outfit-ideas

You might assume that to look expensive, you need to buy eye-wateringly expensive things, but looking rich isn’t just about flashy logos and jewellery so valuable it must be stored in a safe. There are little tricks that can make any outfit look more elevated, from ensuring your shirts are always crisp to the colours that appear to add a couple of zeros to the cost of your outfit. Many of these styling rules have been set by stealth-wealth luxury brands, such as The Row and Phoebe Philo for Céline, who show that timeless, classic pieces always add an air of sophistication to your look. Think biscuit-coloured knitwear, an oversized trench coat and a perfectly starched white shirt. Intrigued? Keep scrolling to see the nine things that will always make you look richer than you...

It might feel early in the season for holiday dressing, but Jennifer Lopez doesn’t live on anyone’s schedule, so of course, she’d break out a festive ‘fit before December’s arrival. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Hustlers actress was spotted out with her husband, Ben Affleck, at the Winter Garden Theatre in NYC, where they attended a performance of The Music Man. For the occasion, Lopez went with two pieces from Ralph Lauren Collection, a Fair Isle sweater and a tulle maxi skirt with a slit up the entire right side. But the holiday festivities didn’t end there. With her party-ready skirt choice, she added fishnet tights and a pair of velvet Giuseppe Zanotti platforms with a casual five-inch heel. She even carried a shea...

The mini skirt is having a moment right now but, for me, it’s more than a trend. I love a good mini skirt and have been wearing them ever since my teens. They are classic, versatile and can be styled so many different ways… and they’re not just for summer! I love wearing mini skirts all year round. My younger self couldn’t wait to grow up and wear mini skirts at my own whim; they have gone from a “daring” wardrobe piece to a classic staple. I saw them worn in the ’90s by Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell who made them, in my opinion, iconic. A regular in my wardrobe rotation, you can find a trusty mini skirt amongst most retailers. This & Other Stories style is made from recycled fabrics, is a “true” mini skirt length...

After nearly a decades worth of experience in styling and fashion writing, the questions that I’m asked are still exactly the same. Most commonly “What do I wear to this event?” or “how do I dress for this season?” but the truth remains that the most basic questions are usually the ones we’re asked the most, and it always comes back to how to make getting ready in the morning that little bit easier.  Even the very best of us are prone to a style mistake or two every now and then. Yes, even fashion insiders are guilty of wearing a too-small shoe size (I blame sample sales!) or pairing the wrong bra with an outfit. But sometimes it just takes someone else pointing it out for us to see the light. That’s why I decided to figure out ...

All of these factors that make M&S great also mean it’s one of the best places to find expensive-looking pieces to help you build an elevated capsule wardrobe on a budget—something I think we’re all striving for right now. As proof, and to help you shop wisely as we head into winter, below I’ve pulled together four timeless cold-weather-ready outfits you can turn to again and again this season—entirely from M&S (although your friends might not believe you when you tell them that). Think smart layering options and versatile party looks to have on rotation. You may already own versions of the various elements at home to substitute in, so in that case all you need to do is bookmark this article for outfit inspo. But if you’re looking to add some ...

Whenever I’m in need of fresh outfit inspiration, there are a few places I always look, but one that never fails is the street style and posts of some of London’s best dressed. Always effortlessly cool but with firsthand understanding of the UK’s fluctuating weather, London women manage to toe the line between putting their own spin on timeless classics and setting new, unexpected trends, so where better to look to breathe new life into the humble pair of jeans than the streets of the capital? From Burnt Oak to Brixton, the trend du jour is the looser, straight-leg style for a menswear-inspired look (sorry, skinnies), and thanks to Instagram, I’ve found some particularly good ways to wear it. Whether you’re a denim devotee or a new con...

During Michelle Obama’s eight years as our first lady, we didn’t get to see her in too many casual outfits—she was much likelier to be photographed in sophisticated Jason Wu dresses. In the years since then, I’ve been reveling in seeing her true personal style shine through. I mean, who could forget those Balenciaga sparkly boots? For her latest outfit, she experimented with the denim trend that’s been surging in popularity: baggy, wide-leg cargo jeans, which are pretty much the antithesis of skinny jeans.  Obama wore Ganni’s Rinse Denim Fitted Blazer (£295) and Angi Jeans (£215) to an event in Washington, D.C., promoting her new book, The Light We Carry. I realise I might sound like a broken record at this point, b...

When it comes to dressing for a first date, there’s a general rule of thumb I think always works. First is the art of subtle elevation. Much like the no-makeup makeup look, there are little details that’ll quietly elevate a look, like jewellery, a plush bag or tailoring with strappy heels. Second is comfort. If you’re not a heel wearer, opt for something you feel relaxed in. Slip-on flats are equally chic. Dressing for all eventualities is a form of empowerment. Of course, the type of date has a bearing on your outfit choice, as you’re less likely to turn up to a picnic in 10-inch stilettos. (Although, if that’s what you fancy, wear them with pride!) There’s an evident playfulness with this season’s most famed pieces—cut-outs, minis and ankle-strap heels—so there are va...

Hello, party season! We’ve missed you. After a solitary winter and a scorching hot summer, we’re finally to back to socialising just like before—birthdays, dinners, and the impending Christmas parties—and with the way our social calendars filled up almost overnight, our first thought is what to wear. Dressing for a night out in winter is a tricky thing to master. We have to consider fashion and functionality in a way we didn’t during the warmer months, plus navigating unspoken dress codes. Is the event dressy enough to warrant high heels, or will I be more comfortable in flats? It might be freezing, but if I’ve spent enough on a special dress, will wearing my winter coat spoil the effect? (And please, do not even get...

Dressing for winter can be hard. There are so many factors to consider—not least the weather and how to navigate all those layers. If you’re a dress person, there’s an easy throw-on formula of a knitted midi dress and knee-high boots to turn to. But if you’re like me and feel much more comfortable and confident in a pair of trousers, there are many more variables,  and it can sometimes be hard not to just turn to your trusty jeans and knits on busy mornings.  That’s why I’m here today. I’ve recently been scrolling through the feeds of the best dressed people I know, searching for some trouser-shaped inspiration for the season ahead. There were nine looks I added to my saved folder that particularly stood out to me,...

Right now, I have a load of washing that’s been sitting in the machine for over five hours, a passport to renew, a fringe that’s basically empty and a letter sitting on my desk that I wrote over a week ago that I’m yet to post. My point being? It’s hard to have everything together at all times. Some weeks, I fly through my to-do list with ease, have a clean house, and I’ve messaged all of my friends back on WhatsApp. Others? Even the bare minimum seems like a chore. I can’t magic away all the tasks you might have at hand, but I can make it look as if you’ve got yourself together by way of your outfits. Interested? I thought you might be.  As a fashion editor, one of the questions I’m most commonly asked by my friends, family an...

Every trip back to New York is a treat. Simply put, New Yorkers’ sartorial instincts are unrivalled. They’re usually some of the first to adopt emerging trends, so any outing to a restaurant or Duane Reade is like interacting with a living mood board. Recently, I went back to the city and couldn’t help but notice how put-together everyone looked. Among the various pieces I observed on its dwellers, there seemed to be five standout staples that consistently popped up among the most stylish women. Of course, upon returning home, I immediately began looking for these to add to my very own wardrobe. The items in question range from fresh runway trends to edgier streetwear staples to tried-and-true foundational pieces. Essentially, they reveal how New York ...