Helen Skelton’s pink waistcoat and trousers show soft pastels and tailoring go hand-in-hand for summer

Helen Skelton's waistcoat and trousers have inspired us to try out the tailored co-ord trend this summer and pastel tones are the way to go

Helen Skelton wearing a trench coat, green top and skirt on January 24, 2019
(Image credit: Photo by HGL/GC Images via Getty)

Helen Skelton’s pink waistcoat and trousers have shown that soft pastel shades and tailoring are the perfect summer combination.

Your best jumpsuits and floral dresses will always be summer wardrobe staples but for elevated casual outfits it doesn’t come much more chic than a tailored co-ord. Waistcoats and trousers have been a popular choice for summer for some time now and are the epitome of sophistication. Depending on the colour and fabric they can work for everything from a wedding to a family BBQ and presenter Helen Skelton recently wore a pink set from River Island that we won’t forget in a hurry. She took to Instagram to share a collection of her recent work looks, including this waistcoat and trouser co-ord and the combination of the pastel hue and smart silhouette was gorgeous. 

So gorgeous that we were sad to discover that it’s almost completely sold out in this particular shade and in many of the others too. Whilst there are so many styles of waistcoat out there, Helen’s had a longline design and draped elegantly over the waistband of her wide leg trousers.

Shop Waistcoat Co-Ords Like Helen Skelton's

The V-neckline framed Helen’s décolletage and was mirrored in the bottom hem which flared out slightly underneath the third button. The matching pink trousers had a relaxed feel to them which contrasted beautifully against the more fitted waistcoat. They fell right to the floor, giving fans only the slightest glimpse of the presenter’s pointed toe heels.

Having a more casual silhouette with her trousers helped to make Helen’s look a little less formal and this is a great tip if you want to add some tailored pieces to your summer capsule wardrobe but don’t want your outfits to look too business-like. According to Digital Fashion Editor of Woman&Home, Caroline Parr, a co-ord like this one is also incredibly versatile as you can easily mix-and-match the pieces.

"A waistcoat with matching tailored trousers will serve you so well this summer, whether you're heading to Wimbledon or wanting to stay cool at the office," she says. "A subtle blush pink hue like Helen's is a great place to start if you're a waistcoat novice, and the V-neckline will frame your favourite jewellery perfectly. The best part about this trend is that you can mix and match both pieces, meaning endless new wardrobe combinations!"

Helen Skelton attends the Pride of Britain Awards 2022

(Image credit: Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty)

If you’ve been inspired by Helen Skelton’s pink waistcoat and trousers but aren’t sure about pink, you could also consider picking up a soft green, blue or beige co-ord to achieve a similar look. Helen accessorised her waistcoat and trousers with pink-beige court shoes that had a metallic heel. 

Court shoes are timeless and you can style a neutral pair with most outfits in your wardrobe, from jeans and a shirt to a vibrant midi dress. The presenter added some chunky gold earrings and bracelets and a chain necklace with a round pendant that brought out the warm undertones in her co-ord. She wore her blonde hair straight and sleek with a centre parting and subtly matched her pink lipstick and blusher to her outfit too. 

This was such a stunning look from Helen and one of many amazing outfits we’ve seen from the presenter recently. Helen Skelton’s floral maxi skirt was another pretty choice for summer that was also from River Island, and she wore it with a pale blue knitted shirt. Whichever way you look at it, pastel colours are a styling must-have for this season.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!