Name a better season for having fun with your style than autumn or spring. That golden opportunity to blend your summer and winter wardrobes always gets me. And of course the layering. Whether it’s paring it back while shifting gears into spring; or at the other end of the spectrum, adding more visual interest (especially with texture) to your most beloved summer basics.
Given we’re smack bang in the middle of the transitional season, I thought I’d share four outfit ideas, in partnership with Everlane.
#1 – the classic
Wearing Everlane air tee (size XS); Everlane oversized wool blazer (size US4); Everlane way high jeans (size 25); Black ballerinas (the day glove is a cute alternative!); Everlane studio bag
We’ll start with outfit number one. A good ol’ classic in my books. A white tee, with straight leg jeans, an oversized blazer and a cute shoe. This is one that you can wear almost year round, with a few minor tweaks. When it’s hot out, swap the ballerinas for a slip on slide, and loose the blazer. When the weather dips, add a snuggly knit, some boots, and maybe a scarf for good measure.
The way high jeans in particular have become a fast favourite of mine in recent months. If you’re after a full review, check out this post here, in addition to this one here if you want to see how my other Everlane jeans fit. I’ve been trying to strike balance in my outfits, and I’ve really come to love the straight cut through the leg. Plus, it makes them a great contender to wear with boots during the colder months.
And of course, the oversized wool blazer. You can’t beat it, for a beautifully tailored, effortlessly “oversized” fit. It has ease without feeling too big on. Plus it can take you from day to night with a few simple switches in styling.
#2 – neutral tones
Everlane ribbed mini dress; Everlane long Mac coat; Everlane form bag; Everlane organic cotton ribbed socks; Everlane square toe Chelsea boots
This second look is heavily centred around neutrals. Personal, I love tonal outfits because they’re effortless to their core, and can be a fun way to play with texture. Here, we have some pale butterscotch, stone and cool caramel tones. The key to these kinds of outfits is that the eye should settle calmly over the outfit as a whole. No one piece stands out as the “focal point”.
Breaking it down, we have a cute mini pima stretch dress. I loved this the second I spotted it in the new arrivals section; it’s made from the same super soft (and incredibly hard wearing) pima rib cotton as the tanks I wear on an almost daily basis. The style is designed to be fitted, so here we create balance with the other outfit elements. The trench falls to a longer length than the dress. Personally, I love this as proportion play as it creates some really interesting shapes.
The boots are tres chic, with the squared off toe and contrasting elastic panel. The style is quite angular, so socks can be a nice way to soften up a shoe like this. I’d wear them scrunched up to the ankle. And the finishing touch; the form bag (review here) in cognac. Colour-wise it fits in seamlessly, and I like the ease of being able to switch from wearing it crossbody to on the shoulder in a snap.
#3 – creating complements
Everlane organic cotton tissue crew; Everlane lofty knit cardigan; Everlane utility barrel pant; Everlane renew long liner; Everlane Italian leather Chelsea boot; Everlane Studio bag
Layering is definitely key once it starts to get colder, and the best tool you can have in your closet is a great t-shirt. It’s your starting point, and for me, a huge building block for my own closet – a true year round piece. Here, I’ve started with tonal elements. A cream tee with off-white barrel leg trousers. Which, side note, are such a fun silhouette if you’re interested in playing with proportions and shape more.
Next step is to build up from here. Cardigans are always a great option towards the start of the season; worn loose to convey a season of ease, exposing the t-shirt or camisole you have tucked underneath. Also very easy to tuck aside if it gets to warm. I especially loved this chunky, cosy, cuddly new launch; buttoned up you get the same impact as a crew neck sweater (and you could wear it back to front too, if you wished!). It’s also that first real element of tactile texture for this outfit.
Playing with colour can be a fun way to show personality, or just add depth to an outfit. Choosing a “theme” can be helpful, whether you’re opting for a tonal look (like the previous outfit), complementary colours, or want to strike out with a focal piece. Here, I’ve opted for complementary hues, in earthy tones. The key is to wear the same undertone; cool, neutral, or warm.
I love this liner style jacket. It’s got texture, but then it’s not too bulky so is just the thing if you need to add another layer of warmth as it gets even colder. The accessories is where there’s a slight matching element, as the colours are almost spot on the same. This is an easy style tool which can make your outfit look pulled together.
#4 – balance through propotions
Everlane diamond stitch cloud crew; Everlane oversized shirt jacket; Everlane way high jeans; Everlane Studio bag; Everlane Mary Jane loafers
This final look was about creating some an interesting silhouette. I’m all about proportion play lately. It can be a great way to also breathe new life into some old favourites.
So you’ll note that a lot of the items I selected for this outfit are loose; oversized even. This is intentional. Forget the rule that you should pair fitted on bottom with loose on top (or vice versa). Proportions work in multiple ways, and the details are often nuanced.
First thing, I’ve added dimension through texture. Fuzziness of the knit, with the smoothness of the shacket, and the cotton twill effect that denim so often has. The shacket is a nice jacket option, as it’s an inbetweener – perfect for the transitional season. You could easily wear it buttoned up, with a coat over top if need be. It has a longer length, below the hip, which creates really nice clean lines.
The jeans are a favourite of mine. The way high in coal. I especially love the frayed edge hem. In a way it’s almost a nod to the “grunge” trend that we’re about to start seeing come to life in the months ahead.
I chose the new Mary Jane loafers to pair with this look, primarily as a tool to balance out the silhouette. Plus, I thought the colour schematics worked together harmoniously too – a bonus! Given that the rest of the outfit features more oversized/loose elements, I wanted a slimline shoe to complete the look. These also would expose a little bit of the ankle, a minor detail but one that I often find adds balance to these kinds of silhouettes. And of course, the studio bag, in black. I recently rediscovered mine and am loving pairing it with outfits again. It’s a medium-sized bag, and I find is balanced against the other elements of this outfit.
I hope you got a little bit of outfit inspiration, and I’d love to know your favourite Everlane piece. For me, it’s a toss up between this trench coat, and these boots. Two classic styles you can’t really go wrong with.
Thanks again to Everlane for partnering with me on this post! X
