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Words: Akim Jardine + Chris Viljoen

Just yesterday while spending too much time on Instagram (again), you saw someone who looked like a vision of snuggly, cosy comfort in a huge, chunky-knit jersey. Today is the day you decide to try it out, too, except it doesn't look quite the same. Sigh. Been there. Like the Agony Aunt of the fashion world, we’re here to hear you out. Our tips on considered buying, perfect proportions and the best-looking way to protect your precious toes in winter come straight from our team of super stylists.

The it boot seems to shift back and forth between the same few silhouettes every season as our needs change. We’ve got a few different shapes on our radar: shift boot, Western boot, lace-up boot… The list is endless, but by far the most versatile and practical of them all is the hiking boot reinvented in luxe leather (faux leather, if you choose) or suede in neutral black or brown. Puddles and the necks of foes, beware!

We say work with whichever parts of your body you love the most, but structured and tailored garments, high-waisted jeans and waist-cinching A-line skirts are always winners for proportion perfection.

A good capsule wardrobe has about 20 pieces or less – this is very personal and will be different for everyone, depending on what your go-to pieces are. Start with your favourite, stand-out pieces and build your capsule around them. They don’t have to be the loudest pieces. Strong classics such as jeans or trousers in your preferred cut, crisp white shirts, premium basics and a classic boot work best. This is where you should focus your spending.

Everything else such skirts, blouses and accessories will change with from season to season, so look to more affordable pieces that can update your capsule’s expiry date as the trends roll in.

Decide on a curated set of colours before you buy anything and stick to it.

Follow your gut when buying and go for things you will wear a lot. Your pieces need to be able to move between seasons and work together well.

The trick to wearing oversized clothing is to get the proportions just right. Rather than just putting on baggy clothing (totally okay if you are going for a skater vibe), look to shapes that are exaggerated, but still structured. They should skim the shape of your body rather than totally swallow it. A shirt that’s crisp, but longer in sleeve-length, will still be flattering. Trousers that are tailored, but have a little more volume in the leg, are also great. If you're not quite ready to go full Japanese-style with your oversized options, then pick one piece and juxtapose it with other fitted pieces for a balanced look. For example, chunky knit that hangs to your thighs paired with leggings and a sneaker is a simple effortless combo.

Knitwear can be daunting, because an oversized knit can really swallow you up if you are not careful. Instead of focusing on details that have a fitted element in each piece, try to make sure you are balancing your proportions. What does that mean? If you are going big and chunky on top, balance that with fitted bottoms. Our fail-proof pairings are an oversized knit with a classic mom jean and sneakers or loafers, or a slip skirt that fits at the waist and a streamlined Converse sneaker.

Who would have thought that white boots would return as the hero shoe? Luckily, we’re not talking about that 80s white boot. This era’s boot is far more chic – a classic ankle boot. Wear with a loose-fitting tee tucked into a pair of mom jeans for a street-style approved look or add them to a blazer and pleated skirt combination for refined style.