Nothing to wear? No problem.
If you change your outfit a billion times before leaving the house and your wardrobe often takes shape on the floor (or chairs/desks/anywhere other than on your body or in your closet), it’s time to rethink what you’re buying and consider having a quick cull. Less really is more!
When I shop online I plan at least two outfits in my head before I even consider hitting that ‘BUY NOW’ button. Start well/end well, right?
I stick to timeless colours like black & white (they go with everything!), darker shades of denim (easier to dress-up) and I like to add pops of red (lipstick, nails or shoes) because that’s what all my favourite fashion-girls do. It’s small touches like this or cute accessories that give an easy, everyday outfit a cool and unique edge.
The older we get, the less time we have and frankly, “adulthood is responsibility” (thanks Grey’s Anatomy). Luckily for you (and me!), part of my job is to scour the internet for outfits.
Below are 7 fail-safe looks that you can rely on to go with your existing wardrobe, plus a spurge & save option for each. Whatever your budget – I’ve got your back!
STRIPES & SNEAKERS
This outfit will take you from work to weekend and beyond. Let your inner French-girl out to play with this timeless striped shirt. Wear it with suit-trousers, jeans or a black skirt (all pieces you’re bound to own already). Styling sneakers with formal skirts is a street style trick that makes evening attire suitable for the day (whether you’re at the office or a Sunday brunch!
SPLURGE $$$
STRIPED SHIRT, TORY BURCH | MIDI SKIRT, GANNI | SNEAKERS, GOLDEN GOOSE | HANDBAG, MANSUR GAVRIEL
SAVE $
STRIPED SHIRT, ASOS WHITE | MIDI SKIRT, NASTY GAL | SNEAKERS, ADIDAS | HANDBAG, JEAN LOUIS SCHERRER
BEACH TO BAR AND BEYOND
If your office isn’t corporate, you could definitely get away with this outfit in the summer. If you want to show a little less skin, layer the slip dress over a t-shirt. Alternatively, this is an ideal day-to-night, summer look. Pop a bikini underneath and you’re good to hit the beach. Just swap out the slides for a block heel and you’re ready to commit murder on the dance floor! A statement bag is always worth the investment; it will single-handedly reinvigorate any boring outfit.
SPLURGE $$$
SLIP DRESS, VINCE | SLIDES, ANCIENT GREEK | HANDBAG, LOUIS VUITTON
SAVE $
SLIP DRESS, NEED SUPPLY | SLIDES, ASOS | HANDBAG, ASOS
PARISIAN UNIFORM
Every closet needs reliable staples like a white collared shirt. It instantly lets the world know you’ve got your sh*t together and is the ultimate smart/caj piece, whether styled with denim or a suit. Black sock boots are flattering and will be your go-to shoes, as I cannot for the life of me think of any outfit you couldn’t wear them with. Bright nails are a great way to bring colour to an outfit, particularly if you’re generally more at home in monochrome.
SPLURGE $$$
WHITE SHIRT, EMMA WILLIS | DARK DENIM JEANS, FRAME | SOCK BOOTS, PRADA | RED NAIL POLISH, GUCCI
SAVE $
WHITE SHIRT, ARKET | DARK DENIM JEANS, MANGO | SOCK BOOTS, ASOS | RED NAIL POLISH, RIMMEL
SEÑORITA
Blouses look so damn good with espadrille wedges – all the ‘It’ girls do it, so let’s roll with it. Stick to black or white (you’ll wear them more often) and let the puff sleeves or ruffles do the talking. These Fiorucci jeans are iconic; you’ll never get sick of them and they’ll hold their worth (should you wish to sell them on one day). The famous angel patch is a cute touch that’s an accessory in itself, making these the go-to jeans if you want to spice up a bland outfit.
SPLURGE $$$
BLOUSE, PROENZA SCHOULER | JEANS, FIORUCCI | ESPADRILLES, CASTANER | BASKET, CLARE V.
SAVE $
BLOUSE, GANNI | JEANS, & OTHER STORIES | ESPADRILLES, NASTY GAL | BASKET, ASOS
WHAT’S COOLER THAN BEING COOL? UMM… BEING WARM 😉
Puffer jackets are everywhere and opting for a style like this will keep you a) warm and b) looking chic. There’s nothing Michelin man about Moncler. Kick flare or wide leg black pants are more cool than corporate (but can still be corporate if you so wish!), and as far as I’m concerned, every woman should own red shoes – c’mon, they’re timeless. Need proof? Check all the movies about them.
SPLURGE $$$
PUFFER JACKET, MONCLER | BLACK TROUSERS, 3.1 PHILLIP LIM | RED SHOES, MARTINIANO | GOLD EARRINGS, LAURA LOMBARDI
SAVE $
PUFFER JACKET, HUNTER | BLACK TROUSERS, & OTHER STORIES | RED SHOES, HOGL | GOLD EARRINGS, ASOS
BACK IN BLACK
A blazer dress is versatile as it can be worn in multiple ways for every occasion. Choosing a dress with gold hardware will toughen up your look and also keep things chic. Double-breasted anything is flattering but also looks expensive (and doesn’t have to be!) Black outfits + high boots = bringing sexy back. Invest in cowboy boots or 60s style flat boots; they’re classic, versatile and more comfortable.
SPLURGE $$$
BLAZER DRESS, BALMAIN | COWBOY BOOTS, GANNI | HANDBAG, LOEWE
SAVE $
BLAZER DRESS, FARROW | HIGH BOOTS, & OTHER STORIES | HANDBAG, MANGO
KNITWEAR & CHILL
Personally, I used to find knitwear tricky as I think it often gives me a flu-patient-in-recovery/that time of the month look, probably because I live in denim (jeans + jumper = not that chic). The discovery that a coloured knit actually elevates an outfit was game-changing, particularly given the weather’s constant identity crisis. White boots are ‘hot right now’ and make a statement (without being too statement) – def to be tried with your everyday tee/jeans combo.
SPLURGE $$$
KNIT, ROSETTA GETTY | JEANS, RAEY | WHITE BOOTS, BY FAR | HANDBAG, A.P.C
SAVE $
KNIT, VERO MODA | JEANS, BAUKJEN | WHITE BOOTS, M.N.G | HANDBAG, JACQUEMUS
What are your go-to outfits when you have nothing to wear? Let us know in the comments!