THERE are three decades between Julie Whiteley, 62, and her daughter Abby McHale, 30, and their wardrobes are worlds apart.
While Julie’s go-to uniform is bootcut jeans and a floral blouse, Abby lives for bright, oversized and statement pieces.
Here, Fabulous’ deputy fashion editor Abby, challenges her mum to wear her wardrobe for a week.
Julie from Leeds, West Yorkshire, swaps fitted frocks and ‘matchy matchy’ accessories for animal print, giant collars and pink puffy dresses… here’s how she got on.
Leopard print jeans
Julie says: “I was intrigued to try Abby’s leopard print jeans as I’ve seen quite a few styles in the shops but have always felt they might be too out there for me.
“I do wear prints but they tend to be florals or botanical patterns. I was shocked at how much I liked them.
“They were comfortable and I love the style – I might get a pair for myself.”
Julie’s rating: 4/5
Abby says: “I love these jeans – I’ve had them for a couple of months and they go with so many different things in my wardrobe: jumpers for winter and T-shirts in summer.
“I would never get Mum to wear them normally, so this challenge was the perfect opportunity. I knew she would suit them.”
Lemon cardigan
Julie says: “Lemon is not a colour I would normally buy. It’s one of those colours we often shy away from. It can be hard to wear as I sometimes feel like it can wash me out.
“However, I didn’t feel like that at all with this cardigan.
“I was surprised it was from New Look too as I always feel it’s suited to a younger crowd and I wouldn’t be able to wear things from there. I’ll have to start looking in there.
“Abby suggested wearing the lemon cardi with the leopard print jeans – a great combination.”
Julie’s rating: 5/5
Abby says: “Lemon is a big colour this season and screams spring.
“Paired with the leopard print jeans is exactly how I’d wear it, so I wanted Mum to style it the same. I think she looks great in it.
“Yellow is a colour that really can suit everyone, you just have to find the right shade for you, for example, the pale yellow shade really suits mum’s olive complexion.”
Gingham midi skirt
Julie says: “Abby loves a midi skirt, but it’s not something I have ever really been on board with.
“I feel like my generation tends to wear dresses which are a bit more fitted around the waist. When it comes to skirts, I’m a bit lost as to what to style them with.
“I couldn’t decide whether to tuck the top in or not and eventually went for a tuck as I like to add shape to my silhouette.
“However, I felt like I was walking around holding in my stomach all day as I was running errands. Even though the elasticised waist was comfortable, this skirt wasn’t for me.”
Julie’s rating: 2/5
Abby says: “Midi skirts are my new version of midi dresses – I love them.
“And this one from Next is bang on trend, in not only the length and fit but the gingham pattern too.
“I’m glad Mum gave this one a go, and I do think she looks lovely in the skirt, but it’s just not very her.
“I wear this skirt with oversized T-shirts and trainers; however tucking a top in like mum has is still a lovely way of keeping your shape if you want something more fitted.”
Statement colour
Julie says: “I would never think to wear an oversized collared shirt like this, it seems a bit too fashiony for me.
“And whilst it looked stylish paired with jeans and red trainers, it was a little too cropped for my liking. I like tops to be a bit longer so when I lift my arms, my stomach isn’t on show.
“I know Abby loves these kinds of styles, but I’ll leave this one to her.”
Julie’s verdict: 3/5
Abby says: “Anything with a collar has my name written all over it so of course I had to give Mum my latest find from Primark to try.
“She wasn’t a fan but I personally thought she looked great, especially with her light blue jeans – it’s giving a subtle nod to the prairie trend without going all out.
“Whilst it may not be her style, I think she does still prove that you can wear pieces like this no matter what age you are.”
Cow print top
Julie says: “At a first glance, cow print isn’t a particularly appealing pattern, however, Abby assured me that it was the ‘in’ print of the season.
“And I have to say, out of everything in Abby’s wardrobe, this was my favourite.
“Wearing it for lunch with some old school friends with my flared jeans and suede boots, they were full of compliments.
“I’m definitely going to go on the hunt for this, or I might even see if Abby will let me keep it.”
Julie’s verdict: 5/5
Abby says: “How cool does Mum look in this top?
“The way she styled it – with her glasses, jeans and boots, I am loving.
“Whilst Mum has always shopped on Next, there are some pieces like this that I know she wouldn’t have felt like she could pull off.
“But I think she’s rocking it better than I do.
“Cow print is everywhere on the high street right now and Mum’s showing that you can add a splash of it, like with this blouse, and look great.”
Pink puff-sleeve dress
Julie says: “A puff sleeve pink dress is very Abby and almost a bit too girly for me.
“After playing around with pieces in my wardrobe, I opted to wear it with a matching pink bag and shoes. I know Abby would wear this more casually with trainers, but that’s a step too far for me, it would have to be for an occasion like a wedding.
“Sadly, I couldn’t actually bring myself to wear this outfit out and about – the heels certainly weren’t practical for a day’s shopping in Leeds. But if I get an opportunity to dress up over summer, I will remember this look. And I can’t believe it’s from Primark.”
Julie’s verdict: 3/5
Abby says: “This is very girly for Mum, but I think she looks great in it, pink really suits her.
“I knew she’d accessorise matching, which works really well making it an all tonal outfit.
“However, as well as wearing it more casually myself with trainers, I would also experiment more with different coloured accessories.”
Julie’s final verdict…
“Wearing Abby’s wardrobe has opened my eyes to prints and colours that I might have otherwise looked past, and I’ll be trying different shops like New Look.
“I think sometimes I might dismiss some of the things Abby wears because they aren’t smart or fitted, but this shows that we can both wear the same clothes – no matter our age – we just might style them differently.
“Over the years Abby has borrowed some of my clothes – like a T-shirt from the 90s that she still wears today – so now I’ll be raiding her wardrobe from time to time.”
Abby’s final verdict
“WHEN I was growing up, I always felt Mum was fashionable. She would pour over magazines and hit the shops most Saturdays – it’s where I got my love of fashion from.
“I’ve often borrowed her clothes but I think, despite me working in fashion, I sometimes turn up to see her in baggy statement trousers and an oversized T-shirt and she thinks I look like a sack of spuds. Our styles have become very different over the years.
“It’s so great to see her trying some different pieces and proving you can be bang on trend in your 60s – and for her to see that my style isn’t all that bad.”
