To celebrate International Women's Day we caught up with our young founder Ellie Wales with a few of your questions that we recently asked YOU that you wanted to know from behind the scenes of growing a female run business. 
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What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in business so far?
My best advice so far has been to take on board criticism and always learn from it. You'll only ever learn from your mistakes!  
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Did you ever feel under pressure by anyone to succeed with Whale of a Time?
I put a lot of pressure on myself and have done from the very start as I want to see the brand succeed and be successful.
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As a female, what does it mean to you to see your brand grow so successfully year on year? 
I think as the world progresses, we're seeing many more female entrepreneurs and young ones at that too which is great! I feel incredibly lucky to be in the position that I'm in now and to have the support from our loyal customers who truly believe in Whale of a Time just as much as my team & I do.  
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Which challenges have you found the hardest to tackle potentially based on your age & gender in the industry?
Working with our manufacturers over the years has been the most challenging part as being young and also female, people in the industry never used to not take me seriously however fortunately that is starting to change.
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If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing before launching a brand, what would it be? 
Just to go for it, you'll never know unless you try! 
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What motivates you professionally?
The biggest thing that motivates me is I love being my own boss and proving to myself that I can achieve everything I set out too.
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Discover our full range of casual wear at www.whaleofatimeclothing.com

 What’s New?

Polzeath Women’s Polo – Designed with a flattering silhouette and breathable cotton pique, this polo is the ultimate blend of sporty and chic. Available in seasonal pastel tones combining mint, blush pink, and classic navy, it's perfect for pairing with our Signature white denim shorts, or our NEW Oban linen trousers.

 Portrush Men’s Polo

Clean, classic, and effortless. The Portrush Polo features refined details and a slightly tailored fit that works just as well at  the pub as it does at your summer BBQ. Style it with your go-to chino for a timeless smart-casual outfit.

Henley Long-Sleeved T-Shirt

Now in New Colours – Our ever-popular Henley returns with fresh pastel shades combing cornflower blue, washed mint, and Ecru. It’s the perfect layering piece for breezy evenings or cooler summer days.

Oban Linen Range – Shorts & Trousers

For the first time ever, we’re introducing a linen blend collection, and we’re obsessed. Lightweight, breathable, and undeniably stylish, the Oban Shorts and Oban Trousers come in Ecru with a soft blue trim detail. They’re incredibly versatile – dress them up with a polo or keep it relaxed with a tucked-in tee.

Colour Trends for 2025: Pastels Are In

Soft, sun-faded colours are everywhere this season – and we’ve embraced them across the SS25 collection. Pastels like mint green, blush pink, and sky blue are not only on-trend, they’re also flattering, easy to wear, and perfect for summer layering.

How to Style the Collection:

For Her: Pair the Polzeath Polo in pink with white jeans and espadrilles for effortless weekend chic. Add the Oban Shorts in stone and a tote for the perfect beach day look.

For Him: Style the Portrush Polo in navy with your go-to jeans or chino shorts, and boat shoes for a clean, polished look. Finish with our classic Quarter Zips for an essential layer when the sun goes down.