Stylist Karen Williams shares her SS26 summer fashion top five wardrobe must-haves at Victoria Leeds shopping centre
Celebrity stylist Karen Williams has dressed stars from Beyoncé to David Beckham. She visited Victoria Leeds to share her insight and summer style tips.
“This summer I’m loving elevated simplicity. Soft tailoring, monochrome looks, relaxed linen, waistcoats, oversized shirts and beautiful neutral tones mixed with pops of colour like butter yellow and sky blue,” says Karen, who joined Michelle Eagleton, host of the Style Arcades podcast, for a Victoria Leeds Fashion Week event called Notes on Fashion.
“I also love a great co-ord because it instantly makes you look put together. Texture is important to me too, things like crochet, soft suedes, leather details and lightweight layering all add depth to a look.”
To begin building a year-round wardrobe, start with strong foundations and quality staples that can move across seasons.
“I always say build a wardrobe around pieces you genuinely love and feel confident in rather than impulse buying trends. Think great denim, tailoring, layering pieces, beautiful outerwear and versatile shoes. Then add personality through accessories, colour and seasonal updates. A wardrobe should work for your life, not against it.”
Karen’s top five pieces that every woman’s wardrobe needs are:
1. A great blazer
2. Well-fitting denim
3. A white shirt
4. A beautiful coat or trench
5. A bodysuit I can wear as the foundation for everything
“And I’d probably sneak in a great pair of trainers too because comfort and style can absolutely coexist.
“I mix high street with premium and designer because I think great style is about how you put things together, not just the label. I shop everywhere from John Lewis to &otherstories to independent brands and investment designer pieces.
“I have loved browsing the amazing mix of retailers at Victoria Leeds too, from Reiss, Nobody's Child and Whistles to luxury houses like Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood and Mulberry.
“I also love shopping all things pre-loved. I enjoy finding elevated pieces that feel timeless but modern.
For autumn I’m already thinking about rich textures and deeper tones like chocolate brown, burgundy, navy and soft camel. I love strong outerwear, knee-high boots, oversized knits and polished layering. I think we’ll continue seeing a move towards understated luxury and wearable elegance rather than overly flashy fashion.”
Fashion trends still exist, but people are becoming more intentional, she says. “Women are moving away from blindly following trends and are becoming more focused on personal style. I think the future of fashion is individuality, so taking inspiration from trends but adapting them to suit your lifestyle, body, energy and personality. Confidence never goes out of fashion.”
“I have always loved the transformative power of fashion, not just how it makes you look, but how it makes you feel. What really sparked my career was understanding that style can build confidence, identity and self-worth. That’s now become part of my wider philosophy - ‘Find Your Fabulous’, dressing the outside while strengthening the inside.”
Karen says that it is connection that she loves most about her job.
“I love helping women feel seen, confident and empowered. Fashion can sometimes seem superficial from the outside, but I genuinely believe style can change how people carry themselves and how they move through the world. If I can inspire someone to feel better about themselves, take up space confidently and find joy in who they are, then I feel like I’ve done my job.”
For the Victoria Leeds Style Arcades podcast, hosted by Michelle Eagleton, see https://www.victorialeeds.co.uk/style-arcades-podcast/