As an actor, Michelle Keegan possibly didn't expect her on-screen wardrobe in Netflix's Fool Me Onceto accidentally became the focal point of the chart-topping drama. While we all binge-watched the show, we also shopped her outfits, from Karen Millen coats to Whistles bomber jackets, making Keegan, inadvertently, the most influential dresser of the beginning of 2024.
Those of you who bought into her character's style, which was not miles away from Keegan's own aesthetic, will be pleased to know that she has since collaborated with Very on the latest instalment of her ongoing partnership with the high street label. Unsurprisingly, it's packed with party pieces, just in time for the Christmas season.
Happily, Keegan had some time to sit down with Grazia and tell us all about the new collection, as well as let us into the secret of the best jeans she's ever worn...
On her Very collection
'This collection is the transition from summer months into winter so we have lots of different tones in this one, deep purples… we've even got a bit of pink in there which I never normally have but we've done it in warmer pinks so you can wear them out, but they're also really cosy as well. We've got sleek silhouettes, we've got a little bit of diamanté in there and we've also got a bit of sequins. We've also got all the classics like little black dresses and co-ords, which I love wearing this time of year as they're so easy to style.'
On her favourite pieces
'It's probably the Sequin Midaxi Dress in Blackberry, £65 because we've never done that look before. The fabric we used is completely different to anything that we've ever done in seven years. It's like a wet-look sequin and we got the idea off the catwalk. I remember the team showing me months and months ago and I absolutely loved it. Then, we got the material right and it just looked amazing on camera.
'Also, I loved the three-piece set I wore to the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. It was one of [those situations] when you put an outfit on and you're like, 'Yeah, I'm definitely going to wear this a lot.' My friends went out and bought it without even telling me!'
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On how to dress for party season
'I'm quite casual when I go out now but I like to elevate the outfits I've already got. So, if I'm wearing a pair of jeans or trousers, we've got a black bandeau top, £32 but it's got a sequinned diamanté trim around the top just to add a bit of sparkle to your outfit and to give it something more. I'm excited to wear that this party season. We also have the Premium Halter Flower Dress, £55 with a sequinned flower on it and it's got thin spaghetti straps I haven't worn that yet, but I think that teamed with a black blazer and boots on a night out would look amazing.'
On her everyday uniform
'My everyday outfit is tracksuits, I love being comfy. In the collection, we do have a woolly two-piece in camel that I basically live in. There's also a grey two-piece as well that's off the shoulder and I literally always wear it around the house. And if I need to nip out, I just put on a pair of trainers with them and a jacket. It's just one of those outfits you can wear in the house to chill but you can also wear it out if you need to run errands or go to the shop. You don't have to go back upstairs to get changed. I love comfortable, cosy, easy-wear outfits.'
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On favourite styling tricks
'I think in winter, the thing that pulls a look together is a good classic coat. I think a coat that goes with anything, whether you go out for the day or in the evening. I've got two coats in the collection I'm obsessed with. One is the Premium Wool Blend Belted Coat in Grey, £80.
'I went shopping with Becky months ago, who styles me for Very and we were looking for the perfect grey and we couldn't find the right one anywhere. You know, one that's long enough, I don't want one that just goes up to the knee, I want it to go right to the floor because I think it looks more elevated, more expensive. We were traipsing around for ages and ages and she was like, 'You know what you should do? Just put it in your collection, and then you've always got it.' That's why we did the long grey coat because I just think it looks really expensive and the material is fab.
'We also did it in a camel colourway. I just think wearing a coat like that elevates any outfit. And those styles never go out of style and it's perfect for a capsule wardrobe.'
On great jeans
'I'll say this - I believe that my denim is really good in all the collections that I've done. My denim is a staple in my wardrobe. People are always asking where my jeans are from and I've got to go, 'Um, yeah they're mine.' But I do feel like they just fit so well and the material is brilliant.'
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On the best thing she's ever bought
'I used to work in Selfridges for a few years and would walk through the bag department on the way to the canteen to get my lunch, so I used to spend half of my lunch break just looking at bags and trying them on in the mirror. When I got my first ever pay cheque from Corrie when I first started acting, I remember I went shopping with my mum and she said, 'You should treat yourself to a bag you never thought you would have.'
'She made me buy this big purple Chloé bag which I look at now and it's horrendous. It's not in fashion at all. It's shiny, it's purple, it's massive, but I just can't throw it away. The sentimental value for me is unbelievable, I've still got it and I still look at it all the time. That's the top accessory that I've ever bought just because it means so much.'
On style inspiration
'I get my inspiration off the catwalk. We have lots of team meetings, people go to different fashion awards and we all come together and pick out our favourite looks. Then we try and incorporate them into the next collections. I also like going on Instagram as well, I'm not going to lie. I love street style and I get my inspiration from even walking down the road if I see someone wearing something, I'll think, 'Oh it's cool how she's teamed that up' or 'I like that colour'. I get inspiration from everywhere really.'
Aimee Jakes is Grazia’s trending content editor. As well as writing about skincare launches, high-street fashion and gym bag essentials, she’s forever chatting to celebs about their fancy beauty routines. Follow her on Instagram here.