David Nieper - Pure cotton nightwear

Do you feel uncomfortable wearing stripes? Follow our simple tips and you’ll find it’s easy when you know how!

There’s no denying that as women mature our proportions change and many of us shy away from wearing patterns or designs which draw attention to our figures. One example of this is wearing stripes. But stripes can be versatile and fashionable for all ages, shapes and sizes whatever the season. When worn on the right garment in the right way stripes can enhance your figure, add fresh appeal to any outfit and keep you looking wonderfully up-to-date.

Contrary to popular belief, wearing horizontal stripes can even make you look slimmer. The trick is finding the right design to suit your figure and colouring.

Take a look at the following tips from our experienced designers or simply call our style advice service and our personal advisors will help you find a design to suit you. You can even order a garment, experiment in the comfort of your own home and return it if it’s not quite what you’re looking for.

Stripes to suit everyone

Fine, random stripes minimise and disguise

Wide, even stripes enhance and add volume

When it comes to wearing stripes, there is a commonly held misconception that horizontal stripes make us look bigger and wider than we really are, but thankfully this is a myth. New research reported in ‘The Daily Telegraph’ supports what our designers have always known – wearing carefully placed horizontal stripes can make you look slimmer, accentuate your best features and draw the eye away from areas that you’re less comfortable with. It’s simply a matter of how you wear them and what you wear them with.

Random stripes

Disguising the figure is easy when you choose random stripes like this print on one of our best-selling jumpers. Irregular, horizontal stripes of varying widths strategically placed in a particular sequence and graduated down the garment create a subtle optical illusion which slims and flatters beautifully.

Combining horizontal stripes with a vertical can also help to slim and elongate the silhouette. The narrow vertical stripe creates sections, dividing the figure by breaking the line of the horizontal stripe to produce a flattering, sophisticated effect.

Stripes and solids

The key to introducing stripes to your everyday wardrobe is to pair one pattern with a solid block of colour. Wearing a simple solid which complements or contrasts with the colours of the stripes you’ve chosen will balance your outfit beautifully.

The easiest formula to follow is to wear stripes on the smaller part of the body and solids on the larger, but if you choose the right combination of stripes on a design you can bend this rule to suit your figure. Our style advisors are always on hand to help you make the right choice.

Subtle stripes

If you’re new to wearing stripes, you may prefer to choose a simple design in more neutral, low-contrast colours first. Bold stripes in high-contrast colours can be daunting but soft pastels like these seascape shades are perfectly balanced and understated – gentle on the eye and easy-to-wear for so many everyday occasions.

Stripe details and accents

If you prefer to keep it simple and understated then adding just a touch of a stripe may be the perfect choice for you.

Choosing a solid silhouette with fine striped accents or trims is a wonderful and comfortable way to incorporate the stripe trend into your wardrobe with effortless ease.

Accessorise with stripes

The simplest way to embrace the stripe trend and add a dash of panache to many outfits is to wear patterned accessories with solid blocks of colour. Be it subtly striped in gentle colours or something a little bolder, a simple scarf can instantly add a splash of interest and you can always take it off if you feel uncomfortable.

When wearing stripes, always choose semi-fitted designs or knitwear that is fully fashioned to fit your figure perfectly. Otherwise your stripes, no matter how well placed, will look loose and unflattering.

Help is always at hand if you call our personal advisors.

Layering with stripes or solids.

Layering is a simple and effective way to enhance an otherwise plain outfit. It can be fun too as long as you avoid layering stripe on stripe. Adding an extra layer also gives you a little more warmth especially in the colder months.

Choose a solid colour which complements the colour of your stripes to break the line and create a sleek, slimming silhouette. If you feel confident wearing stripes then you may want to layer them over a plain solid, but if you are still a little unsure choose a solid as the dominant piece.

Seasonal stripes

Whether it’s high contrast, nautical stripes for spring and summer in cool cottons and easy-to-wear jersey, or a cosy mix of autumnal shades in luxuriously soft lambswool, there’s a stripe to suit you all year round.

Choose a country classic or a sporty stripe and pair it with a solid for a touch of classic elegance you’ll turn to time after time.

A tonic for the nation!

No, we’re not talking about the Royal Wedding – wonderful though it was – but the 60th Anniversary of the Festival of Britain!

Like us, the event championed quality design, creative talent and the best of British workmanship.

This Summer, the Festival is being remembered with a series of tribute celebrations and we also felt inspired by the colours red, white and blue for some of our new collections.

A newsreel from the time described the Festival of Britain as giving ‘an inexplicable lift to the heart’, and I hope that the small selection featured here gives your heart a lift too.

With its light, crease-free fabric and technically accomplished cut, this style is supremely flattering – a perfect example of top quality British design in the true spirit of the Festival of Britain.

As light and airy as the Skylon itself, this comfortable pull-on skirt with elasticated waist is perfect for any celebration. Wear it with our 1950’s-inspired jacquard cardigan for a look that’s chic and timeless.

With its gentle flare, this skirt has a jaunty swing that looks fresh and modern. This flattering look is achieved through the clever use of sixteen shaped panels - a triumph of British design and workmanship.

View the David Nieper Summer Collection >

One of the things that makes David Nieper different is the wondrous lengths we go to each season to create a truly co-ordinated wardrobe. I spoke to our senior designer about how we make sure that every piece in the collection works together harmoniously. “The hardest part of our job as designers is trying to pull everything together as a collection. We have beautiful fabrics coming in from all over Europe, and we spend a long time making our colour choices with the customer very much in mind. I try to think of her going about her day to day activities, seeing friends and maybe playing a little sport, and I think of how she’d like to dress. We choose prints with great care and every season have our T-shirts and lace trims specially dyed to match. Then I’ll meet with our jewellery supplier and choose jewellery specifically to go with the clothes. Whoever buys David Nieper clothes knows they can just put it on and not have to worry, because it all works together perfectly.” Highlights from our new collection:

This strikingly elegant jacket really solves the problem of how to look chic in a shower. It’s very smart, fully lined and light enough to take with you anywhere. You can wear the collar ruched up or flat to make it look that little bit different.

This timeless style is a classic that never feels out of fashion. Our pure cotton knitted top is beautiful quality, designed by us and made here in Derbyshire and the luxury linen blend trousers add style and comfort to everyday living.

We chose a print from France for this black and ivory tunic that’s the perfect answer whenever ‘smart-casual’ is required. You could wear it at any age, with trousers or a skirt, and the black crystal jewellery sets it off a treat.

View our new collection here >

Focus on summer with a natural theme!

Colour-matched clothes in navy, cream and white with accents of red form the heart of the collection. I asked our design team how they set about creating this new collection.

“At the start of the season we spend a long time putting different fabrics together that we know will co-ordinate. We then go to great lengths to dye lace trim or yarns to match.

It means that all the different collections – smart everyday wear, smart occasion wear and weekend wear – work perfectly together.

It’s the perfect way to dress and feel co-ordinated even when relaxing.”

Bias cut dress inspired by the simple femininity of 1940's fashion. Soft, luxurious, uncrushable crêpe de chine, so easy to wear, so easy to love.

Brave the summer showers stylishly. This showerproof jacket is lightweight, casual and beautifully made and with a zip away hood hidden in the collar. Fabulous.