In fact, I don't think it could be more me if I had designed it myself. I've always loved classic lines, beautiful knitwear, argyle, checks, tailored pieces and that slightly old-fashioned preppy style. I trained as an actress many years ago and lived in Edinburgh, and this kind of classic styling was very much part of the fashion around me then. It has always stayed with me, so when Poetcore started becoming popular again, I instantly understood the appeal.
When Very asked me to create some looks around the Poetcore fashion trend, I was genuinely excited because this is an aesthetic I already love wearing. For me, it is very autumn and winter, with lots of opportunities for layering, beautiful textures and those classic pieces that make you feel instantly put together.
I wanted to create outfits that I would genuinely wear rather than simply putting together looks that worked for photographs. I've chosen pieces that fit naturally into my wardrobe, from wide-leg trousers and pretty knitwear to argyle, checks, loafers and a classic trench coat.
I can already picture these outfits fitting into so many of my favourite autumn days, from a slow morning coffee and getting ready for the day, to heading into town for lunch, browsing the shops or meeting friends, and even dressing them up for dinner or drinks. That is what I love about Poetcore fashion: it has that romantic, literary feel, but the individual pieces can still be worn in real life and made completely your own.
I love an autumnal colour palette, particularly browns, beige and grey, but I also like adding little hints of colour and pattern to give an outfit some extra vibrancy. That's why I was so drawn to these pieces from Very. The other thing I love about the Poetcore aesthetic is that it doesn't require you to completely change your wardrobe. These are all pieces that can be worn separately and styled in lots of different ways, which is important to me because I always think carefully before investing in clothes.
I might happily try a trend, but I want my clothes to last the test of time. I want them to feel elegant and classic, while still having enough of a modern edge to stop them feeling dated.
I absolutely love a wide-leg trouser, particularly when it is paired with a more relaxed jumper. There is something about that combination that feels effortless while still looking polished, and the warm brown of the trousers is such an easy autumn shade.
The Apricot jumper works beautifully with them because the beige softens the darker brown, while the embroidered floral detailing and pointelle knit add a feminine touch. I really like having that contrast between the relaxed shape of the trousers and the pretty detail in the jumper.
The loafers were an easy choice because I'm already a huge fan of them. I own three good pairs, so clearly I have a bit of a weakness for loafers, but these are now my fourth pair! They are really comfortable and work so well with the wide-leg trousers, although I can already see myself wearing them with skirts and dresses too.
This is the sort of Poetcore outfit I would genuinely wear for everyday life. I'd happily wear it shopping, for lunch, meeting friends or heading into town. It is comfortable enough to wear all day but still makes me feel properly dressed.
I absolutely love the contrast between these two pieces. The lace trim on the skirt gives the outfit a softer and more feminine feel, while the argyle sweater brings in that classic academic and vintage influence that I associate so strongly with Poetcore.
Argyle has always been one of my favourite patterns, so this sweater was never going to struggle to find its way into my wardrobe. Being Scottish, I also have a natural love of checks and argyle, and I think they are such an easy way to bring a little bit of that heritage into an outfit without making it feel too themed.
This is much more of an evening outfit for me. I'd happily wear it for dinner, drinks or a night out, and I love that it still feels comfortable and wearable rather than overly dressed.
The skirt is also a great example of why I like buying versatile pieces. I could wear it with a plain jumper, a blouse, boots or a completely different cardigan and create a totally different look.
Changing the top layer completely changes the feel of the outfit. The cardigan has a slightly more vintage look than the short-sleeved sweater, and I really like the way the grey works with the colours in the skirt.
This combination feels particularly close to my own style because I've always liked that old-fashioned preppy look, but I don't want it to look dated. I like taking traditional pieces and mixing them with something a little more modern, and I think the lace skirt does exactly that here.
The cardigan is also the sort of piece I know I'll wear in lots of different ways. I could wear it with jeans for a more casual outfit, layer it over a blouse, wear it with tailored trousers or simply button it up with a skirt. That versatility is really important to me. I want to be able to look into my wardrobe and create lots of different outfits rather than buying something that only works one way.
The classic lines, argyle, checks, autumnal colours, layering and loafers are all things I've naturally gravitated towards for years. My Scottish background probably explains some of my love for checks and argyle, while my time living in Edinburgh and my acting background definitely influenced my love of classic, slightly romantic styling.
I think that is also why I have enjoyed putting these outfits together so much. I haven't felt as though I am pretending to be someone else or trying to fit myself into a trend. These are clothes I would choose anyway.
I love being casual when I'm at home, but if I'm going out, I really enjoy dressing up and looking stylish. I like clothes that make me feel confident and put together, but I also want them to be comfortable enough that I can actually enjoy my day. And these pieces have genuinely passed that test for me.
I honestly love how I've styled all five looks, but more importantly, I can see myself wearing the individual pieces in lots of different ways.
The wide-leg brown trousers will work with different knitwear and tops, the Apricot jumper will be lovely with jeans or skirts, and the Mango pieces can easily be mixed together or worn separately.
The argyle cardigan is exactly the kind of classic layer I know I'll keep reaching for, while the checked skort gives me something a little different from my usual trousers and jeans.
The loafers are already going to get plenty of wear, and the River Island trench is one of those pieces that I can see becoming a regular autumn favourite.
I'm also taking several of the pieces away with me for a weekend city break, which is probably the best real-life test I can give them. If I can pack something for a trip and immediately start thinking about all the different outfits I can create with it, I know I've made a good choice.
For me, that means warm autumnal colours, beautiful knitwear, argyle, checks, feminine details, wide-leg trousers, skirts, loafers and a good trench coat. It feels classic and sophisticated, but it can still be comfortable and completely wearable for everyday life. And after creating these outfits, I can safely say that Poetcore isn't going anywhere from my wardrobe.
If anything, I think I've realised that this isn't really a new style for me at all.It's simply a name for a way I've been dressing and the pieces I've been loving for years.
This Post is in collaboration with Very.com
What Is the Poetcore Fashion Trend?
If you've been seeing the term Poetcore fashion and wondering what it actually means, I would describe it as literary-inspired fashion with classic, vintage and academic influences. Think cosy knitwear, tailored trousers, pretty skirts, argyle, checks, loafers, classic coats and lots of clever layering. It has similarities to the preppy and old-money-inspired aesthetic, but I think Poetcore has a softer and more romantic feel. For me, it is less about dressing like you've stepped out of a novel and much more about taking those timeless elements and making them work for your own wardrobe.I love an autumnal colour palette, particularly browns, beige and grey, but I also like adding little hints of colour and pattern to give an outfit some extra vibrancy. That's why I was so drawn to these pieces from Very. The other thing I love about the Poetcore aesthetic is that it doesn't require you to completely change your wardrobe. These are all pieces that can be worn separately and styled in lots of different ways, which is important to me because I always think carefully before investing in clothes.
I might happily try a trend, but I want my clothes to last the test of time. I want them to feel elegant and classic, while still having enough of a modern edge to stop them feeling dated.
My Favourite Poetcore Outfits
For my first outfit, I wanted to create something that felt very much like my everyday style. I paired the Michelle Keegan Ultra Wide Sheer Waistband Trousers in Brown with the Apricot Embroidered Floral Pointelle Knit Jumper in Beige and finished the look with the New Look Women's Faux Suede Metal Bar Chunky Loafers in Brown.I absolutely love a wide-leg trouser, particularly when it is paired with a more relaxed jumper. There is something about that combination that feels effortless while still looking polished, and the warm brown of the trousers is such an easy autumn shade.
The Apricot jumper works beautifully with them because the beige softens the darker brown, while the embroidered floral detailing and pointelle knit add a feminine touch. I really like having that contrast between the relaxed shape of the trousers and the pretty detail in the jumper.
The loafers were an easy choice because I'm already a huge fan of them. I own three good pairs, so clearly I have a bit of a weakness for loafers, but these are now my fourth pair! They are really comfortable and work so well with the wide-leg trousers, although I can already see myself wearing them with skirts and dresses too.
This is the sort of Poetcore outfit I would genuinely wear for everyday life. I'd happily wear it shopping, for lunch, meeting friends or heading into town. It is comfortable enough to wear all day but still makes me feel properly dressed.
A Feminine Take on Poetcore
For my second outfit, I wanted to show a slightly more feminine side of the Poetcore aesthetic. I paired the Mango Lace Trim Mini Skirt in Multi with the Mango Short-Sleeved Argyle Sweater in Grey and, of course, the same brown chunky loafers.I absolutely love the contrast between these two pieces. The lace trim on the skirt gives the outfit a softer and more feminine feel, while the argyle sweater brings in that classic academic and vintage influence that I associate so strongly with Poetcore.
Argyle has always been one of my favourite patterns, so this sweater was never going to struggle to find its way into my wardrobe. Being Scottish, I also have a natural love of checks and argyle, and I think they are such an easy way to bring a little bit of that heritage into an outfit without making it feel too themed.
This is much more of an evening outfit for me. I'd happily wear it for dinner, drinks or a night out, and I love that it still feels comfortable and wearable rather than overly dressed.
The skirt is also a great example of why I like buying versatile pieces. I could wear it with a plain jumper, a blouse, boots or a completely different cardigan and create a totally different look.
Styling the Lace Skirt with an Argyle Cardigan
I actually loved the combination of the lace skirt and argyle so much that I styled the skirt again, this time with the Mango Argyle Pattern Button-Front Cardigan in Grey.Changing the top layer completely changes the feel of the outfit. The cardigan has a slightly more vintage look than the short-sleeved sweater, and I really like the way the grey works with the colours in the skirt.
This combination feels particularly close to my own style because I've always liked that old-fashioned preppy look, but I don't want it to look dated. I like taking traditional pieces and mixing them with something a little more modern, and I think the lace skirt does exactly that here.
The cardigan is also the sort of piece I know I'll wear in lots of different ways. I could wear it with jeans for a more casual outfit, layer it over a blouse, wear it with tailored trousers or simply button it up with a skirt. That versatility is really important to me. I want to be able to look into my wardrobe and create lots of different outfits rather than buying something that only works one way.
I could see myself wearing this for a weekend city break, browsing little shops, stopping for coffee or heading somewhere nice for lunch. It has that dressed-up feel I love, but it doesn't feel like I've tried too hard.
I love the colour combination here. The warm brown knit gives the outfit that lovely autumnal feeling, while the check in the skort adds some interest and stops the colours from blending together too much.
The Mango V-neck sweater is such a classic piece too. I know I'll be able to wear it with lots of different things, whether that's these checked skorts, wide-leg trousers, jeans or layered over a shirt. In fact, I'm actually wearing this jumper as I write this, which probably tells you everything you need to know about how much I like it!
The River Island skort is another piece I particularly like because you get the appearance of a skirt while still having the practicality of shorts underneath. I think that makes it much easier to wear when you're out and about, especially when you want something feminine but still practical.
This is another outfit I'd genuinely wear during the day. It would work for shopping, lunch, a day out or a casual city break, and it is a good example of how you can make the Poetcore trend work for everyday life.
I think a good coat can completely change an outfit, and this one certainly does. I naturally gravitate towards browns, beige and grey, so I really like having the darker orange shade to add a little more colour and vibrancy without moving too far away from my usual autumn palette.
The cropped shape gives the trench a slightly more modern feel, while the classic styling keeps it timeless. I love that balance because it means it doesn't feel like a coat that is only going to work with this particular trend.
A trench coat is one of those pieces I think earns its place in a wardrobe because you can wear it in so many different ways. I would happily wear this one with jeans, dresses, tailored trousers or skirts, as well as with this Poetcore-inspired outfit.
Brown Knitwear and Checked Details
For my fourth look, I went back to one of my favourite combinations for autumn: a cosy brown knit with a checked piece. I paired the Mango V-Neck Knit Sweater in Brown with the River Island Pleat Detail Check Skort in Brown and finished the look with my brown chunky loafers.I love the colour combination here. The warm brown knit gives the outfit that lovely autumnal feeling, while the check in the skort adds some interest and stops the colours from blending together too much.
The Mango V-neck sweater is such a classic piece too. I know I'll be able to wear it with lots of different things, whether that's these checked skorts, wide-leg trousers, jeans or layered over a shirt. In fact, I'm actually wearing this jumper as I write this, which probably tells you everything you need to know about how much I like it!
The River Island skort is another piece I particularly like because you get the appearance of a skirt while still having the practicality of shorts underneath. I think that makes it much easier to wear when you're out and about, especially when you want something feminine but still practical.
This is another outfit I'd genuinely wear during the day. It would work for shopping, lunch, a day out or a casual city break, and it is a good example of how you can make the Poetcore trend work for everyday life.
Adding an Autumnal Trench Coat
For my final outfit, I added the River Island Casual Waisted Crop Trench Jacket in Dark Orange to the checked skort and brown knit combination.I think a good coat can completely change an outfit, and this one certainly does. I naturally gravitate towards browns, beige and grey, so I really like having the darker orange shade to add a little more colour and vibrancy without moving too far away from my usual autumn palette.
The cropped shape gives the trench a slightly more modern feel, while the classic styling keeps it timeless. I love that balance because it means it doesn't feel like a coat that is only going to work with this particular trend.
A trench coat is one of those pieces I think earns its place in a wardrobe because you can wear it in so many different ways. I would happily wear this one with jeans, dresses, tailored trousers or skirts, as well as with this Poetcore-inspired outfit.
I could see myself wearing this for a day in the city, meeting friends for coffee or lunch, or even taking it away on a weekend break. The colour makes it feel a little more special than a traditional neutral trench, but it is still easy enough to throw on over so many outfits.
Layering is one of my favourite parts of autumn and winter dressing, and it is probably another reason why I have taken to Poetcore so easily. I love starting with a simple outfit and then building it up with knitwear, a coat, loafers and accessories.
If you are looking to introduce the trend into your own wardrobe, a trench coat is one of those classic pieces that can work well long after the Poetcore trend has moved on.
That's probably the biggest reason I like this trend. I've always been a classic dresser in real life. At home I'm definitely more casual, but give me the opportunity to dress up and I love looking stylish and put together.
I like that old-fashioned preppy style, and I also love looking like I've spent more on my clothes than I actually have. For me, that comes down to choosing classic shapes, good colours and pieces that work together rather than buying something simply because it is fashionable at that particular moment.
If you want to try Poetcore fashion yourself, I would start with the things you already own. You might already have a pair of tailored trousers or a favourite knit that would work perfectly with the aesthetic.
Adding an argyle cardigan is an easy way to bring in that literary-inspired feel, while a checked skirt or skort can add pattern without making an outfit complicated. A pair of classic loafers can also instantly make an outfit feel more polished.
Then there is layering, which I think is one of the easiest ways to make the aesthetic work. Try combining different textures rather than simply matching everything. A soft knit with a structured coat, a lace skirt with a chunky cardigan or wide-leg trousers with a feminine embroidered jumper can create much more interest.
I also don't think you need to stick to a completely neutral colour palette. I love my browns, beige and grey, but adding a richer autumnal colour, such as the dark orange trench, gives an outfit more personality.
The most important thing is to make the trend feel like you.
Layering is one of my favourite parts of autumn and winter dressing, and it is probably another reason why I have taken to Poetcore so easily. I love starting with a simple outfit and then building it up with knitwear, a coat, loafers and accessories.
If you are looking to introduce the trend into your own wardrobe, a trench coat is one of those classic pieces that can work well long after the Poetcore trend has moved on.
How to Make Poetcore Work for Your Own Wardrobe
The thing I've enjoyed most about creating these Poetcore outfits is that I don't actually feel like I'm dressing completely differently from normal.That's probably the biggest reason I like this trend. I've always been a classic dresser in real life. At home I'm definitely more casual, but give me the opportunity to dress up and I love looking stylish and put together.
I like that old-fashioned preppy style, and I also love looking like I've spent more on my clothes than I actually have. For me, that comes down to choosing classic shapes, good colours and pieces that work together rather than buying something simply because it is fashionable at that particular moment.
If you want to try Poetcore fashion yourself, I would start with the things you already own. You might already have a pair of tailored trousers or a favourite knit that would work perfectly with the aesthetic.
Adding an argyle cardigan is an easy way to bring in that literary-inspired feel, while a checked skirt or skort can add pattern without making an outfit complicated. A pair of classic loafers can also instantly make an outfit feel more polished.
Then there is layering, which I think is one of the easiest ways to make the aesthetic work. Try combining different textures rather than simply matching everything. A soft knit with a structured coat, a lace skirt with a chunky cardigan or wide-leg trousers with a feminine embroidered jumper can create much more interest.
I also don't think you need to stick to a completely neutral colour palette. I love my browns, beige and grey, but adding a richer autumnal colour, such as the dark orange trench, gives an outfit more personality.
The most important thing is to make the trend feel like you.
Why Poetcore Feels So Me
I genuinely couldn't have designed a fashion aesthetic that felt more like me if I had tried.The classic lines, argyle, checks, autumnal colours, layering and loafers are all things I've naturally gravitated towards for years. My Scottish background probably explains some of my love for checks and argyle, while my time living in Edinburgh and my acting background definitely influenced my love of classic, slightly romantic styling.
I think that is also why I have enjoyed putting these outfits together so much. I haven't felt as though I am pretending to be someone else or trying to fit myself into a trend. These are clothes I would choose anyway.
I love being casual when I'm at home, but if I'm going out, I really enjoy dressing up and looking stylish. I like clothes that make me feel confident and put together, but I also want them to be comfortable enough that I can actually enjoy my day. And these pieces have genuinely passed that test for me.
Will I Keep Wearing These Pieces?
Absolutely.I honestly love how I've styled all five looks, but more importantly, I can see myself wearing the individual pieces in lots of different ways.
The wide-leg brown trousers will work with different knitwear and tops, the Apricot jumper will be lovely with jeans or skirts, and the Mango pieces can easily be mixed together or worn separately.
The argyle cardigan is exactly the kind of classic layer I know I'll keep reaching for, while the checked skort gives me something a little different from my usual trousers and jeans.
The loafers are already going to get plenty of wear, and the River Island trench is one of those pieces that I can see becoming a regular autumn favourite.
I'm also taking several of the pieces away with me for a weekend city break, which is probably the best real-life test I can give them. If I can pack something for a trip and immediately start thinking about all the different outfits I can create with it, I know I've made a good choice.
Final Thoughts on the Poetcore Fashion Trend
I think Poetcore is one of those trends that works particularly well if you already love classic fashion. For me, it isn't about dressing like a character from a novel or trying to recreate somebody else's wardrobe. It's about taking those timeless details and making them work with your own personal style.For me, that means warm autumnal colours, beautiful knitwear, argyle, checks, feminine details, wide-leg trousers, skirts, loafers and a good trench coat. It feels classic and sophisticated, but it can still be comfortable and completely wearable for everyday life. And after creating these outfits, I can safely say that Poetcore isn't going anywhere from my wardrobe.
If anything, I think I've realised that this isn't really a new style for me at all.It's simply a name for a way I've been dressing and the pieces I've been loving for years.
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