'Denise Welch made me buy this £49 M&S jacket that's perfect for summer layering'

If you’d asked me last month to name my daytime fashion inspirations, I’d likely have reeled off the usual suspects - Frankie Bridge, Cat Deeley or Rochelle Humes. Denise Welch probably wouldn’t have been the first name that comes to mind, but appearing on a June episode of Loose Women, the actress was seen sporting a piece that I instantly had to track down.

The 67-year-old donned the Pure Cotton Striped Tie Front Shacket from M&S’s Per Una collection, which happens to be under £50. When I checked online for stock, it had completely sold out, but luckily I managed to get my hands on it in store. Lucky for shoppers, it’s since been restocked and is available in most sizes.

Now, I really dislike the word shacket. It gives me the same visceral reaction others get to words like ‘moist’. However, while the word once triggered fashion fatigue, it really is the best way to describe this blouse-come-layering-piece.

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Priced at £49.50, the lightweight jacket is made from 100% cotton in an oversized, boxy fit. It’s lightweight enough to be worn alone as a blouse, but heavy enough to wear as a jacket without it being flimsy.

It boasts long sleeves and a collared V-neckline, complete with three tie front closures for an on-trend look. This design detail is one that won’t be going out of style anytime soon, either, which means shoppers can wear it year-round.

However, not everyone has been a fan of the trend. On the M&S jacket, one shopper commented: “Who needs such fussy ties to close this top? This season seems full of them.”

That said, others have left five star reviews, complimenting the shacket’s ‘good quality’ and ‘comfortable’ feel. One wrote: “The item was made of good quality fabric with an unusual closure but it was large. I usually take 18/20 and even the 16 was loose.”

Another said: “Great quality and design, comfortable to wear was a little unsure as shacket as have purchased one before and not altogether sold on these as really was not one thing or another but I would say this is a heavy denim shirt and a good spring top very intend with the tie front.”

If the M&S tie-front shacket has whet your appetite for a new denim staple, but isn’t quite for you, Boden’s Denim Frill Collar Jacket costs £119 and is channeling Parisian vibes. The feminine ruffles are a dreamy touch that set it apart from other denim pieces on the high street.

Alternatively, this ASOS DESIGN denim rugby top is on sale from £36 to £23.50. It has that same revere collar silhouette, but is ideal for wearing solo, accessorised with a satin neck tie.

As for the M&S jacket, I paired it with the matching pinstripe jeans, however, I was a little bit let down by them. The quality and cut were spot on, but they appear to be a touch lighter than the top, and while most people wouldn’t notice, it does bug me a little bit. It doesn’t matter when wearing them as separates, but when opting for the full co-ord look, it would have been better if they were exactly the same shade.

Another slight downside about the top is that the ties do occasionally need tightening throughout the day, but that’s a minor inconvenience and wouldn’t stop me from wearing it - especially considering how many compliments it’s earned me.

So while Denise Welch being a style icon may not have been on my 2025 bingo card, I must give credit where it’s due because I haven’t been able to stop wearing this jacket since I bought it. It’s currently available in sizes 8-22 online, though some additional sizes could be found in store. It is roomy, so if you enjoy an oversized fit, I’d go for your usual size, but for a snugger silhouette, many will be able to afford sizing down.