The Weekend Read✨Texture: The Secret Style Ingredient You’re Probably Overlooking

Hello!

This week in The Weekend Read we’re talking about something that quietly shapes every outfit we wear and yet hardly ever gets the spotlight. Texture. The way your clothes look, feel, drape and catch the light will add interest and make you think either this outfit really works or it doesn't feel like you.

Texture is the unsung hero of great style. It determines polish, personality, comfort and even how confidently you walk out the door. So today, let’s unravel everything you need to know about texture; how to wear it, which textures suit you and what’s trending for AW25/26.

Plus, this week we've added a little challenge to help you discover what’s already hiding in your wardrobe.

So What Is Texture?

Texture is the surface quality of a fabric; how it looks and feels, is it smooth or ribbed, soft or structured, velvety or crisp, chunky or fine or matte or shiny.

Texture influences everything too including:

• How colours appear
• How a garment drapes
• How polished or relaxed you look
• How comfortable the piece feels on your skin
• How the outfit communicates your personality

Without texture, outfits can fall flat but with texture, outfits suddenly look styled.

Where Texture Comes From

Without getting too technical understanding where texture comes from makes all the difference. Texture is created by the weave or knit (e.g., boucle vs. satin), the weight (fine silk vs. chunky wool), the finishing (brushed, ribbed, embossed, quilted), and the fibre mix (some fibres naturally feel smooth, others textured).

Crucially, texture can affect the colour of garments. Smooth textures like silk show colours clearly and brightly; think of a coloured silk blouse or dress. Textured surfaces soften and diffuse colour, like a chunky knit jumper or cord trousers. Shiny textures like satin can amplify colour intensity such as a bright satin jacket. Matte textures such as a merino wool or a crisp, cotton shirt will tone colours down.

This is why you can put the same colour on two different textures and it looks completely different.

How To Wear Texture

Texture creates dimension. Even a simple outfit can look rich and intentional with just one cleverly texture. For example pairing a silk blouse with wool trousers, a soft knit with a crisp, cotton shirt or a bouclé jacket over denim jeans. Texture is how you create a styled look without trying.

Texture can also create a polished look. Smooth, fine textures look elegant and refined. Chunkier textures look relaxed, cosy or bold. Ribbed or structured textures will add energy and movement to your look. Sheer or drapey textures bring softness and romance to your outfits.

Texture also shapes silhouette too. Heavy textures add structure whereas fine textures create drape and closeness to the body. Medium textures give balance and work well with everyday outfits, while other textures mix beautifully together.

Some of our favourite outfit combinations rely on texture contrast:

• Cashmere and silk
• Cord with crisp cotton
• Linen together with leather
• Bouclé and satin
• Ribbed knit with a tailored wool

If your outfit feels boring, flat or is missing something, it’s usually a texture problem.

Which Textures Suit You

This is where it gets fun as the textures you instinctively reach for or avoid make complete sense once you know your House of Colour Clothing Personality.

Dramatics need bold, modern and architectural looks so the best textures include: strong weaves, scuba knits, structured wool, bouclé and textured tweeds, leather, faux leather and metallic finishes. Dramatics are best to avoid textures that are soft or floppy that collapse on the body.

Classics require a refined, elegant and timeless look with their outfits. They look best in textures such as smooth wool, fine cashmere, crisp cotton, poplin, subtle silk and minimal texture. Classics need to avoid chunky, rough or rustic textures or ones that are too chaotic!

Naturals look best in relaxed, effortless and tactile textures such as slub linen, soft jersey, relaxed knits, brushed cottons, textured wool and anything with movement and ease. Naturals should avoid shiny or overly delicate textures that feel too fussy.

Gamines outfits must be neat, petite and playful. The best textures for Gamines include small-scale tweed, sharp rib knits, fine cord, crisp cotton and

lightweight wool with structure. Gamines are best to avoid oversized or chunky textures as they will drown your proportions.

Ingenues like delicate, gentle and pretty looks so the best textures for them are subtle jacquards, soft lightweight knits, fine lace, small-scale textured patterns, trims, scallops and detail-oriented textures. Ingenues should avoid harsh or heavy textures that overshadow your delicacy.

Romantics look best in soft, feminine and luxurious outfits. Romantics should opt for textures including silk, satin, chiffon, lace, velvet, drapey viscose, and lightweight knits. Romantics need to avoid any textures that are heavy or rigid, or that overpower any softness.

Knowing about texture and how to wear it will transform shopping. Suddenly the things you never wear make sense. It’s not the colour or the cut, it’s the texture.

Texture Trends to Play With This AW25/26

This season is a texture lover’s dream. Designers have gone tactile, dimensional and cosy-but-polished. Here's what to look out for when shopping in-store, online, in charity shops or on Vinted. Also, remember to go shopping in your own wardrobe to see what textures you already have to add to your outfits:

• Herringbone Revival: Coats, skirts, suiting and trousers, especially in deep heritage tones and modern neutrals.
• Bouclé is Back: Think soft jackets, structured cardigans and tailored pieces with a luxe feel.
• Slub & Crinkle Textures: Beautifully imperfect and brilliant for Naturals and Dramatics.
• Luxe Knits: Ribbed, brushed, chunky-but-chic and layering heaven.
• Satin & Silk Shine: A big trend for eveningwear and elevated day looks.
• Mixed-Texture Layering: Designers are intentionally pairing smooth with rough, matte with shiny and soft with structure.

AW25/26 is inviting you to touch your wardrobe, quite literally.

Where To Shop For Beautiful Textures

Choose your brands based on the textures you love and that suit you the best.

If you are looking for bold, structured or textured pieces you will find these at COS, & Other Stories, Massimo Dutti, All Saints, Anthropologie, Karen Millen, John Lewis and Wolf and Badger.

For smooth, polished, classic textures look for brands like Hobbs, Reiss, Whistles, The Fold, Jigsaw, Karen Millen, M&S and LK Bennett.

For soft, natural and tactile textures you will find these in shops such as Seasalt, White Stuff, Kettlewell Clothing, Boden, Poetry, Hush, Aspiga, Lands End and Cotton Traders.

For playful, neat and petite textures, try looking at brands such as Oliver Bonas, Boden, Desigual, Zara, Mint Velvet, Saint and Sofia and Joanie Clothing.

For delicate, pretty and detailed-focused textures, search on Sezane, Mint Velvet, Oasis, Boden, Sister Jane and M&S.

If you are looking for soft, flowy, drapey textures, then Monsoon, Phase Eight, M&S Autograph, Ghost, Nobody's Child, Hope & Ivy, Baukjen, Rixo, River Island and Sosandar are for you.

Challenge: Your Wardrobe Texture Audit

Ready for a mini challenge? This is one of the most revealing styling exercises we do with clients and it’s so simple:

STEP 1: Open your wardrobe and choose:

• 5 things you wear all the time
• 5 things you never wear

STEP 2: Touch each item and notice:

• Are your favourites soft? Smooth? Structured? Ribbed?
• Are your never wear items stiff? Shiny? Bulky? Itchy?

You will see patterns. Everyone does.

STEP 3: Look at the textures and ask yourself:

• Do I prefer smooth or textured?
• Matte or shiny?
• Lightweight or heavyweight?
• Fitted or relaxed?

STEP 4: What needs to happen for each item you have picked?

• Keep it if it fits you and feels like you
• Donate or sell it if it's the wrong texture for your personality
• Upgrade it by replacing with a better texture
• Add one AW25/26 trend texture that excites you

This simple audit often explains years of why you just don’t feel right in certain items, and suddenly your wardrobe becomes easier, more wearable, and more you.

Final Thoughts: It's All in the Texture

Texture tells your style story before colour or shape ever get the chance.

It determines:

• how confident you feel
• how expressive your outfit is
• how your colours appear
• how your personality shines
• how comfortable (or not) you are

For AW25/26, let yourself play. Mix textures and feel your fabrics. Choose textures that work with your clothing personality not against it and enjoy discovering what textures you truly love.

Let us know what you uncover in your wardrobe audit as we love a texture revelation!

Next week in The Weekend Read we are talking about hyper-personal style, the latest zeitgeist movement, and how House of Colour can support your individuality and uniqueness.

Best wishes,

Jenny & Judi xx

Click Here For Your Texture Inspiration

Jenny Goldsmith

Celebrator of Individuality

Curator of Confidence

Tel: 07986 062460

e: jenny.goldsmith@houseofcolour.co.uk

w: www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jennygoldsmith

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