Sarah Corbett-Winder has always loved suits. The stylist’s personal Instagram page documents her outfits daily for her 179,000 followers. From a young age she saw what a great investment a suit could be, and years of personal styling have built on that appeal for using suit separates to create so many outfits.
She has decided to release her own brand, Kipper Club. Off-the-peg, tailored suits made for the everyday, with a mission to flatter, inspire and empower women.
The name is in reference to the women first employed on Savile Row. “Kipper” was slang for a female tailor. They would work in pairs to protect each other in a male-dominated industry.
The collection for launch features a long-line single-breasted blazer and trousers that come in three fabrics: a blue cord a brown velvet and a tweed. All are available only on the brand’s website up to a size 18.
Wanting to keep it feeling exclusive and exciting, she is selling 180 suits (60 of each colour) and is planning the next drop in new colourways. The first run has been funded from money made from her Instagram page, which she started during the covid pandemic.
All Kipper suits are designed, created and manufactured in Great Britain and Corbett-Winder used her years of experience in the clothing industry to decide the cut. These are suits that are not meant to go out of fashion, but be a forever suit.
Thoughtful additions are built into the trousers, such as a generous hem for those who might need to let them down. Sarah is 5’ 7” and they are the perfect length for her. The jacket is weighty, thanks to the lining and shoulder pads.
The prices £220-£380 position Kipper Club against elevated high-street brands such as Jigsaw, Me+Em and Whistles, but also reflect garments that are created and manufactured in the UK.
The wool is from Yorkshire and buttons are from a maker in Somerset. Corbett-Winder worked with a pattern cutter and the manufacturing is done in north London.
Initial Kipper Club accessories on offer are a printed silk scarf with a twist on the classic paisley print, re-designed with the Kipper motif.
And a fun enamel badge to become a member of the "Kipper Club" designed to wear on your newly purchased suit lapel.
Tailoring’s renewed popularity over the past couple of seasons is down to both a convenience and a confidence it bestows on the wearer. One outfit can multiply into several when you just wear the blazer with jeans, or the trousers with a jumper. Throughout the summer and now into winter months, I have enjoyed layering blazers over all my dresses. I know it is only a matter of time before I put on a whole suit for the first time!
By Anna Bance
November 2023
Stylist, Sarah Corbett-Winder has launched her own brand, with a collection of off-the-peg, tailored suits made for the everyday.
By
Anna Bance
·
Published November 2023
Anna is the co-founder of Girls Meets Dress and a contributing editor to The Guide. She expertly guides us round the most covetable online fashion.
