I like when a label's origin story is sitting right there in the clothes. In February 2020, Lois Saunders found a second-hand Manchester United scarf in a charity shop, turned it into a vest, posted it, and suddenly people were asking for one. She grew up in Canterbury, studied design at UCA, then fashion at Manchester School of Art, and started 1XBLUE while she was still finishing her degree.

 

That first reworking instinct still runs through the label, even now that Saunders makes her own prints and shapes. She looks to museum and archive imagery, 1990s films and the odd asymmetrical cutout, and has worked with Hugo Comte and Conor Cunningham. I read 1XBLUE as a little sporty, a little surreal, and happiest when one unexpected detail gets to lead.

 

When I wear something with this much personality (at least in my head), I let the rest of the outfit stay calm.

The tops are where the experiments get easiest to wear. The Spiral Strap Tank Top has a silver spiral detail and a nipped waist, so I would let that lead and keep the bottoms plain. The White Upcycled Lace Top is loose and openly sheer, which means it needs a thought-out layer underneath. The White Twist Top is the cleaner line, while the Eyelet Tracksuit Top, Playing Card Tank and Taxi T-shirt bring the sporty, graphic side. If you want to keep going, is the one I would read next.

 

In my fashion dreams, she wears the Spiral Strap Tank Top with straight-leg denim and one simple shoe, then saves the Long Fringe Tank Top or White Feather Choker Tank for night. The Orchid Corset and Palm Tree T-shirt are the wildcards.

 

What I would skip: stacking the loudest print with the fussiest trim. These tops talk best when one idea gets the outfit to itself.

The dresses swing between full-length drama and short, graphic shapes. The Maxi Dress in Orchid Stripe mesh has a draped back and is intentionally sheer, so I would plan a slip before choosing the occasion. The Biba Dress is the simpler white direction, while the Orchid Mini Dress and Montague Mini Dress bring the shorter hem. The Palm Twist Back Mini Dress keeps its best idea behind you. I went deeper on a related idea in DAYDREAMER Graphic Tees: What to Know Before You Buy.

 

Picture her arriving at a late-summer dinner in the Palm Twist Back Mini Dress, with plain sandals and no competing print.

 

What I would skip is the Maxi Dress if you want something fully lined to throw on and go. The sheerness is the design, so it is better to know that before you get home.

This group shows how far the label can travel beyond dresses and tops. The White Twist Capri has a knotted split at the hem and is an easy match for a close-fitting tank. The Eyelet Bikini Top and Eyelet Bikini Bottom make a coordinated swim look, and I would choose the top for the support you actually want. The Capri in Anime Print and Playing Card Mini Skirt are Saunders's image-led side brought into an ordinary day.

 

The Rib Zip Knit and Eyelet Tracksuit Sweatpants keep it from feeling like a one-night wardrobe. Picture her packing the eyelet set for a pool day and throwing the Rib Zip Knit over it when the air cools.

 

My practical note: let one print carry the look instead of piling on every motif.

I like 1XBLUE most when the clothes have a little theatrical intent but can still be broken apart and worn in real life. Saunders went from scarf rework one-offs to printed dresses, swim and tops, and that gives the label a point of view without locking it into one silhouette.

 

I would start with the piece that makes you pause, then wear it with the jeans, shoes or simple skirt you already trust. If you want quiet basics, this is probably not your rack. Although I notice I keep going back to the Taxi T-shirt anyway.