Today’s post combines two of my favourite 2023 trends that I’ll be continuing to reach for this year: the ballet flat and the colour red. This French style classic has been a staple in my wardrobe for close to two decades, though usually in a more traditional neutral. Adding in a loud burst of colour is a great way to add a sense of playfulness and vibrancy to a simple outfit. Below, you’ll find three ways to style red ballet flats, in line with a more minimalist or classic approach to dressing.
That said, you can take these three tips and apply them to your outfits, regardless of your own personal style.
A colourful accessory is such a simple way to add personality, but also acts as a complement when paired with analogous shades or in direct contrast with another bright hue.
The flats I’m wearing in each look below are from Margaux, in the “wide” sizing (a godsend if you have wide feet or bunions like me!). Will be sharing an in-depth review on these in the next week or so if you’re curious to see more ways to style them.
#1 | Worn with a monochromatic outfit
Here, the shoe shines. It’s the hero that our eyes are drawn to, as the pop of red punctuates an otherwise monochromatic outfit. Against all black it feels like a bit colour hit – you could also opt for any other neutral or head-to-toe colour (stick with one to get that contrast element!). This is my personal favourite as it really calls on playing up the vibrancy of the shoe choice, which comes across as exactly that. A very considered stylistic choice.
#2 | Worn with your favourite dress and a cute bag
Most of us tend to have a small handful of shoes that feel effortless. They become a go-to for most outfits and oftentimes are styles and colours that are the most versatile. Switching out a black ballerina for a red one is a simple style swap with high impact – and you will find that these work with more outfits than you’d think! A good trick is to opt for styles in complementary colours or dresses that have a touch of red in the print to create harmony and balance. This was essentially what I wore yesterday with the simple style swap of a perforated mini tote in place of the sculptural bucket bag.
#3 | As the finishing touch to a classic Parisienne look
Search “French girl style” and one of the key items you’ll see as part of any outfit is a chic ballerina flat (which BTW, this piece by Emmanuelle Maréchal is a great reflection on the myth of “quintessential French style”). I personally love how the cherry hue pops against the indigo denim, and worn with a blazer, there’s a touch of formality which is mirrored in the elegant choice of shoe. It gives you a nice balance of saturation and colour, and makes a vibrant coloured ballet flat feel approachable.
If you’ve been focused at all on trends for 2024, you’ll have noted that “girl-core” or just bows in general seem to be one of the central themes. Highlighting femininity, prettiness, playfulness, whimsy. And that little bow detail at the vamp of any good ballet flat to me feels representative of this. A great little tip if you are wanting to embrace that trend or wear a piece that feels like a subtle nod to it.
– Leonardo Da Vinci What’s one style “rule” that influences almost every outfit you wear? For me, it’s the ‘rule of three’. An outfit will feel “done” when it’s made up of three main components. You’ll have heard of this concept many times, referred to as the rule of thirds, or the golden ratio. Prevalent in all visual aspects of our lives, and commonly used in photography, the arts, and architecture.
It’s one of the reasons why summer dressing feels less than satisfying. There’s this sense that something is missing. Because when it’s 35 deg C and muggy, all you’ll be inclined to wear is a tank top and shorts. Maybe a simple cotton or linen dress. Basically, it can feel like a bit of a challenge to put together an outfit in that moment that makes you feel good (and also keeps you cool).
So here’s my summer uniform I keep returning to. The one I reach for – in any colour combination – when I want to feel chic and confident, but also don’t want to ruminate over what I’m wearing. A simple fitted tank, tucked into a wide leg/fluid drape trouser, with a wide strap flat sandal.
There’s visual balance here in the way that I’m showing off my arms, but keeping my legs concealed. The yin and yang of a tight tank top with loose pants. A waist defined by a belt (one with texture, tick!). And complete with a sandal that has some weight to it. Dainty sandals are nice, but don’t seem to complement this look quite so well. For those who wonder how to avoid dragging your pants on the ground, you can see here how I’ve tucked the back hem into my sandal. Some bangles on my wrist add to the sense that I’ve but at least some thought into my styling.
While I can’t help but feel that this outfit might be better served with that aforementioned “third piece”, there’s something to be said for the simplicity of pairing the tank solely with the trousers.
If it’s especially hot, I’ll usually swap out the trousers for a skirt. I find that you still get nice air flow with the longer length (a side split amplifies this!) ultimately feeling stifling than a pant, but more “styled” than shorts or a mini skirt.
I still remember the first perfume I ever purchased; Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf. I probably went through about four bottles before I decided it was time for something new. Not to say that I was a little tired of the scent – far from it – eight years on, and it still ranks as one of my favourite perfumes. Mostly, it was because it was almost impossible to go out with friends without finding that at least one other person was wearing the same fragrance. It started what has seemingly become the years long search for a new ‘signature scent’.
Since then, I’ve found it difficult to find a fragrance which is more than a passing fancy – you need to be more than sure when you’re committing to a whole bottle. The first is YSL’s Parisienne, which I picked up while browsing duty free on the way to Taiwan in 2011. It’s a little bit sexy and a little musky; and while I may have worn it religiously for day, it’s definitely more of an ‘evening out’ perfume. I tend to break this one out when I’m heading out for drinks or dinner with friends.
My third perfume, I picked up from Mecca, after careful deliberation over the Diptyque range. I think I went in on about four or five occasions, spritzing myself with a different perfume each time until I narrowed it down to DoSon. This to me smells of Spring time, with a sharp floral scent in tune with the budding blossoms of the season. And truthfully, I just couldn’t resist the crisp white packaging and bold black typography – it’s all very clean, and quintessentially French.
More recently, I decided to add a new fragrance to the mix, one that I hadn’t expected to like quite as much as I actually do; ‘Si’ by Georgio Armani. What drew me to this perfume was that Cate Blanchett was the face of it, more than anything else, and I’m so glad I tried it. Sitting somewhere on the spectrum between my YSL and Diptyque fragrances, Si is light, with notes of blackcurrant and musk. Out of all my perfumes, this has become my favourite for every day wear as it isn’t overpowering, and works just as well for day as it does for night.
It’s certainly a little more grown up than Flowerbomb, but I think I’ve finally found it; my new signature scent.
It’s been a hot minute since my last beauty update; and given that the end of the year is literally in plain sight, I thought I’d pull together a handful of new-“ish” products I’ve been using, and break down my thoughts. I thought it’d be a nice way to wrap things up before I share my best in beauty for the year.
For context, my skin tends to be relatively blemish-free, is oily/combination but dehydrated, and as I inch closer to my mid-thirties my concerns are focused around addressing dullness, pigmentation (hereditary), and fine lines/wrinkles. I favour dewy, natural looking makeup for complexion so I can have fun with the eyes and lips. And for my hair, it’s quite dry and thick; prone to frizziness and can get coarse if I don’t maintain it well.
SKINCARE
Glossier Futuredew Oil Serum Hybrid | This might technically be “skincare”, but I’ve been using the Glossier Futuredew more as a primer for makeup. And for me, that’s been working wonders. It’s an oil and serum hybrid, which initially rang alarm bells for me. Oils are generally on my to avoid list as I always, always, break out when I add it into my routine. The texture is more like a thick, gooey cream, and it works into the skin beautifully, leaving a luminous glow which creates the perfect canvas for makeup. This is the type of product I’d happily use on makeup-free days to make my skin look dewy and fresh. One I’ll be repurchasing again and again (via mail forwarding!).
Sunday Riley C.E.O Vit C Brightening Serum | Vitamin C is a pretty core part of my skincare routine. I use it morning and night, to add brightness to my complexion. A necessary step given my sleep is generally interrupted; so think of it as my skin saviour. Sunday Riley is a brand which has continued to impress me. Their skincare is highly effective, and I just really adore this product. Not only does it have a concentration of Vitamin C at 15%, but it also has glycolic acid (for gently exfoliating away dead skin cells), and hyaluronic acid (to plump up your complexion). Besides, you know a product like this is doing you good when a friend comments on how your complexion is glowing. More of that, please.
Antipodes Glow Ritual Vit C Serum | The other Vitamin C serum that I’ve been using is from Antipodes; another one of my most beloved brands. There’s very few products I’ve tried from them which haven’t worked out for me. I like to this of this as liquid gold. It’s formulated with Kakadu Plum, a fruit with the highest recorded concentration of Vitamin C. It has other star ingredients like Vinanza Grape and Kiwi, which both have a hydrating and brightening effect. I prefer to use this exclusively in the evening as I find it leaves a subtle gold glow to the face when applied. That said, it’s easily become one of my favourite products to use. My skin feels softer and looks brighter when this is part of my routine.
Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser | I’m not sure why, but whenever I see the word “gentle”, I always go in assuming that I’ll have to double cleanse. I wear pretty heavy duty eyeliner and eye makeup on a daily basis, so efficacy is really key for me; especially as by the end of the day, I’m pretty keen to run through my skincare routine as speedily as possible. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that this new cleanser from Biossance was not only gentle and soft on the skin, but actually did an excellent job of breaking down all my makeup. No second cleanse needed. It’s a gel formulation which foams up ever so slightly, but never feels like it’s stripping your skin of essential oils. Honestly, I’m impressed. I like this way more than their Elderberry Jelly Cleanser (which is nice, but a little too gentle for my needs).
Tarte Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost | Gel moisturisers are generally my hydrator of choice during the warmer months. Anything too heavy, and my skin will have a freak out. This Tarte gel moisturiser has been my go-to of late, and the fact that I’ve almost finished it up probably tells you all you need to know. It’s nice, and I enjoy using it. Though there are loads of other gel moisturisers out there that perform the same way, so I’d probably shop my stash over rushing out to replace this one. But if it did find its way back into my vanity, I also wouldn’t complain. It’s gentle and non-irritating, unscented and doesn’t flare up my dermatitis like some other products would. The gel formulation is cooling, and it doesn’t interfere with any makeup products I apply over the top of it. That said, if my skin is feeling severely dehydrated, this won’t quite cut it. Usually I’ll go in with some sort of mist on top if needed.
MAKEUP
Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation | I can be pretty fussy when it comes to base products. I want my skin to look like skin; a bit of dewiness, and redness covered. And I do love when my freckles peek through – it looks more natural. Clinique’s a brand I’ve used consistently over the years, their chubby sticks and Moisture Surge products sit up there with my favourites. So it’s disappointing to have to share that this latest foundation launch just wasn’t the one for me. I found at least on my skin, the way this settled – regardless of application and prep – was visible to my eye where other bases that I love aren’t. It also would break up slightly. So, it could be perhaps in response to my skincare routine. It has a matte, satin finish, and loads of skincare benefits. Which is part of the reason I’m so sad that this foundation didn’t work for me. Loaded up with hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and vitamin C, I can appreciate what a powerhouse staple this can be. My personal preferences aside, the colour range is phenomenal, and you’ll get full, buildable coverage with this one.
Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser | Part of the same family as the above foundation is this concealer. Skincare and makeup in one, this has Vitamin C (for brightening), caffeine, and hyaluronic acid (for hydrating). Again, this just wasn’t the one for me. I find the formulation a little too dry for my undereye area, despite it being quite thick; it tends to gather in my fine lines. Full coverage, and very brightening, I will use this in a pinch. The doe foot applicator is dual-ended with a sponge tip at the handle, though I find this a little stiff for using in such a delicate place. I prefer to pat this in with fingers or with a fluffy brush.
Glossier Solar Paint (in Ray) | Give me creams over powder face products any day. Bronzer in particular is one I like to use in cream format. While it typically isn’t as long-lasting as a powder, it meshes in with your complexion rather than sitting on top of it. Naturally, when I heard Glossier were releasing a cream bronzer, I was intrigued. And decided to throw it in with my order to give it a go. The colour is beautiful; it has this slight metallic quality to it when applied to the face (with a doe foot applicator – love this), which adds a bit of glow when buffed out. Overall, I really like this, but I do think you need to work at the blending to ensure it doesn’t look muddy. Especially on areas like the neck. ‘Ray’ is a good colour for me too; adds a nice sun kissed glow to the face.
Glossier Cloud Paint (in Beam and Dusk) | Hands down one of the best beauty products I’ve tried recently. I tend to be a creature of habit and don’t change much with my makeup routine, but these have been a firm favourite since they arrived. Personally, I prefer the shade ‘Dusk’, a very neutral brown nude, which I find works well pulled higher up on the cheeks, and on the high points of the face like a stereotypical bronzer. A little goes a long way with these blushes, so start off small as you can go overboard pretty quickly. I find that they have a slightly tacky quality on the skin, but don’t budge at all; probably one of the longest-lasting makeup products I currently have on rotation. If you try just one thing from Glossier, make it this.
HAIRCARE & BODYCARE
I should probably preface this final section by saying, after years of being a loyalist to one product, I’ve been mixing things up. I have three different shampoo/conditioner combos on the go; all of which I’m enjoying. For me, I notice some rather subtle changes to the texture and condition of my hair depending on which products I reach for.
Chloe Zara Hair – Silk Hair Wash, Silk Hair Condition & Silk Hair Balm | I thought it might be easiest to chat about these products as a trio. For me, the key thing I notice when using Chloe Zara Hair is that my hair feels silkier and is softer – less frizz (something I’m perpetually trying to combat). The formulation lathers up beautifully and doesn’t feel like it’s stripping my hair at all. The Silk Hair Balm in particular has become part of my regular haircare ritual. It’s designed to be used more as a treatment that’s rinsed out, but I like to use it as a leave in product. I run a walnut sized amount through my hair when it’s still damp, just before blowdrying. Love that it adds a lot of shine, and my hair just feels healthier.
Klorane Volume Shampoo & Conditioner | Klorane’s Dry Shampoo is probably one of my oft-used haircare products, along with their hydrating Mango Hair Mask. So when I got sent their Volume range, I was super curious to see how it’d work with my hair. And you know, I like it. I’ve been using this as part of my rotating trio of haircare products, and the thing I notice when I use them is that my hair is noticeably more voluminous. Perhaps a little more frizzy than with the Chloe Zara or Gisou products. The Dry Shampoo from this range is mega effective too – great for reviving limp hair in need of a wash. It’s the flax fibre which adds volume, without weighing down your hair. And a little goes a long way – it lathers up to a super rich foam with just a small amount.
Bumble and Bumble Bb Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray | Despite using this on and off for the past couple of months, my mind still isn’t quite made up on it yet. With haircare, my personal approach is not to go overboard. Like with makeup, I tend to think less is more. But I find when I use a “light” and with this texture spray, that it does… well… nothing. A small little bit of grit but no noticeable texture or volume. It’s when I go crazy and use 1/4 of the can that I see progress. And it’s then, that I actually love the impact. My hair has grit, it retains a curl, and stays voluminous, even on day 5. Which has me torn. On the one hand I really appreciate what this does for my hair when I’m liberal with application, but it’s a sure-fire way to burn through the product – I’d be buying a full-size bottle every 4 weeks at least. For me that’s just not practical. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for alternatives – recommendations welcome!
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Wash and Conditioner | This was a purchase that was definitely inspired by Instagram. At least, seeing so many people using the Gisou Hair Oil. I wasn’t in the market for an oil, but loved the concept of a honey infused shampoo and conditioner. Rich and nourishing were the two attributes which immediately came to mind. I’d say in terms of hair texture, softness and shine, this is on par with the Chloe Zara haircare. Oh, and as you’d expect, it smells positively heavenly.
Nécessaire The Body Oil | In place of a body lotion, I’ve been reaching for this absolutely lush body oil from my favourites, Necessaire. I’ll apply this as part of my “after shower” routine. It immediately sinks into the skin, and doesn’t leave it feeling greasy or sticky. And my god is it nourishing. I’ve never had especially dry legs, but usually will have to apply a moisturiser during the warmer months out of necessity. Definitely a had-to-have in my body care routine, and a stand out from the brand. I occasionally will get the odd patch of eczema on my legs, and haven’t had a single flare up since I started using this. One thing to highlight is that the dropper does leak so you’ll want to store this one upright. Also, it’s glass packaging; which in its own right feels very luxe. I’ve had a narrow miss where I dropped both the pipette and the glass jar on the floor. Thankfully wasn’t a casualty.
My approach to skincare has always been relaxed at best. Some mild exfoliator or soap to cleanse my face each morning, and the odd bit of moisturiser when it was deemed necessary. Minimal yes, but not enough to achieve that effortlessly flawless skin that I’ve so been craving.
After a couple of minor break outs due to alternating between skincare brands, I finally found myself delving into the world of beauty, devouring each and every recommendation, tip, and ‘secret’ that it had to offer. I’d heard good, no, great things about Grown Alchemist; and with the words 100% certified organic, I was hooked. Fast forward to early November, and in a somewhat serendipitously timed sale, I found myself purchasing a generous selection from Grown’s skincare range.
My experience so far has been overwhelmingly positive, as each morning I find myself enchanted by the soft soothing scents of rose, geranium and sweet summer berries. My skin has been left feeling smooth and silky, enhancing my natural disposition to believe that organic truly is best. And so, just like that, my skincare regime changed; for the better too.
I start my mornings by splashing some warm water on my face, gently rubbing the cleanser into my skin before rinsing it off; making sure to follow with some cool water on my skin (to close the pores). I follow up with a small amount of toner, and carefully dab a small amount of serum to my forehead and the corners of my eyes. Lastly, I rub moisturiser onto my face and neck in a soft, circular motion. Every third day, I exfoliate, and once a week, I use a skin masque to remove any impurities from my pores.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the longline vest is going to be one of the biggest trends for the season – either in a cotton/linen fabrication, or a suiting fabric. Think of it like the older sister to the waistcoat; a more demure silhouette with the modest high neckline. And the longer length feels a bit more flattering too, cutting off just below the hip. A fun way to play with proportions, and easily winterised if you opt for one in a more robust, flat fabric and add a slim knit underneath.
Whether you plan to jump on board this trend, I love that this one is surprisingly versatile. On paper, it reads refined. Elegant. Formal, even. Which can work in your favour if you want to work some friction into your outfit with a bit of “high-low” styling. So here are four ways you can style a longline vest – but you could easily imagine it with a full length trouser, tailored shorts, a slip skirt etc.
As part of a matching set
Starting with the most obvious: worn as part of a matching set. In this case, an almost maxi length skirt in the same, soft, loamy linen. You can see my reference here to elegance and refinement. No matter what way I cut it – worn with flats or heels – it has a tendency to look (and feel!) dressed up when worn as a set. That said, this takes the guesswork out of styling and clearly, they’re a total match made in heaven.
With a bright coloured mini
Playing around with an injection of colour here. But also, bringing up that hemline (considerably!). I actually think you could pull this off with any coloured mini. A punchy bright red immediately comes to mind as it’s one of the colours of the season. But, for a minimalist look, either white or black. Pale yellow will add less contrast. The key detail here being to focus on the length of the skirt. That neckline is really demure, so showing off a bit of leg feels balanced and not overtly sexy (especially not when paired with a flat sandal). I also like this colour combo. The fresh white, with that spearmint green, and tan slides.
With a straight leg jean
Leaning in on a minimal colour palette, but keeping things visually interesting with high contrast shades. This is definitely my favourite look of the four, and what I wore this week (inspiring this whole post!). This has contrasts from two perspectives. One being the most obvious visual of the colour palette. Light vs dark. It breaks up the outfit, though despite the longline nature of the vest, doesn’t read as unflattering due to the curved hemline. The second contrast is in the fabrication. The linen combined with the cut reads formal, whereas the jeans are more casual in nature (though darker washes are your best bet if you want to look more refined). Ballet flats lean in on that refinement and elegance I was craving.
Casually with a denim short
The final pairing I wanted to share leans in on that contrast of formal vs casual. But here it’s much more overt. These denim shorts cut off a little about mid thigh so plenty leg-baring (I actually think a Bermuda jean short would look great here!), but it’s the raw edged hem that adds to the chill factor. With the vest, I feel like I’ve put in a bit of effort, while still leaning on one of my favourite summer style staples. I’m not quite matching my shoes and my bag (bag is brown, shoes are burgundy), but you can see how I’ve essentially opted for tones of. They’re in a similar colour family hence the seamless feel of the two in combination. Also love that the bag adds in an intricate woven texture.
Temps have been hitting the high 20s and mid-30s since this time last month, so the warm weather wardrobe is out in full force. And there are a few non-negotiables for my spring/summer style staples that I’ve noticed I’ve leaned on heavily over the years. Knowing this data – whether your personal preferences align with mine or not – is really useful especially if you’re trying to maximise the wear count of what you own. AKA end up with less items that aren’t worn on frequent rotation. For me, the focus is heavily on ease of use. Practicality reigns supreme, as evidenced by my non-negotiables…
#1 | Natural fibres reign supreme
If it’s not breathable, chances are I won’t want to wear it. This is non-negotiable number 1, and usually my top priority when seeking out new styles for my spring/summer wardrobe. Growing up in Wellington, this wasn’t high on my checklist. It wasn’t unusual for me to sport my winter coat mid-summer; a side effect of living in a city with blustering gales that can turn icy on a southerly wind. But when you know the average temperature is going to hover around the 30 deg C mark, something that feels cool against the skin is a must. I tend to favour lighter fabrications too, for an airy feel. Cotton, linen, ramie, silk knits and tencel are usually my top picks. This linen suit (with cotton lining) being a great example.
#2 | Shoes must be comfortable
Life’s too short to wear uncomfortable shoes. And there’s nothing worse than getting a painful blister on a hot day. Feet swell, and any pinching or rubbing feels almost unbearable. Just not worth it. This one can be a little more difficult to judge on first impressions. As really, you have to wear the shoes to get a sense of any pain points they might have (though there’ll always be some where you just know). I’ve added a fair few pairs of sandals to my wardrobe recently in search of styles that fulfil a specific mood, and it’s been frustrating to realise that despite good first impressions both on quality and comfort, they’ve been lacking in the latter when worn for more than an hour.
#3 | Can it be easily laundered?
I bought a dress a few months’ ago, not quite realising just how delicate the fabrication was. A viscose-blend, naturally I assumed that I could handwash it at the very least. Not a chance. An unlucky spill at a restaurant saw me dropping it off at the drycleaner the same day, and fortunately, they could remove the stain. But I’ve not been so lucky in the past. And it reminded me how little patience I have for high maintenance clothing. It’s also one of the reasons why I tend to favour all black outfits. Two kids under the age of four means most of my neutrals are in the firing line from breakfast ’til bedtime. And as much as I want to just “wear the clothes”, the preservationist in me wants her favourite pieces to stay looking pristine.
Move over little black dress. The white maxi dress – an easy go-to piece – is fast becoming one of my most worn style staples for spring/summer. Putting a priority on effortless dressing, this is the ultimate one-and-done outfit that’ll keep you feeling cool, but also look elevated and chic.
Key details to look out for?
Fabric composition is important. Opt for natural fibres like cotton or linen (silk blends are also beautiful but can be more high maintenance).
Look for styles that have movement to them when walking; this will help to generate air flow and keep you cooler. Anything too fitted will feel uncomfortable and restrictive, especially as cotton and linen don’t have any stretch.
Make sure it is lined. While I’d still recommend wearing flesh-toned knickers, this gives you a little additional modesty (especially if you’re not up for wearing a semi-sheer dress!).
You’ll also want to take the care instructions into consideration too. If you’re anything like me, you will just attract grubby fingers or food spills the second you pop on something white, so being able to pop it in the washing machine at the end of the day will be a life saver (and, save you the cost of dry-cleaning).
How I’ll be styling the White Maxi Dress?
Keeping it simple, by leaning into a feminine mood with dainty sandals and a nude-peach or red lip. Adding in that “tomato girl” vibe with red beaded necklaces or a punchy mini bag. Using an oversized blazer or slouchy cardigan to offset this and add in some balance.
Or we could go with a chunky sandal a la Wrong Shoe Theory to get that friction into the outfit.
Basically, the dress is the hero of the outfit. It is the outfit. No need to complicate it.
White Maxi Dress Options
The one I’ve added to my wardrobe for the season is from DISSH; with a pretty square neckline, and a-line skirt. There’s not too much to it, minimal style personified, and I love it.
Now, more than ever before, I feel like we’re asking more from our wardrobes. For our closet to become less segmented, and more fluid. Which starts with work to weekend, and where our days cross into the evening. There’s a real joy in understanding how items will cross over into the different parts of your life, and it’s the key to smart shopping. It also allows you to become better acquainted with an item, which in turn opens up the possibilities for styling as you play around with your wardrobe. But back to the real point of today’s post; day to night dressing. Here are three tips to help you pull it off with ease.
ITEMS THAT LOOK ELEVATED BUT FEEL RELAXED
Tip one? Keep a lookout for clothing that might seem a little more dressed up. Perhaps it’s the cut that feels refined, but it’s in a fabrication that we’d usually be lounging in. What you’ll find is that deeper, “classic” neutrals are the easiest way to pull this off as they instantly read dressier. Black in particular tends to have more of a formal energy. This dress from Quince is a great example. It’s literally a ribbed modal piece. Stretchy and like wearing nothing at all, the cut is what makes it special. It’s slinky, with spaghetti thin straps, hugging the curves with a bit of a fishtail effect towards the hem. That sort of fishtail skirt is a style generally reserved for more formal events.
OPT FOR ACCESSORIES THAT DO DOUBLE DUTY
By this I mean, a bag that can be dressed up or dressed down. Shoes which are actually comfortable to walk in, but in a refined shape or with some height. While the example above shows a bag swap, you can easily imagine how the cosy, dressed down version would look with the black quilted bag. It would just be another rich texture added into the mix, rather than an accessorised, statement moment. Finding the right shoes is really the tricky part; I find something with just enough height (low to medium profile) with a chunky heel works best. Reason being that despite their more dressed up appearance, they won’t give you grief all day. Also think about the shape of the shoe too. If you want to go for something dorky or off-beat, you’ll need to amp things up elsewhere. Which could be as simple as packing some loud accessories in your bag, swiping on a fun coloured lip, or popping your hair up in a sleek bun.
CAREFULLY CONSIDER YOUR LAYERS
Styling is everything. You can see here the easy switch to take this outfit from day to night is the slouchy sweater. For day, it adds a much needed visual layer of chill. The oversized proportions counterbalance the Jessica Rabbit-esque silhouette of the dress, keeping the overly sculpted shape concealed. A blazer – fitted or relaxed – would add a tailored element to the styling. A leather jacket, an edgy feeling. And how do those components work with (or against) the accessories you’ve chosen? It can seem a little bit like fashion maths, but sometimes it’s a matter of just finding the right pieces in your closet that are conceptually fluid enough to communicate this subtext of daywear vs evening wear.
There’s been a lot of discourse recently around seasonal colour analysis aka the best colours for you. Confidence in what we’re wearing comes from a few sources; it can be in part attributed to beauty components, like how we’ve styled our hair, or how our makeup turned out. Or, a result of discovering your perfect pairing of items in your closet to emphasise your best features. And it can be driven by wearing colours that make our complexion look bright and our eyes shine. But there’s also a difference between the colours that were made for you, and the colours you feel best in. So instead of focusing on best colours, today we’re going to talk through one very simple way to add colour to your wardrobe.
When we think about colour, there are three components: hue, saturation, and value. Hue relates to the colour itself – where it sits on the spectrum. Saturation or “chroma”, relates to how intense or brilliant the colour is. Finally, we have value, which refers to how light or dark the colour is.
So my simple way to add in colour to your wardrobe? Start with items that are desaturated. Especially if you are either rebuilding, or curating your closet, it can feel a little intimidating to go for loud, punchy options if your wardrobe is packed with neutrals. That sudden intensity of colour can feel jarring and unapproachable.
Clearly not a guide for finding your best colour, but it is a gentle approach to branch out from a basic colour palette. The main thing to understand is the undertone. If your complexion has more of a pink undertone, you’re going to look better in cooler colours. If your complexion has more of a yellow undertone, warmer shades will suit you better. Where it gets tricky is if you have olive skin, meaning that there’s a green undertone with less redness to your complexion – this can pull warm or cool so colours that sit closer to the centre of the spectrum (ie. slightly warm or slightly cool) are likely to look best on you. It goes without saying that there is so much more nuance to this, and my general feeling is that we should wear the colours that we feel best in rather than ultimately be guided by the colours we’re told we look best in. But that all comes down to experimentation, and a lot of trial and error over time.
You can see this in action in the outfit above. Grounded against neutral base colours, I’ve added in a desaturated agave green sweater. This has a slightly grey quality to it, which is enhanced in this outfit because as it’s been paired with muted grey hues. Worn with a soft cream, that green streak tends to have a bit more prominence. What is great about desaturated colours is that they help you to shift away from a stark contrast of black vs white, while acting as an easy neutral against more deeply saturated shades.
Have you been thinking about adding some colour to your closet?
