Evening |

I can’t wait – DSI Stella Gibson is back! (Thursday, 9pm on BBC2.) Maybe we’ll finally solve the big howdunnit of Season One: how did she get all those silk shirts into that tiny suitcase?

I’m assuming that you have a silk shirt or two? If not, the situation needs remedying. No other garment says ‘woman-to-reckon-with’ quite like a silk shirt: sensuous, tactile, feminine, structured, luxurious. Tantalising and a wee bit intimidating at the same time, and even better with a subtle hint of décolletage as demonstrated by Gillian Anderson who is just gorgeous at 46! Great hair, great figure, great wardrobe, great role.

Season One of The Fall inspired me to re-visit my makeup, with a consultation on ‘smoky eyes’ at my local Bobbi Brown counter.

In anticipation of Season Two, here is my tribute to DSI Stella Gibson – in the form of a selection of some of the best silk shirts on the market at the moment. Get them now, before the Gibson effect kicks in again.

First of all the budget options:

Top left: And Other Stories, top right: And Other Stories

Bottom left: ASOS, bottom right: Zara

There are usually bargains galore at The Outnet, below:

And if your budget is a bit more police commissioner than police constable:

Top left: Net a Porter has pages of silk blouses, top right: Pinstripeandpearls, bottom left: Pure

InnerMutton likes culottes, both practical and smart they fit nicely into our style uniform, and now they are trendy too.

I particularly like this sharply tailored pair from Marni via Net a Porter…

marni culottes

obviously high-quality cloth and a great cut that creates a strong, sculptural profile. And teamed with some chunky loafers or brogues (a story for another day!), or high courts for evening wear, these are a classic item to add to your winter wardrobe.

Sadly I don’t have a Marni budget, nor can I stretch to Acne Studios’ version…

acne culottes

which at £400 (and also via Net-A-Porter) are only a tad cheaper, so I’ve been on the hunt for something similar.

Much of what is on the market is shorter – around the knee – and to my eye looks a bit like an ill-fitting summer skirt. I was temporarily diverted by leatherette…but then I remembered this is InnerMutton and not InnerGestapo, so I moved along.

So, for now I am sticking with this pair from Topshop… topshop

They don’t have quite the same stiff A-line shape but at £40 they are one tenth of the price of the next nearest contender. They are from the Tall range hence the extra length in the leg. And as with all product presented here, something I’d be happy to send my granny out in!

I think that there will be more to say on this subject as ‘culotte’ searches are turning up more and more product daily – so watch this space.