Reasons why Essentials are essential!

Hello beautiful people,

So in April I talked about the essential items in my wardrobe on Instagram and How I spice them up!

I have chosen 9 essential items in my wardrobe ( a white boyfriend jeans, a white shirt, a denim shirt, a denim jacket, a navy blue jersey, a navy blazer and my 3 jeans: boy friend, wide legged cropped, and slim fit) and my challenge was to get 21 outfits ( I swear I could have found another 36 !)  without wearing any of these essentials together.

My reasoning behind this is that we all have a tendency to wear what we think is safe and easy..

So for example, we would wear jeans with a white shirt and a navy jersey, but I find it quite boring and very predictable, so I hope these different combinations will inspire you to put your creative hat on and get more out of the essential items in your wardrobe.

Item 1: White jeans

There is this preconceived idea that white jeans are only for Golfing, going on a cruise or just holidaying …well at the moment, as we can’t do any of these things, we better find some use for our white jeans!

Outfit 1

A stripy blazer and a white t-shirt as it gives me the confidence I need for a work meeting without being too classic.

Style tip:  Wearing leather sneakers or brogues.

Outfit 2

A bold patterned shirt for a high contrast in colours but still with some white in the shirt pattern.

Style Tip: Consider wearing silk scarves as belts.

Outfit 3

A short-cut blazer (above hips) and small heels (or not) for a smart look, perfect for an evening out.

 Style Tip: Brooches are your best friends when you wear blazers.

Item 2: A white long sleeve shirt

A white shirt  is the symbol of chic and classic style, but I like to bring some contrast in colours when I wear mine.

Outfit 1

A black skirt, but I always add of pop of colour, here with my leather coral belt and my long earrings in the same tone.

 Style tip: If you wear a cotton shirt, your skirt has to be in an heavier fabric like wool, tweed, denim.

If you wear a silk shirt, then you can go for a more flowy material like silk, satin or viscose.

Outfit 2

My 2 tone outfit Layering creams and darker beiges.

But, I am sure that you know me now and you know I like to add a pop of colour with a bold necklace and some funky shoes.

Style tip: If you go for the minimalist monochrome look, make sure it suits your complexion otherwise you might fade away!

Outfit 3

Pair it with a mustard chino and a sleeveless jersey for a more masculine look.

 Style tip: To clash with the masculine look, add a statement piece around your neck .

Item 3: A denim shirt

When I was younger, I wore a lot of denim shirts, they were all the same but all different, so I now only have one and in a much lighter denim fabric. I like the loose fit as I can wear it under a jersey or over a t-shirt, jumpsuit or a dress.

Outfit 1

Perfect combination with some Corduroy pants.

Style tip: Think about swapping your regular leather belt for a silk scarf and add a necklace to break the masculine look.

Outfit 2

Tucked in a mini skirt as I love the contrast between relaxed style and smart, as it allows me to wear it during the day.

Style tip: When you dress down a smart skirt with a relaxed top, always match the style of shoes to your top. So let go of the heels if you can!

Outfit 3

Over a dress and belted.

 Style Tip: Invest in a nice thick belt if you go for this option.

Item 4: Denim Jacket

I am sure we all have worn a denim jacket in our lives.

For me, I went through phases, from full total denim look outfit to contrast a full black outfit with a denim jacket.

Nowadays, I tend to wear it often with maxi dresses.

Outfit 1

Smart wide-legged black trousers with a patterned shirt.

Style Tip: Have a look at the smart item of clothing in your wardrobe and check if you can dress them down with your denim jacket.

Outfit 2

A white maxi dress for a more casual look, but always with contrasting accessories

 Style tip: White shoes (sneakers, brogues or pumps) are always a great option when you wear a white maxi dress.

Outfit 3

My quirky preloved find, this skirt made with ties. There the denim jacket just cools the outfit off and makes this skirt more wearable on a daily basis.

Item 5 : Navy jumper

I love this jumper but again if I wear it with jeans and a white shirt, it can look very plain and too strict for me.

Outfit 1

Paisley-patterned trousers and a checkered shirt, timeless combination of blue and white with a twist!

 Style tip: When mixing patterns try to stick to same hues in colours.

I wouldn’t mix a bright cool blue with a light warm blue for example..

Outfit 2

A khaki jumpsuit for a more classic look. Add a scarf to funk it up and stay cozy at the same time.

Style tip: Scarves are you best-friends and they enhance the colour combination of your outfit.

Outfit 3

A bold patterned shirt and coloured jeans! Bright and Bold!

I love it!

Style tip: If you opt-in for a combination like this one, make sure your shoes are the same colour than your trousers otherwise it might just be too OTT ( over the Top ;)!

Item 6: Navy blazer

I know that Navy blazer sound boring but it is such an essential item to my wardrobe!

Outfit 1

With 2 square silk scarves worn as a top (all you need is 2 knots and a belt), navy trousers and heels for a smart dinner date.

I probably wouldn’t wear this top on its own, as I would feel overexposed but for some reasons this blue blazer makes me feel safe!!

 Style Tip: The blue blazer here tones down the extravagance..

Outfit 2

Yellow cropped trousers and a patterned shirt navy blue and yellow.

Style tip: When I go for a big colour contrast like this one, I always try to have a top with the 2 contrasting colours to blend it in a bit. And don’t forget the earrings!

Outfit 3

Casual combination of a men shirt and slack pants with sneakers.

Style tip: Adding the blazer in this combination makes you look relaxed yet professional.

Ready for an informal work meeting.

Item 7/8/9: My jeans

Outfit 1

I wear my cropped wide-legged jeans with a blazer and a shirt tucked in as it is high-waisted. The high waist counter balances the cropped legs of the jeans and still makes a beautiful silhouette.

Outfit 2

My boyfriend jeans are my weekend go to and I usually wear it with my cashmere jumpers ( I say cashmere, because I am a believer in quality over quantity, and Life is short!)

 Style tip: think about belting your jeans with a tie or a scarf.

Outfit 3

My slim fit jeans I often wear with a boxier, bulkier top for a different silhouette.

But here, i added a well-fitted blazer on top to minimise the bulky look and enhance the waist.

Style tip: If you go for a boxy top, remember than they should sit above the widest part of your hips, otherwise it will make you look bulkier than you are, especially if your body shape is triangular like me.

I really hope this article and my style tips will give you new ideas and will help you create new outfits with the essentials you already have in your wardrobe.

Have fun in the process and If you need guidance, get in touch!

Your in Style

Hm xx