Suitcase Ready Style from Cotton Traders (AD)

I am having an epic year, travel-wise. From those grim lockdown years where a trip to the local supermarket felt like an adventure, 2022 has seen me so far enjoying breaks in our touring caravan, flying to Gran Canaria to experience our first ever all inclusive hotel and a long awaited, many times rebooked trip to Venice and Burano with friends.

Still to come we have a road trip to France through the tunnel (another first!), another caravan outing, a weekend in a hotel in Cardiff to drop a child at Uni and a Eurostar trip with two good pals to Amsterdam. For the museums obvs.

All this gadding about is wonderful of course, but I do hate packing. I've tried folding, rolling, compression bags and just hurling things into the suitcase but still generally end up with clothes which look like the last dregs at the world's worst jumble sale.

Then I learned about the new wrinkle free range from Cotton Traders. With pieces from shorts with a comfort band to allow for holiday excess or to combat that airplane bloat to essential classic pieces like a black vest top which goes with pretty much everything!

I was invited to choose a few pieces from the brand's new wrinkle free range and from their latest fashion collection which led to a happy hour browsing the collection.The new Cotton Traders’ Spring Summer 22 collection - Suitcase Ready Style - is bigger, brighter, and better than ever, bringing effortless style to the forefront of Spring, whilst celebrating the return of summer holidays after several months of being restricted to UK getaways. 

With hold luggage prices astronomical I like to travel light with hand luggage only wherever possible so I went for a mix and match approach with just four pieces forming the basis of a whole host of outfits, especially when combined with items from my own wardrobe.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the perfect pick printed pull on fern midi skirt (available in sizes 10-22) which has a flat front and an elasticated back making it probably the most comfortable swishiest skirt in existence. Teamed with the wrinkle free scoop neck vest top in black (available in sizes 8-24) this is a classic which can be teamed with white trainers, black Birkenstocks or even a nice wedge or high heels to dress it up. Add the gorgeous cosy Skye long sleeve cable button cardigan (available in sizes 8-22) for cooler days or evening BBQ parties 💖

I recently spent a weekend working as part of a hot air balloon team - an old hobby we've recently taken up again. I'd forgotten that trousers are de rigour for comfort and safety while ballooning and with this in mind I chose the wrinkle free comfort trousers in beige (different leg lengths available and sizes 10-22) which are the very definition of smart casual! So soft, no digging in when you bend (which is quite a lot when you are hot air ballooning) elasticated back and with a cute tie at the front. 

I rolled mine up because I like the look, and teamed them with my own white vest top, the cable cardigan and high top white trainers. As an aside I am, delighted that unlike many things which were in fashion when I was in my 20's, this style of trainers I can wear and enjoy all over again.

I found sizing of the Cotton Traders clothing to be pretty much spot on. Everything was excellent quality and the images online accurately portrayed style and colour. I am very tempted to go back for the divine Poppy Midi Shirt Dress which I think will prove extremely popular!

With the focus on comfort and style with a whole host of very wearable versatile styles for day and night plus accessories including shoes, belts and bags you could fill your suitcase very easily with no horrendous trips to the High Street needed. Although if shopping in real life is your thing, Cotton Traders has actual stores you can visit - best of both worlds!

Disclaimer: I was invited to choose 4 items from the wrinkle free and new range for the purpose of this honest review.