There’s no doubt that having a versatile wardrobe is helpful. Owning items that can work in a multitude of ways means that there are always further options to explore. A few years ago, I was more concerned with what each piece in my wardrobe could do. Have I made an IG Reel on the seven ways to style a midi skirt? Yeah, I’m pretty sure I did back in 2018. But in reality, on a daily basis, I’m not hoisting a skirt up into a bandeau top. These days, I’m thinking about the versatility of how my pieces work together, not just the ways in which things can be tied, twisted and pinned, despite that sometimes being a useful tool.
I return to the same outfit bases again and again, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I know what works. I feel good in them! And it provides a shorthand for getting ready. Right now, it feels like there are five uniforms I keep returning to, and without realising it, they are all extremely versatile starting points. I can dial down the polish if needed, elevate it with jewellery, chill it out with a casual shoe, make it feel undone with styling, or keep it classic with a structured bag. Without noticing, you’re probably doing the same thing.
So here are the five looks I keep going back to and five ways I like to wear each one, giving you 25 ideas for what you could wear, well… today.
Right now, this is the base that I’m drawn to most - pulling either a white tee with soft cotton trousers or white denim, depending on the weather. I literally wore it yesterday. Sometimes the simplest idea is the best one. The black flats* ground the look and my vintage YSL bag adds personality (find a good alt here*)
An easy weekend look for chilled plans. I added my The Row-inspired Etsy dupe bag*, flip-flops* and my UNIQLO cardigan* around my waist. If I wanted to toughen it up a little, I’d swap the flip-flops for loafers.
Got a problem jacket? This base is a helpful starting point because it goes with (almost) everything. I’ve struggled with this By Malene Birger jacket* over the years, but the crewneck tee works well with its collarless neckline. A tote and loafers* add to the practicality.
Of course, the classic piece of advice to ‘layer a jumper over a crisp white T-shirt’ still comes into play here, and I LOVE the contrast of a heavy knit* with cotton poplin trousers. Worn here with suede loafers* (dupe*) and a burgundy tote (similar*).
I’m ALWAYS looking for ways to wear my leopard print jacket (long gone, but the brand is P.A.R.O.S.H if you’re ever trying to find it secondhand - alternatives here*, here* and here*). I balanced out the loudness with a simple tote and my black flats*.
And yes, because I’m a Canva FREAK, I made a graphic of all five outfits together. To me, this all feels so fresh.
T-SHIRT & JEANS
Because this is the outfit base that I probably wear the most, I wanted to push myself a bit here. I never reach for my blazers - like, ever - so I tried to make this secondhand Toteme one (similar here*) work for me, by keeping it relaxed with a woven bag (dupe*) and my comfiest flats*.
I have some good shirts in my wardrobe!! I’d like to reach for them more, so I’m trying to keep in mind that they can operate almost like a jacket in the spring. I’m wearing a COOR one here (sold out, but this looks similar*) with a Dragon Diffusion bag* and my Toteme flats* (again!). On reflection, I think this outfit would look even better with a bit more skin - perhaps pushing the shirt sleeve even further over my elbows, or wearing it with a vest instead.
I’m a sucker for a tee + jeans + trench + flip-flop look. It’s wrong shoe theory at its finest! Wearing my usual flip-flops* and St Agni bag* with my Rue Sophie trench* (ANNA15 for 15% off) and a tassel necklace that I bought off Vinted for a fiver. Again, this would work well (/maybe better) with a vest to balance out the skin on show.
I never wear my UNIQLO cardigan* open, but maybe I should? I think this look could do with a bit more skin - just the sleeves pushed up could do it. But I was trying to think of an outfit that I’d realistically wear for a play-date or drop-off, and this is something I could see myself reaching for repeatedly, just worn with a statement bag (sold out, but similar*) and suede loafers*.
Considering this is the base that I 100% wear most often, I bizarrely found it the hardest to style. Maybe it’s overexposure, and I just fancy something new? Maybe it’s that it’s quite slim-on-slim and I’m after a new silhouette right now? Or maybe it just doesn’t have as much built-in range as the others? Something to ponder.
GREY TOP & BROWN PULL-ON PANTS
Seeing as these J.Crew Luna Pants* are new to my wardrobe, I really wanted to play around and see where I could take them. My first thought? Layer on the brown, with this By Malene Birger jacket* and my The Row bag (dupe*), and then ground it with the black tassel necklace and black flats*. The result? I LOVED it.
Or maybe to go tonal and layer on the neutrals with this old Whistles jacket (your best bet is to find a secondhand one on eBay or Vinted), a tote and my black flats*. This all felt very Reva-coded to me. Dare I say, it was my favourite outfit from this whole post!?
The way to make the J.Crew trousers feel polished? Wear them with your fanciest coat. This one is from The Frankie Shop (I found it in a deep grey here*), and I wore it with my St Agni bag* to add in some warmth and my suede loafers* for texture.
I thought this base would be the hardest to style because it was new to me, but I actually enjoyed making these outfits the most. The colour palette feels strong, but so does the range. A pleasant surprise!
ALL-BLACK BASE
Sometimes I feel lazy but still want to feel fresh, and on those days I wear all white. Other times I feel lazy, but want to hide a little, and on those days I wear all black. Therefore, it just makes sense to throw on an unfussy pair of shoes and a statement bag (similar*). Loafers would work well here too.
My obvious choice here would be my Rue Sophie trench*, but I’ve been enjoying this navy vintage one too that I found on Vinted for a steal. It works well to soften the all-black look, as do the bag* and the loafers*.
Bouncy castle parties feature a lot in my calendar right now, and this is a look that I’d happily pull out for the next one. I love a jumper around the waist; I genuinely find that it keeps me warm and gives me the opportunity to add some contrast and texture to my look. Especially when the accessories - like the bag* and the shoes* - are so basic.
The P.A.R.O.S.H jacket strikes again!! Like I said, any excuse to pull it out! This is the kind of thing I’d wear out to dinner with friends or for a date night. So easy and the sort of outfit that slots in so you never feel too over or underdressed. The jacket is the outfit.
Ok, I’ll admit that by this point I was feeling a little out of juice - not my best work. I mean, this vintage MaxMara jacket, loafer, St Agni bag*, Dehanche belt* combo works, but I think it would be even better with a longer jacket.
A bit like jeans and a T-shirt, I found this one a little trickier than others to push and keep going. Perhaps it’s the simplicity I love with this one? A black tee, black jeans and not much more.
CHILL WFH BASE
I have to include this base because it’s become my cheat code for working from home days. An outfit that’s essentially pyjamas. But I often find myself needing to pop out to do the odd errand, and this is exactly what I add when I need to do that - a trench*, a big ol’ bag for groceries* and loafers*.
Say I don’t need the heavier layer of a trench, then I’d just tie something around my waist because I don’t love the look of jogging bottom butt on display, add a fancy shoe* and a bag* that’s either colourful or added some texture.
This is the exact look I wore to the cinema the other day, because who wants to sit in the theatre for two hours in JEANS!? NOT ME! For this look I treat the trousers as though they are white jeans, thinking what would I like to pair with them? In this case, my new jacket*, a burgundy tote (similar*) and brown mules*. There’s some good colour play happening here.
This outfit follows a similar formula and is one I repeat a lot when I’m wearing this base - chill base + personality jacket (this one is vintage Jaeger I found on Vinted) + tote + fancy shoes*.
And again, The Frankie Shop coat* comes out to play - it instantly elevates the outfit. The base is chill (and the tote is too), but the coat and the shoes (dupe*) put in the work here
Just like with the J.Crew Luna Pants* there feels like such a strong colour story here. The warm browns, tans and beiges with that slice of red. I’m INTO it.
Not that I’m suggesting you reserve a whole afternoon to create 25 outfits from your wardrobe because that’s MAD, but I will say that getting dressed has gotten a whole lot easier since I did this. Not only has it solidified those five bases in my mind as helpful starting points, but it’s also reminded me of the concepts that aid me every morning when I’m getting dressed. Those little tweaks, the additions of colour or textures, or the pieces in my wardrobe that instantly make the outfit.
And it does all work together, right? There are so many repeated items in this post, and that’s exactly what I’m talking about. Let’s get that cost-per-wear down, babbyyyy!
Did you take a screenshot or two? Feel like you’ve got something to wear today? Good. My work here is done.
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This is my love language ❤️
I love this! Can you do one with summer base uniform please?? (When we get there!)