I AM a woman who is always on the go and there are pieces that I find myself going back to pretty much every day.
For instance, going for a meeting would mean a combination of midi skirt, fancy heels and chic top. While I’m in action in #MinLunaOnSet, I choose easy-to-move-in ensembles - trusted sandals, culottes and basic top. I will also throw on a cool jacket to jazz up my look.
Sometimes, especially when I’m meeting difficult clients to whom the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” doesn’t apply, I dress to the nines to show them that “Hey, this is my forte, please trust me.”
We have to come up with at least 365 outfits every single year, even more if you count special occasions’ outfit. This means, regardless of our styling skills, we’re bound to require a handful of fashion pieces we can always turn to and feel instantly great in.
That’s where the outfit formula enters the scene. I want to help women identify their staples, whether it’s a suit or a midi A-line skirt that looks great with almost every top you own.
These are things that you can find, mix and match from your closet. Knowing which combination works best on you will save you tonnes of precious time and money.
Whether you embody Kate Bosworth’s casual cool-girl style or channel Victoria Beckham’s polished working-girl wardrobe, even the most fashionable A-listers have their foolproof go-to outfit combos.
As a result, they not only look effortlessly chic but also minimise the amount of time and effort to get ready. When you’re perplexed by what to wear or buy, you can always count on this stylish formula for a stellar results.
If you’ve already invested in wardrobe staples you love (striped tee, blue jeans, tailored trousers), then all you need to do is a little fashion math - no xy equation required. I rounded up 10 timeless combinations for you that are sure to serve you well in times of need.
TURTLENECK AND SKIRT
No matter the price, a black turtleneck looks insanely sleek with anything. Pair it with a fun, striped fringe skirt for a refined result that’s easy on the eyes.
Simple outfits look elevated with unusual accessories. Adding in extra layers like a cool structured bandeau is a great way to add dimension to your look. Proportion play, anyone?
PRINTED BUTTON-DOWN SHIRT, BLACK DRESS AND PLATFORM SANDALS
This cool combo strikes the perfect balance between casual and dressy. Playful colour or print combination will always turn heads. The more prints, the better. Just keep them in the same colour family. Plus, it’s incredibly flattering and you can accessorise it with just about anything!
CRISP BUTTON-DOWN, BOYFRIEND JEANS AND STATEMENT HEELS
It doesn’t get much more classic than a crisp shirt and denim, for those workweek mornings when you need a quick, spotless outfit you can rely on.
Go the Olivia Palermo route and team the two with some statement heels. A vibrant purse in a coordinated hue makes the look less serious.
ALL WHITE OUTFIT
And what could be better than this? This easy covetable It-girl outfit formula has been worn many ways by countless style stars. Proven to always appear luxe and on point, the key to doing it so successfully is relying on the combination of certain silhouettes and style for an instantly chic result.
DARK DENIM AND FANCY FOOTWEAR
A dark-wash jean is an easy way to appear polished in denim. A colourful or bold pair of mules or ankle boots inject a little vibrancy into your look. Imagine a Kate Moss off-duty vibe that can be carried effortlessly from day up till night.
BOLD JACKET AND HIGH BOOTS
Dressing in the routine combo of top and bottom can be tiring. Sometimes, I like to extend the possibility of my short jacket, whether it’s bright, printed or embellished, but it must end above your knee.
Shake up any drab, dark monochrome looks with electric shades. Spice up the look with sock boots to streamline your shape while adding edge to the whole outfit. Or you can opt for ankle socks and ankle boots. They look cute together when paired with lots of leg.
POPLIN SHIRT
AND DRESS
A classic poplin shirt never goes out of style, especially when layered under a midi frock. It’s a great duo that can easily be worn from desk to dinner. Wear it with some statement earrings and you will receive heaps of compliments from your styling combination.
ARMY JACKET, T-SHIRT AND JEANS
I can’t envision a time when a classic military-inspired jacket is out of fashion. The shoulder drape is a totally acceptable way of wearing the jacket.
Furthermore, when teamed with your tongue-in-cheek tees and jeans, this travelling essential is bound to be an instant success. If you’re feeling frumpy, throw on a pair of heels to polish things up. A printed neck scarf adds a feminine flair to the oversized silhouette.
LEATHER JACKET, BLOUSE AND TROUSERS
The balance between masculinity and femininity is one of my favourite themes to play with when it comes to dressing. Accomplish this look by pairing your leather jacket and trousers with a feminine blouse.
With the rise of both sporty styles and decidedly feminine pieces, it is inevitable that the two would come together to create “femleisure”, the cool and chic hybrid of these major players.
MONOCHROME SUITING
A monochrome suit rendered in a rich, punchy hue never fails to look elevated. Try this season’s it colour in matching jacket-and-pant for a decidedly fresh result.
Finding a trusted tailor in your neighbourhood is a crucial and often overlooked priority. Getting your ill-fitting, too-long garment adjusted and abbreviated to fit your body perfectly makes a world of difference.
You’ll end up donning your beloved pieces a lot more and they’ll appear more expensive. Give your grey pantsuit a break. Instead, opt for a head-turning version in power pink.