The Uniform: My Forever Wardrobe

Hello, Gorgeous! 

I am soooo lazy. 

Low hanging fruit is the way I get things done fast. This counts for dressing well. I like to throw something on and feel sublime when I see my outfit but without expending much energy. When all the garments in your wardrobe match and you have a formula, you are unstoppable. 

Dressing well is a form of good manners.

Tom Ford

Here is my formula for dressing well, appearing polished, and lazy girl luxury style.

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How you can use this

These are all based on items I use daily in my wardrobe that make me look sharp effortlessly. You can play with each item being a long sleeve, short sleeve, or sleeveless. It depends on what suits your figure and personal style. Take this with a grain of salt if it does not appeal to you and create your own formula. 

A Forever Wardrobe vs. Capsule Wardrobe

When I make a purchase – even if it’s polyester and trendy – I plan on wearing it to death. Literally. I want to be able to hand down items that my grandchildren will look at and think Wow, Grandma had style. This has really affected the way I dress, spend, and want to be seen. I am going into that coffin dressed phenomenally. 

Wearing flattering cuts is my modus operandi when it comes to dressing. I always want to look good no matter what and that is what matters most. Sometimes trends suit me, other times they are a miss. When it suits me, I purchase it in multiple colours and it becomes a part of my natural routine. Stick to your guns. Not what marketing traps tell you to. 

I had to rebuild my entire wardrobe from scratch, and these are the flexible guidelines I am adhering to. It has been so much fun, but I also do not want to worry about storage and too much maintenance, because I want to spend time with loved ones and do other more important experiences.

Colours

My colour season is Deep Winter and somewhere between a Deep Autumn. Mostly Deep Winter with high contrast hues. You can find your colour season here with this free quiz. 

It’s not mine, but it helped me and changed my life when it came to building my forever wardrobe. This woman is a genius and I am so grateful I found her blog. Other blogs were really confusing, but she made this clear and simple with her quiz.

I love cool tones. I’m a neutral tone, so I tend to wear blues, greens, purple, charcoal, and black. Donning light pastels in these gradients are a feminine softer touch to my look. I wear all of these pigments year round.  

I used to wear tons of bright colours and white all the time, but I keep getting countless compliments in black, navy, and dark greens, so I took cues and leaned into what consensus sees me to look fabulous. 

Materials

Go-tos in my Forever Wardrobe are anything with natural fibre or blends of them together. I do not mind polyester when it’s a higher grade, and it can be forgiving on a look where certain natural fibres are weak. It might be structure or details in certain parts that will carry the look – say a trim or carrying a print that would run on another composition.

Modal cotton blends are the ultimate comfort and make you look like an expensive off duty business person. I feel so luxurious with this material, and it’s the ultimate base layer for cooler climates.

This is thicker in comparison to more expensive higher gauges of silk, so it makes more sense for my busy hands-on lifestyle rather than me being precious with my silks. I have a decent backlog of silk items, and I do not reach for them when I am not feeling high maintenance. 

Silk blends are chosen over cotton. If I can have 100% wool or half and half with silk – that’s a win and belongs in my rotation. This might change in future when my lifestyle changes again. 

Tops

I love boatnecks, because I love covering up. Scoop necks are gorgeous, but I wear them more with my pajamas and loungewear. Roll necks make me feel like I am choking even though they look so chic! I always admire people’s style when they can wear it, because I realised I have to stop forcing myself and simply appreciate it when I see the look. 

Collars always make any look smart. They make me look like I read haha. I look like I always have the answer. When you wear a proper dress shirt, it also makes you look more polished and properly dressed. This accounts for collars on halters as well. 

Crewnecks are so accessible, but I think I look stupid. My shoulders are quite broad, so I am doing everything I can to cut the lines up on my figure to look more proportionate. This is where halters come in during the warmer seasons. 

Outerwear

Classic with a twist is my go-to when it comes to outerwear. You can have the most boring item in theory but play with different textures, cuts, and interesting variations of the design. 

In lieu of your average collared coat, you can make your look more interesting with a new colour. It is on the outside after all. That first impression of having a statement piece can help you immediately bring out your personality or blend in. I opt for wider lapels to break my broad shoulders for a delicate presentation. 

When I go bespoke, I like to keep the look classic and timeless but have a little something special in the lining and pockets for me. It can be a silk filament, words that motivate me, or simply my proud initials. It’s definitely going to be something tied to my destiny, legacy, and/or heritage.

Bottoms

Mid rise to low rise are my core cuts and everyday heroes when it comes to any design. Jeans – gasp yes, jeans – I tend to go with a dark wash or white. White has to be immaculate or the flaws show. My favourite pillar pieces are typically wool in a straight cut or slightly slim flare. 

As a shortie petite girl at 5’2.5”, I am swallowed by fabric when wearing wide legs and do not want to always have to wear a belt to show my waist exists. I can still wear the look, but it requires more effort. 

Mini skirts with stiff textile makes me look awkward as it cuts me off at an unflattering point. Micro minis are my cornerstone silhouette, but silk minis, and maxi skirts move with you and drape beautifully. 

Bags

Jane Birkin and the Olsen twins have the right idea. I love wearing my bags to death until they are tattered. Whether it’s a $150 bag or a finer investment piece – it’s only investment if you barely use it and resell it minus the 40% commission – I wear it until it is destroyed, then I buy a new design to replace the model. 

I am very strategic with bags, because as I grow older, I need more storage and organisation. Being prepared is so sexy to me. I want to enjoy the journey without missing out, and a deliberate bag with calculated purpose always has a place on my arm. 

Shoes

Shoes, oh shoes. My feet are slightly two different sizes at 6.5 to 7. I wear a 7 or 37 to make my life easier. This means avoiding slingbacks, because they never stay on. I have also been liking the newer idea (to my wardobe) of leather loafers, but especially mule ones. I am very boring when it comes to everyday shoes, but heels are always wild with my evening gowns.

I like to get things done throughout the day, so comfort, leather, and make them easy to put on — you have yourself a working formula for lazy girl luxury.

Earrings

A drop or hoop to separate my hair and face bring light to my features and are an essential. They make any outfit look so much more glamorous and refined when I am enrobed in gemstones. Enrobing my ensemble with decadent adornments makes a day look turn evening with a simple swap. 

Next up will be timepieces. Subscribe here for free to get the update.

The Uniform 2.0

If you have been following me for a while, you are probably aware that this is a redux of an old staple post where I shared my outfit combinations. Now, I shop so differently. Intentionally is the word. It makes me feel free when I can focus on life attracting opportunities, because I am ready to show up looking and feeling marvellous. Isn’t it glamorous how clothes can do that for you?

My version of luxury 

Dressing up used to be my top priority. Now, it is secondary to getting ready with glam. Taking care of my body and skin first and foremost means looking good in everything I sport. The real luxury is wearing simple silhouettes for people to focus on what I am saying and being ready to get things done. 

I spend a fortune on other things, because I am building The It Girl School and want to show up there more than at retailers. 

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Shop My Forever Wardrobe