CLOSET HEROES 16 PAGE
Re-evaluate your wardrobe
The practical parka
Raincoats, pac-a-macs, anoraks... water-resistant cover-ups are no longer just for downpours; they’re so cool, you’ll want to wear them on dry days, too. Make your uber-practical parka part of your weekday wardrobe by mastering high/low styling: rework your casual coat with an unexpected dressy item, such as a silky statement skirt or floaty frock. Go on, give your raincoat a surprise!
The comfy tracksuit
Bored of wearing your WFH tracksuit day in, day out? Liven things up and get your wardrobe buzz back. Pushed-back sleeves, a peek of a white long-sleeve T-shirt, and chunky on-trend sandals will lift the tracksuit to a whole new level. Heading to the supermarket? The sharpness of a blazer will bring just the right amount of polish to the relaxed vibe of the tracksuit. This is dressing for the new normal.
Blazer, £150, 6-16, Me+em. Hoodie; joggers, both £169, xs-xl, The White Company. Top, £8.50, 8-26, Tu at Sainsbury’s. Sandals, £70, 3-9, Teva
The jumper dress
Dial up your daywear and add a little bit of magic to your everyday knitted dress. Not sure what to wear it with? Thanks to its ever-so-slightly body-skimming silhouette, the jumper dress works well layered over trousers. Get creative, play around with lengths, and those beloved basics will instantly transform into not-so-basic outfits.
Jumper dress, £120, xs-l, Celtic & Co. Rollneck, £9.50, 6-24, Marks & Spencer. Trousers, £85, 6-16, French Connection. Bag, £69, Marks & Spencer. Sandals, £85, 3-8, Dune London
The black trousers
Having one of those ‘I have nothing to wear days’? A pair of chic black trousers will always be a sartorial trump card. Simple and stylish, they’re right for every occasion. But how do you take basic black trousers from mediocre to modern? Mix with all your other hardworking heroes, such as a slim-fit rollneck, white shirt and camel coat. It’s a masterclass in minimalism.
The easy all in one
If fashion and function are high on your list, a pair of denim dungarees, a utility onesie or a beloved boiler suit will almost certainly be hanging in your wardrobe. But if, during lockdown, you’ve lost your fashion mojo, rediscover the joy of the pull-on-and-go jumpsuit by layering contrasting smart white shirts, graphic Bretons or crisp shirts underneath. Pair with a glossy puffa and sporty sandals and you’ll transform this relaxed one-piece into desirable daywear.
Coat, £129.95, xxs-xxl, Gap. Jumpsuit, £250, 4-14, Me+em. Shirt, £15, 6-24, Marks & Spencer. Sandals, £30, 6-12, Teva
The denim jacket
As one of the unsung staples of any great wardrobe, the humble jean jacket rarely gets its due. However, if you’re looking to shake up your style, grab yours for endless wearability! For an everyday outfit with a difference, take your cue from Max Mara and team with chic camel tones. Alternatively, wear under a luxe longline cardie or drape over your shoulders, as you would a smart blazer, to give this iconic boxy blue jacket an elegant spin.
Coatigan, £129, xs-xl, Hobbs. Denim jacket, £39, 10-28, Damart. Joggers, £69, xs-xl, The White Company. Sandals, £85, 3-8, Dune London [continued over page]
The essential trench
Your timeless trench in need of an update? If in doubt, add a hood! A hooded lightweight puffa or relaxed hoodie worn under outerwear is big news right now. Styling a jacket with another jacket might sound like a questionable move, but trust us, it’s a sure-fire way to create a directional outfit, just remember to let the hood peek out. There’s nothing it won’t make look seriously cool!
Trench coat, £220, 8-18, Mother of Pearl at John Lewis & Partners. Puffa coat, £49, 10-26, Cotton Traders. Dress, £89, 8-18, And/or at John Lewis & Partners. T-shirt, £12.95, xxs-xxl, Gap. Boots, £225, 3-9, Russell & Bromley
The White shirt
On its own, the crisp white shirt is like a blank canvas, but it’s what you do with it that’s the game-changer. Forget its workwear connotations and treat it like your favourite white T-shirt. Whether it’s dressing down glitzy trousers or smartening up a much-loved wool skirt and quilted jacket, it’s an outfit-transformer with seasonless style powers like no other staple.
Jacket, £149, 8-18, Barbour x Laura Ashley. Shirt, £7, 8-20, Matalan. Skirt, £125, xxxs-l, Iris & Ink at The Outnet. Sandals, £149, 2-8, Kurt Geiger [continued over page]
The classic Breton
So simple and so chic, a navy and white striped top is one of fashion’s ultimate failsafes. But if you fancy giving an old favourite a new look, learn to love layering. Artfully piling on the layers is a trusty trick that will up the ante on just about any outfit. Effortless and luxe, multiple textures in complementary neutral tones is your chic-cheat way to a winning combination. The more layers, the better!
Coat, £275, s-xxl, Gant. Jacket, £89.95, xs-xl, United Colors of Benetton. Breton top, £26, 10-22, Cotton Traders. Trousers, £85, 6-22, Boden. Trainers, £90, 2-13, Veja