"For me, clothes need to work in real life" - Helen Skelton's summer edit for JD Williams is about flattering, comfy and easy to style pieces
Timeless and contemporary, this is fashion that fits modern life
Helen Skelton has teamed up with JD Williams to support the brand in championing better fashion for midlife women. The 42-year-old recently joined Gok Wan for an evening of fun, food and fashion chat, where the presenter took part in a panel discussion about why finding great clothing in midlife comes with a range of new challenges, and how the size-inclusive retailer is meeting those needs.
"For me, clothes need to work in real life," Helen explained, "they need to feel good the moment you put them on. As women, we’re balancing so much, so having pieces that are comfortable, flattering and easy to wear really matters. If something doesn’t feel right, you just won’t reach for it.”
Having spoken to 2000 women, JD Williams is in the business of feel-good fashion, asking midlife women about how they feel about their bodies, their style, what's changed and what they need. Helen's 12-piece edit is a contemporary range that taps into the spring/summer fashion trends for 2026, whilst subtly giving women the support, cuts and silhouettes that fit and flatter, without compromise. We've rounded up the best bits below.
Polka dots are one of summer's biggest print trends, and this beautiful swishy number was worn by Helen at an evening event with the brand recently. Ideal for any summer occasion, from what to wear to a wedding, Wimbledon, or even a smart dinner date or day at the office, you'll get so much wear out of this pretty swishy design.
It's the clever cutting that we love the most about JD Williams, and this waistcoat and wide-leg trouser set is built to fit and flatter. The nipped-in waist, plus a peplum that will skim middles, the gold buttons add glam detail so you can dress this design up with ease. The wide-leg, cropped hem helps to lengthen legs, balance your shape and create curves.
Jorts and short-sleeve knits are a great summer combo. The sporty, stripey design delivers a Missoni feel, while the long-line jean shorts tap into the denim trends for 2026.
This border print dress is calling out for a suitcase, a great holiday outfit idea, this can be worn for a day of site seeing, before heading out for an alfresco dinner. Spending summer in the city, just add a denim jacket.
When it comes to white jeans outfits, Helen Skelton's wide-leg, cropped pair is a great silhouette to add to your style arsenal this summer. Ideal for showing off summer sandals.
A cute co-ord with the look of a dress, this maxi skirt and peplum top can be worn together, or mixed and matched with other items in your wardrobe.
Crochet is quite the summer staple and this sweet knit, in pastel yellow and white will have endless uses in your warm weather wardrobe. Slip on over a swimsuit, wear with jeans or over dresses.
Sunshine yellows have overtaken buttery hues this season, and this Broderie Anglaise dress is the ultimate execution of the fashion colour trend of 2026. The gentle butterfly sleeve adds a drop of upper arm coverage, too.
Helen Skelton collaborates with JD Williams on a 12 piece summer edit
The collection is a reflection of Helen's feminine but eclectic style and covers everything you'll need for a comfortable, modern and fashion-forward summer. Joyful in colour, the bursts of trending sunshine yellow and soft pink give a nod to this season's must-have hues, while gingham prints, contemporary denim cuts, crochet knits, as well as sundresses, mean that whether you're at home or abroad this season, Helen Skelton's JD Williams edit has something worthy of your summer capsule wardrobe.
Talking about her collection, Helen explains: "I was drawn to stylish summer pieces that feel practical and comfortable but still joyful - great denim, easy layering, and colour that lifts your wardrobe. It’s about clothes that work with your body, not against it. So many women feel invisible in fashion, and that shouldn’t be the case. That is why I’ve loved working with JD Williams as they empower women to embrace their life to the fullest".
It's the little details that matter here, the added elastication at the waist, or across the back to provide comfort and a better fit, the pockets, the curve-loving cuts and the decent amount of sleeve coverage on offer. JD Williams is ensuring that midlife fashion is a celebration of hitting that milestone, rather than retreating and how to look the most stylish whilst doing so, and who better to represent that than the very stylish Helen Skelton.
