Switched-up style staples

Words: Cayleigh Bright | Photography: Nick Gordon| Styling: Mira Leibowitz | Design: Sabrina Scott

You already know that you need a white tee, a LBD and a killer pair of jeans. Now it’s time to switch up your style a little with a new set of staples that you’ll wear time and time again, in every combination. 

You know and love: your black skinnies.

It’s time to try: the jumpsuit!

If you’re looking for a shortcut to elegant dressing, you can’t go wrong with a jumpsuit. Slick, 70s-inspired style goes from day to night pretty effortlessly when you add heels and a sports-inspired jacket for an added edge.

You know and love: sports luxe.

Stay ahead of the game with: the bomber!

Athleisure is a trend that keeps on winning, but think a little further than simply wearing sneakers with a dress and calling it “sports luxe”. Athletic-inspired details are everywhere right now, so your new favourite jacket is going to have a baseball collar.

 

You know and love: strappy tops tucked in to your favourite shorts.

Shape up with: the bodysuit!

You could say that the bodysuit is on-trend, but you’re probably not going to be wearing it for that reason. The thing is, no-one knows when you’ve got one on – all that they’ll notice is a sleeker silhouette. You’ll notice that you don’t have to constantly tuck in a top that keeps escaping from your pants or skirt.

You know and love: your formal jacket.

Shine on with: the better blazer!

You know by now that a blazer is your best bet when it comes to elevating an outfit’s elegance, but the usual tailored, black and blue options can look a little stuffy for a night out. Enter fresh fabrics: embellished, shiny and usually slouchy, new-school blazers are ready to party – and you’ll probably love yours enough to incorporate them into bold daytime looks, too.

You know and love: high-waisted pants.

Broaden your horizons with: the wide-legged trousers!

Along with some questionable trends that should be relegated to the costume party pile whenever possible, the 60s and 70s provided us with a few pieces that don’t get the credit they deserve. Wide-legged trousers give any look a healthy dose of drama, while being extremely easy to wear. Just keep the top half of your look cropped, tight, tucked-in or tailored.

You know and love: your ankle boots.

Reach new heights with: the mule!

Whether you buy yours in bold colour or classic black, the season’s most versatile shoe shape is the pointed, backless mule. It’s an office staple with edge, but it’s also ready for an elegant evening out – and to kick it on the dance floor.

You know and love: your dungarees (don’t you?).

It’s time to play with: the pinafore!

Playful and pretty – with an attitude – the pinafore is ready to give an update to any one of your favourite tops. The retro footwear to complete the look? Clogs or chunky heels.

You know and love: your chunky poloneck sweater.

Get fresh with a lighter, boxy version of: the poloneck!

Pair it with high-waisted pants, a pencil skirt, or our personal favourite, the pinafore. With its boxy silhouette and wear-with-anything versatility, the modern poloneck just got a lot more appealing.

You know and love: your oversized shirt with shorts.

Keep it simple with: the shirt dress!

Is it a shirt? Is it a dress? Do you wear it to the office or chilled days off? The answer to just about everything about the shirt dress is “Both”, or better yet “You don’t have to choose”. If the question is “Does it suit my shape?”, the answer is “Yes”.

You know and love: your go-everywhere white tee.

Button up, it’s: the denim shirt!

Is there anywhere that you can’t take the humble denim shirt? Pair it with denim shorts or jeans for a double denim look, wear it under a jacket for an updated workwear look or knot it around your waist if you’re after a more defined silhouette on a laid-back look.

You know and love: your favourite flats.

Step your style up with: the white sneaker!

Sneakers became a new wardrobe staple a few seasons back, but the freshest way to wear them is undoubtedly in white. Keep it simple and pair them up with every outfit from casual daywear to cool evening-out ensembles.