How to wear basics better for an effortlessly put together look every time

Wearing: Grey Coat – Asilio the Label | White Shirt & heels – ASOS | Boyfriend Jeans – G-Star Raw | PS11 Mini Classic Bag – Proenza Schouler | Accessories: Cluse Watches; Correy & Lyon Necklace; Shop Beige Renegade

Effortlessly put together outfits start with amazing quality basics. However, to bring basic pieces to life, it’s got so much to do with how you wear them. The goal is to elevate the seemingly commonplace into something a little bit sensational – better – for everyday. And what is ‘better’? For the minimalist, it’s all about conveying a sense of haphazardness, of the ensemble having fallen into place by perfect accident, and a deceivingly carefree attitude (expertly skirting the bounds of carelessness, but never crossing the line). Here are some ways I like to wear basics better.

1. The Button Up Shirt

The button up shirt (especially one stolen from the boyfriend) is ubiquitously sexy-cool. Ways to wear a button up shirt better include buttoning all the way to the neck for a dapper-preppy look, or buttoning it down to the limit of decency, but never in between the two – that’s for the office only. Also consider the half tuck, the sleeve roll, and leaving an overly long sleeve unbuttoned, and haphazardly falling past the wrists.

2. The Jacket

Though I have been chastised by my more learned fashion industry friends for wearing a jacket in any other way but caped over the shoulders, I feel that this is only one of many ways to wear it better. For example, scrunching up the sleeve, turning up the labels, and absolutely always letting your shirt sleeve underneath peek through. That said, wearing a jacket over the shoulder is definitely my favourite. It’s one of the most effective ways to add a keynote of effortlessness to every outfit.

3. The Boyfriend Jean

The boyfriend is a somewhat controversial jean style. Among my friends, there are as many who consider them to be universally flattering, as those who swear to their tendency to make you look like you’re on your way to a 1920’s construction site (and not in a good way!). How to wear boyfriend jeans better? Always roll them up past the ankles, and add some ultra feminine heels.

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