Suitcase Ready Style From Cotton Traders [AD]

[AD] Contains gifted products

Whether you’re going for a UK break or braving airport chaos to go abroad this Summer, you’ll probably be in a dilemma about what to pack. It needs to be practical. Something that doesn’t crease easily and looks good after sitting in a suitcase. Weather appropriate, catering for all eventualities. If this sounds like your packing list, I am about to introduce you to an absolute game-changer range from Cotton Traders.

Cotton Traders Wrinkle Free Collection

When I was a teenager buying a sleeping bag for my Duke of Edinburgh Award, the man in the shop told me that a sleeping bag packs better into its bag if you shove it in, rather than folding it. Now, I am aware that he was referring specifically to sleeping bags. But in my world, that became the way everything should be packed. Thirty years on and nothing has changed. Grab a rucksack and wedge everything in. Surely it doesn’t take up less space when it’s folded than when it’s shoved? So, when Cotton Traders asked if I wanted to try their wrinkle free collection, they came to the right place. I was ready to put it through its paces.

Wrinkle Free Trousers

The collection itself is pleasantly varied, with a range of trousers, shorts, tops and shirts. I have got quite into wearing trousers that aren’t jeans. Not that I don’t love a pair of jeans, but I lived in them for so long that it’s quite nice to go for something different. So, these wrinkle free pull-on trousers really appealed to me. They’re comfy and look great, even after being subjected to my rucksack. The colour holds really well when they go through the wash, and I feel the need to apologise for anyone who sees me regularly because they have become my go-to trousers, so I’ll probably be wearing them most of the time from now on. As you can see, the trousers look a little creased in the photo but these are natural creases from the way they sit when being worn.

Wrinkle free tops

To go with the trousers, I chose a lovely ¾ Sleeve Eyelet Stripe Jersey Top. This is a lovely thick, stretchy fabric and I can understand why it doesn’t crease at all. I really like the pattern too and I’m actually tempted to buy a few more the same. However, the fact that this doesn’t crease is nothing on the absolute witchcraft that is a wrinkle-free shirt. I rarely wear shirts because I can not be bothered to iron them. There are too many other things I would rather do with my time. So, a wrinkle-free shirt is a complete game changer. These are available in a variety of patterns and sit really nicely even after a being packed into a rucksack.

Cotton Traders Poppy Maxi Shirt Dress

I don’t often wear dresses for casual occasions. I’m not sure why really, it’s just not something I feel particularly comfortable in. But when I was deciding what to order from the Cotton Traders website, I kept coming back to this maxi shirt dress. It’s really quite casual for a dress. Light and easy to wear for any occasion. I’ve actually worn it quite a lot already, which has surprised me. What hasn’t surprised me is the compliments I’ve had about it. It’s really lovely to own a dress I feel completely comfortable in. Loose but shaped, the fabric hangs beautifully and I’m sure I’ll be wearing it regularly for years to come.

Cotton Traders Sizing

I find buying the right size really difficult these days. A 12 in one brand might be the same size a different manufacturer’s 10 or 14. When I ordered these clothes from Cotten Traders, I went for a 12. Afterwards though, I wondered if I’d been a bit optimistic. Luckily for me, the sizing is a little on the large side from Cotton Traders and everything fits perfectly. I wouldn’t necessarily advise buying a size smaller than usual but if you’re between sizes, I would err on the side of the smaller one when shopping with Cotton Traders.

[AD] Contains gifted products