Getting rid of 300-something items from my closet has really got me to turn my attention to experiment with the clothes I have left. Giving life to old items fuels excitement for all the creativity you can unleash on getting dressed.
I think there’s this perception that minimalism means boring but really you can make anything look cool and interesting and unique if you just have to let yourself play and step outside the comfort of how people say things should be styled. What I’ve found helpful is making a Pinterest board to track different styles and ways of dressing or styling a certain item. Also being specific with your searches and narrowing them to a certain region (ie “street style in tokyo” “mini skirt styled france”) gives a larger spectrum of styles to adopt.
How to pick the perfect white shirt
So I love a white dress shirt, right? Like a perfect, plain, crisp white shirt. And I spent a really long time looking for the perfect one until I found this one at a thrift store. So some hot tips for picking the perfect white shirt:
Determine the fit you want (tight, oversized, loose, boxy, fitted)
Check the men’s and women’s section no matter where you’re looking
If you want a bit of a looser fit but you want a women’s cut then just go a size or two larger
Keep in mind that you can always play around with the sleeves (roll them, fold them, clip them)
Remember you can always replace buttons to give the shirt a bit more edge
The one I found is a men’s shirt and it’s pretty fucking huge on me, which I love. I personally prefer things oversized because then I feel like it’s more versatile and you can play around with masculine/feminine/androgynous vibes. When it comes to getting dressed, playing with vibes and going with how you feel I think is key – it makes getting ready a mindful task that you can use to express yourself.
The Five Ways Breakdown
The Classic Carrie
For those who’ve seen Sex and the City will remember this iconic look where Carrie and Big meet up and they fall in the lake so they go back to his place to dry out and she comes home in a makeshift outfit that she created from his dress shirt. All you need: a large dress shirt that covers your butt and a belt. I paired this look with a large bag to go with the oversize of everything. Nifty tip: if your belt after belting has that long, gross, floppy end hanging, loop it from the top under the waist of the belt so that it’s tucked in and looks more intentional than like a soft dick.
Casual Office Cutie
Can you even tell this shirt is huge on me? Taking an oversized item and pairing it with clothing that fits you really well is major key. Even if your shirt isn’t oversized, throw on a blazer, pull out the sleeves a bit, alternatively pull up the sleeves of the blazer a bit for a peek a boo moment, throw on a mini skirt (dark denim always makes things more casual) and voilá you’re ready for coffee meetings, cocktail evenings and/or errand runnings.
Artíst Vibes
With fall and winter around the corner - it’s time to take out that beret. I’m personally obsessed with berets and have them in 4 different colours. A classic black one I think is a must if you’re into headwear. It’s truly magical how one item can take your outfit from cool to french cool. Add loose fit pants and for a little relaxed chic moment, tuck one side of your shirt into your pants. A vibe changer. I love an accessory that adds just the perfect splash of colour - black and white outfits like these are a playground for you to experiment with colourful bags, shoes and jewellery.
Lazy Chicness
Sometimes you gotta be on the run right? Things to do, people to see but nothing is formal enough for you to actually have to wear clothes (that’s why people are wearing nice pyjama sets out in public now. An alternative to that is pairing a button-down with some basketball/workout shorts. You can go with a tighter fit like I did here or looser - this is that outfit that looks like no and all thought was put into it. Throw on some sneaks and your hair in a bun to go with the laid back vibe and hustle on.
Flowy Ease
The great thing about a button-down is that it doesn’t always have to be buttoned up. Layer it with a tee (I love a graphic to add more dimension and energy to the look) and some nice straight-legged pants and you have yourself an outfit you can go to brunch in or go grab a drink at night in. A small purse will offset the flowyness of the outfit and I like to tie my hair up in this situation to highlight the neckline and collar moment. Heels to spruce up the look and a sneaker to sport it up and sandals to soften it.
Which look is your favourite? What’s an outfit you would put together with a button-down? What colour button-down is a must-have in your opinion? Comment below!
Until next time,
Be present in the now and don’t forget to experiment and play with your clothes~
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