you bet that, now Autumn is imminent, the rain will stop and it will be about 80 degrees in the shade? For years we have had Indian summers just as winter jumpers arrive in most high street shops which is why, at Artichoke. we always have a small transitional collection with items that you can wear as standalone pieces in late summer, that will work equally well as part of a layered look in the Autumn & Winter months to come.
We are also working hard at the moment to build a collection of different styles & shapes of shirts that are as individual as the women that wear them. We are known as the Jean Genies because we stock I think, nine styles of jean now & can find something in this mix to fit and flatter most women. We are working towards doing the same in our shirt collection, as we think that if you find a couple of shirts that fit you and you feel great in, in the same way as with the perfect pair of jeans, you won’t want to go off message – just have access to different prints each season.
As part of this campaign, we are this season introducing you to three different shirts, The Grace, The Oxford & The Tallulah.
The Grace
An oversized shirt is a perennial wardrobe staple. The Grace is a similar cut to our best selling Tessa Shirt with a split deep cuff that can be turned back.
It has a straight hem with a side split so can be worn tucked in or out, finishing at the top of the thigh. With a collar and button through placket, It has an inverted pleat at the back. Like The Tessa this shirt is the ultimate trans seasonal piece, it can be worn as a standalone in summer & layered under jumpers and jackets in the cooler seasons.
We have named this beautiful piece after Grace, co-founder of the award-winning online magazine you are reading now. It is available with a blue or a white background as you can see from the photos above.
£69
To obtain £5 off the Grace shirt, enter GRACE at the Artichoke checkout. Offer ends midnight 24 September
The Oxford
Despite it’s name The Oxford Shirt actually was first conceived in the fabric mills of Scotland in the nineteenth century where four fabrics were invented and named after British and American Ivy league universities. However The Cambridge, Yale and Harvard, it seems, did not have the same appeal and have got lost in the mists of time.
With its basket weave, the fabric has a recognisable marled look and the Oxford Shirt is valued as much by women today as it was by the polo players of the British Raj 150 years ago. It epitomises ‘The Preppy Look’ made famous by the iconic American brand Ralph Lauren.
It is an essential piece in every ‘classic’ woman’s wardrobe.
Available in various colourways. £59
The Tallulah
The Tallulah Shirt with its classic, semi tailored design epitomises the laidback elegance that we all aspire to. A great layering staple it will move through the seasons.
Available in four fabrics it is £65.
Everything that you see should be online but if there is something that your life is incomplete without & you can’t find it or indeed you would rather talk to a human being please give Sarah a call on 01760 724948. To browse the Artichoke website, click here.