6 Wardrobe Updates to Get You Out of Lockdown
When the sun starts shining and shoots of Spring start to come through, it is a great time for a little wardrobe update. Particularly after a long and dreary ‘Covid Winter’ - we all need a little sparkle and a lift right now.
If you’re like me, you might have a ‘post-lockdown’ vision of making some kind of glamorous entrance after months in the doldrums (or maybe just me?) then your dream is soon to be reality. Getting our glam on and feeling good is the point of clothes. We buy clothes to feel a certain way and I’m sure soon everyone is going to be going all out and enjoying what they wear like never before.
I have pulled together the six pieces I recommend to get now that will ease you out of a very casual wardrobe and into something more fun. These pieces are still comfy but ‘on-trend’ and will make sure you look refreshed and updated!
What I’m Loving for Spring
I’m still a massive dress fan, but also I’m loving t-shirts worn with midi skirts - so easy! I really love wearing a super-glam skirt with sequins or tulle with a low-key t-shirt and converse, that kind of look epitomizes how I like to dress. Wide leg jeans with a high waist are also something I enjoy wearing right now and they are more flattering than wrestling with a muffin top in a lower waist rise.
Also, when your legs are not in great shape after months of winter neglect, I find a maxi skirt the most useful item. No need to worry about shaving, just throw on and go! They hide a multitude of imperfections.
As it says over on my Instagram page - ‘relaxed but glam, is my jam.’
With ‘rule of Six’ in mind, These are the pieces that work to make sure you are still casual but have a more elevated wardrobe ready to start socialising again.
Update your basics
Wardrobes do not work without the basics. It’s a good idea to refresh yours each year - these items are usually the most worn in your wardrobe so they tend to get washed a lot which can make them look shabby.
Updating basics is a great way to refresh your look.
Here’s what I’ve just bought - the lilac tee from Disko kids plus a hoodie that says ‘Last night a DJ saved my life’ - both really fun, easy basics.
I also always get a plain black tee and a plain off-white tee for when I don’t feel in a slogan kind of mood. Actually, if I’ve got a personal shopping client who is very senior, I tend to dress in a more polished way and save the ‘Disco’ t-shirt for my downtime. That way, I get a distinction between workwear and weekend fun time.
I also bought this pink tee from 16 Arlington. Choose Love are a charity who raise money for refugees and displaced people around the world. A nice message and a good cause.
2. Midi skirts
As mentioned above, what could be easier than wearing a tee with a glam skirt? All the big designers were showcasing casual but glam looks for spring/summer 2021. A definite move away from total loungey loungewear but still a big emphasis on comfort.
Think fully sequin skirt worn with a hoodie.
www.styleoholic.com
Sequins are a bit much for most day-to-day dressers - it might seem a bit ‘extra’ for the school run. A nice satin skirt or maybe even tulle would still do the job and is a great look.
South of the River has a great choice of tulle skirts. I also love Anthropologie for midi skirts.
Also, a great trick is to wear a maxi skirt when the weather warms up - no need to shave your legs! Or if you are mega pale like me after winter or no sunshine I need a bit of maintenance and fake tan before I can reveal my legs in public.
Anthropologie have great skirts
3. Wide leg jeans - with a high waist.
These are so ‘in’ right now but lots of people think they can’t wear them. If you are petite then I did a special blog all about wearing high waisted wide legged jeans or trousers just for you - read it here.
I promise though, high waisted and wide leg is actually very flattering on most body shapes including larger size ladies.
Embracing new ideas and looks now again is good for us! I suggest you give a try at least, you might get a nice surprise and can always take them back if they don’t work.
If you are a die-hard skinny jeans fan (I still love mine) then stick to what you love and feel comfy in.
I like H&M denim right now.
H&M wide leg jeans, blazer and mules
4. Stylish flats and block heels
Anyone who knows me knows I am a total trainer lover. I need to be free - to run around from A to B fast and also, I just love the look of a trainer with glamorous dresses and skirts. However, my head has been turned by the gorgeous flats I keep seeing on Instagram and on Pinterest.
I can’t walk in spindly heels/stilettos but a block heel is acceptable. I recently bought these below from M&S for only £39.99. They look like Chanel pumps and are fabulous paired with jeans and a blazer when you want to look a bit smarter.
I also really like the flats from Boden and anything with a bow, or in metallic is really cute. My personal style is very much feminine so pretty shoes or things with bows appeal to me - you might prefer a loafer or the oxford lace-ups below which are great for summer - good ventilation! 😁
5. Statement earrings = instantly dressed up
Still a favourite styling trick of mine - this tactic seems stronger than ever if you want to elevate a casual outfit. Like throwing on some metallic heels with simple jeans, adding some sparkly earrings makes you look ‘done’ in an instant.
Have fun with colour, go sparkly - set off your eyes. Doesn’t matter if you’re wearing jogging bottoms and a tee - stick some glam earrings on and voila! A very modern way to dress too.
If you want a colourful earring try Anthropologie or in the UN - Oliver Bonus.
If you prefer silver or gold - try Chambers and Beau who do the coolest jewellery that lots of influencers love to wear.
Chambers and Beau do really cool jewellery
6. Le Grand Finale - a joyful dress!
Oh how I adore wearing dresses. Especially when I’m carrying an extra 10lbs in weight on my tummy and hips - lockdown has been tough! Throw on a pretty and/or colorful dress and you are DONE. Wear with chunky boots now or trainers, flats or heels. Chuck on a leather jacket if chilly or a denim jacket. Dresses are just the best.
Because now dresses are not bodycon (thank GOD) - they are looser in style, they are far more forgiving.
if you want to be fully on-trend for SS21 then go for an off-shoulder or Bardot style dress for evenings and events and for day to day I love &OtherStories, Rixo London (higher end). For day-to-day, M&S have teamed up with the queen of dresses, Ghost London, and made a really great collection of tea dresses, floral dresses and midi dresses at really affordable prices.
Hope you like the selection this time and feel inspired to get your wardrobe ready for the summer ahead! May it be a fun one for us all.
If you’d like more tips and tricks, join my FREE NEW Facebook Group. I’m there every day posting pics and answering style questions. I do monthly videos and have guests in there too - it’s lots of fun and I’d love to see you over there.
Lisa x
