Cat Deeley shows just how elevated denim shirts can be - her autumnal leather skirt is the perfect accompaniment
We’re copying her timeless look
Once again, Cat Deeley is setting the standard for chic autumn dressing. The presenter appeared on Thursday's This Morning in a true-to-form smart-casual look that we’re scrambling to copy - mainly because she made the humble denim shirt look impossibly elevated for the season.
Leather textures work brilliantly as a basis for your autumn outfit ideas, whether dressed up with heeled boots or down with flats. Cat’s ensemble goes to show that they can make even typically casual tops feel intentional and add some shape to otherwise baggy items.
Unsurprisingly, her exact orange leather skirt from British clothing brand Reiss is totally out of stock everywhere. However, we’ve found some similar alternatives to complete your look. Although the exact terracotta shade is hard to come by, it can easily be subbed out for a warm brown or camel shade that offers endless styling opportunities within your autumn capsule wardrobe.
Shop the look
Cat’s exact River Island shirt is actually a bodysuit, meaning it will stay tucked in all day - even better than a regular shirt! But there are plenty of similar traditional shirt options on the high street if you'd prefer.
In a similar hue to Cat’s skirt, this burnt orange faux suede design will add some texture and colour to your wardrobe. Pair it with one of the best DeMellier bags for a polished finish.
M&S does affordable basics so well, and this shirt is no exception. It’s lightweight and long enough to tuck in.
Offering a similar panelled design to Cat’s skirt, this Mint Velvet option comes in a versatile caramel brown that is easy to style.
Levi’s knows how to make good denim, so this shirt gets our vote. The dark wash denim feels effortlessly cool for autumn.
If you’re after a reddish brown, this Sezane skirt fits the bill. It’s slightly longer for extra coverage in the winter months.
Mixing high-low items in your capsule wardrobe is one of the simplest ways to make your regular outfit formulas feel refreshed and current. A denim shirt is one piece that most of us might only associate with casual dressing due to the boxier shape, rather than something you could wear to the office or for an evening out. But the pairing with a polished leather skirt makes the dark blue feel much more versatile, as well as adding shape around the waist to complement your frame.
It can also be paired with tailoring - layered with a blazer or pinstripe trousers - on colder days to increase its versatility in your wardrobe. If you have a pair of jeans in the same hue, a double denim look with some wedges or kitten heel boots also ticks the smart-casual box with a fashion-forward feel.
Likewise, any good leather skirt provides endless styling opportunities. Pair yours with a cashmere jumper, plain white tee, or even a mock neck knit during winter. Again, it offers enough structure to tuck a baggy top into the waistband. We’re investing in these wardrobe staples and taking notes from Cat’s colour palette.
