Style Spotlight

Style Spotlight: Fearne Cotton

We have a longstanding love affair with British trendsetters, having catalogued the wardrobes of ladies like Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe, and the Sisters Geldof for ages. And while we truly adore all of our UK-based style mavens, today we need to pay homage to the newest member of that club: Fearne Cotton. We clearly swoon for her personal style—it seems like she's in all of our stories as of late—because she consistently gets it right with her thoughtfully mixed, on-trend looks. It's also worth noting that the number of darling outfits Cotton creates is staggeringly high; she is snapped on her way to work at BBC Radio 1 (where she's a DJ, one of her many jobs) almost daily, yet never fails to impress. Due to all of these reasons, we figured it was high time to celebrate her sartorial efforts, which is why we're shining the Style Spotlight on Cotton today!



There is much to appreciate about Cotton's personal style, but let's start with one of her most noteworthy strengths—her ability to create effortlessly layered looks. She often turns to a combination of of-the-moment outerwear, lace-up boots, and slouchy trousers, like the on-point outfit she put together late last year for a day at work (bottom row, middle). The newly blonde DJ/TV presenter/designer kept cozy via a shearling jacket by Aldo, which she layered over a vintage top and gray ASOS trousers. Additionally, we appreciate Cotton's decision to punctuate her neutral picks with a bronze Kate Spade bag—a nod to her predilection for intriguing carriers. But that's not the only stellar display of layers we've seen from Cotton. Just last month, we spotted her leaving work in a sheer red American Apparel blouse under a cropped button-up jacket—a cherished item that was her mom's in the '70s—and a black coat from her collection for the online store Very (top row, middle). The chic layers on top elevate her more casual J Brand 910 Low-Rise Skinny Jeans ($158) in Dark Vintage and lace-up Office boots, while her amazing patent leather Vivienne Westwood bag adds an additional element of visual intrigue.

Of course, impressive winter wear isn't the only sartorial trick up Cotton's sleeve. Her daily rotation is filled with tons of interesting pieces that are anything but drab, like her collection of print mini dresses that she styles in a myriad of ways. For example, late last year Cotton selected a bold base—specifically an Olivia Rubin Belle Tunic ($139)—then tempered its wild print with an understated leather jacket by Mulberry. The jacket not only diffuses the patterned tunic, it also gives the outfit a touch of edge. The next day, Cotton was snapped outside ITV Studios in London in a sweeter, more feminine combo comprised of an airy, plum-colored vintage dress and pink Beau Coops ankle boots (bottom row, far right). Cotton also has a fondness for mixing prints, as demonstrated by the way she combined a polka-dot dress from her collection with Very and a vintage leopard print hat (top row, far right). The outfit is quirky-cool, yet stylish—very Cotton indeed!

Aside from print dresses, Cotton also knows how to work a velvet frock, typically in romantic jewel tones. Whether it's for a daytime errand run or an evening fete, Cotton has repeatedly shown us how to wear this key fabric with perfect restraint, starting with the TBA Lattice Collar Velvet Dress ($269) she wore back in November (bottom row, far left). By incorporating a few sophisticated black accents into the look—like her French Connection coat and Mulberry ankle boots—Cotton played down the youthfulness of the frock's baby-doll silhouette and vibrant burnt orange color. A few months later, Cotton was snapped again in a gorgeous velvet frock, this time at the National Television Awards in London (far right). For the red carpet event she kept her simple, selecting a Hannah Marshall blue turtleneck dress and short-sleeve jacket, and accessorizing with a vintage blue snakeskin clutch and Costume National pumps for a stunning look.

Enjoy Cotton's style as much as we do? Then you'll definitely want to check out the slew of items we've rounded up, as they will help you execute similarly stylish outfits. If you're fond of our Style Spotlight star's effortless cold-weather ensembles, then we suggest picking up some key outwear pieces. Nasty Gal's Shearling Zip Jacket ($58) is a spot-on pick for winter, but if that style isn't for you, try Urban Renewal's Vintage Faux Fur Coat ($88) instead. Just be sure to layer your outerwear over Equipment's Hard Feelings Blouse ($175) and Tory Burch's Abigail Jacket ($328), and then finish with Aldo's Lash Boots ($80) for a likeminded look.

If you prefer Cotton's intriguing dress options, we've got you covered there too. You can always start by picking up Forever 21's Tribal Ikat Dress ($14)—the playful print is very much in keeping with Cotton's daytime picks—and styling it with Madewell's Quilted Biker Jacket ($495) to recreate one of her edgier ensembles. Want to emulate Cotton's bold mixed-print outfit too? We believe Aryn K's Polka Dot Dress ($109) would look excellent worn with Free People's Bleached Floppy Hat ($138) in Leopard. Finally, you'll want to grab a few velvet frocks. While we adore Cotton's exact picks, we found a few colorful options for you to try, like Fran & Jane's Velvet Strapless Dress ($93), which comes in a refreshing limeade color, or the royal blue Forever 21's Crush Velvet Scoop Neck Dress ($18). With these pieces on hand, you'll be well on your way to mastering Cotton's incredible sense of style.—