I'm a Minimalist, and These Are the 4 Affordable Looks I'm Wearing for Autumn

If there’s one good thing about winter, it’s the clothes. Any season, occasion or excuse for more clothes, and I’m in. And in those deceptively cooler months that call for layers, coats and cosy knits, I happiest when I’m wrapped up and looking chic. If you’ve spent a mere two minutes on the Who What Wear site, you’ll know we’re all about the capsule wardrobe. There’s nothing we love more than sophisticated staples that ensure effortless elegance and require very little thinking, styling or time. Someone who is very much in line with this ideology is fashion influencer and minimalist Sam Preston. Every scroll of her Instagram feed is filled with pared-back, elevated essentials such as high-waisted jeans and simple cotton tees that she’ll often pair with leather biker jackets and premium accessories. One of the many reasons I love her content is because of the way she artfully mixes both high-street and designer items, curating a considered wardrobe of timeless staples.

Whether she’s wearing the perfect black blazer or seasonless striped shirt, Preston manages to find the very best out there (and make it look easy). With two young children and a social media hustle keeping her more than busy, she relies on brands that offer consistently good classics, whose silhouettes are not only influenced by trends but also perfect, everyday staples that require little effort. One brand she often goes to for these essentials is George at Asda. "I used to be a planner, but with kids, they don’t give me the luxury of time anymore. I get up and dress for my mood. I have all the wardrobe essentials, which help me build an outfit with ease without compromising my style,” she tells me.

I asked Preston to put together four key looks from George’s A/W 22 collection and share her tips for building an effortless capsule wardrobe. What’s the first important thing to note? Denim as at the core of each look. "I live in jeans. As I’m petite, a high waist is a must for me because it lengthens my legs, and a straight leg is the most flattering for my silhouette,” Preston says. Thankfully, George’s denim selection has a variety of cuts and washes perfect for suiting every shape and size. Alongside all the no-fuss, versatile ensembles Preston built below come key tips for achieving a minimalistic aesthetic, so be sure to keep scrolling if you know what’s good for you.

1. Herringbone Coat + Ribbed Top + Jeans

Some people may consider sequined dresses, silver cowboy boots or velour tracksuits frivolous purchases, but nobody can ever deny the necessity of a perfect winter coat. It’s a non-negotiable, and that’s a fact. "Last year, herringbone coats were all over my Instagram feed, and I think this year will be the same,” Preston says. "The fabric texture, long length and cuff detail make this one appear much more expensive than it is, and you could wear it oversized and use the belt to cinch it in at the waist for a premium finish.” For a minimalist like Preston, it’s important to have a variety of materials in your arsenal. "To elevate an ensemble, mix textures like cable-knit and herringbone wool with cotton and linen tees. This way, you can contrast without adding lots of colour,” Preston says.

Preston’s styling tip: "Want to know the easiest way to make this coat super chic? Wear it with all black underneath. Like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen always prove, all-black dressing is an effortless minimalist dressing rule to fall back on when you want to ooze elegance and professionalism at once.”

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2. Blazer + Stripes + Jeans 

Technically, we’re getting two looks for the price of one here from Preston, but there were too many good striped pieces in the George collection to only select one, and this just exemplifies that you can never have too many tees or Breton stripes! "When I really want to add colour to my outfit, my go-to thing to do is add red lipstick. For one reason or another, denim and Breton tops always look great with a splash of red. Maybe it’s because blue and red are complementary shades, or perhaps it’s because it references its French heritage, but either way, it’s so timeless.”

Be it with a T-shirt or a jumper, the stripes-blazer-jeans combo is one of the most trustworthy outfits in any wardrobe. They go together as organically as strawberries and cream. When it came to selecting the colour of her jeans, Preston made an excellent point about denim washes: "For me, darker denim washes feel easier to dress smarter and feel more appropriate for the cooler months whereas a bleach wash is great for sun-kissed skin in summer. A mid-blue wash is my go-to for running errands and casual daytime occasions all throughout the year.”

Preston’s styling tip: "Simply switch out the trainers for boots or loafers to make the outfit feel smarter, or if you wish to elevate it further, add heels and some gold jewellery, et voilà! You’re good to go.”

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 3. Button-Down Shirt + Jeans

Can a person ever have too many button-down shirts? I think not. Here, Preston styles hers with blue jeans and throws a thick cable-knit jumper over her shoulders in case it gets cold while she’s out at a wine bar with her husband. I love the addition of a jumper over my shoulders regardless of temperature—it’s elegant, a little preppy and adds dimension and texture to a simple ensemble. But don’t limit your shirt styling to jeans and boots. As Preston says, "A button-down shirt is easy to throw on but has more structure than a cardigan. With a tailored suit and trainers or over a dress in autumn, it’s the perfect layering piece and therefore an essential in a capsule wardrobe.”

Preston’s styling tip: "Leave the bottom buttons undone or tucked in at one side to show your waistline. This lengthens my 5’3 frame and shows my natural silhouette.”

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4. Cardigan + Jeans

A flawless look consistently nailed by the likes of Katie Holmes, Kaia Gerber and Hailey Bieber is the simple cardigan and jeans combo. This particular black cardigan has a loose fit. "I love how oversized it is and how it falls off your shoulders,” says Preston. "I’ve styled it here with blue jeans and loafers for a cooler, more casual look when I was running errands. Later in the evening, I paired it with a black tee, black jeans and boots to elevate it for a date night at the cinema.” The key to making this basic look appear less basic is in the accessories. Consider tucking it into your high-waisted jeans and finishing with a belt and round sunglasses to give it a ’90s feel. Or, as Preston mentions here, think about changing the colour of your jeans or shoes to dress it up for another occasion.

Preston’s styling tip: "Where you’d conventionally think of a cardigan as something to wear open and over something, I say to think of it as a top and button it up. But if you’re on the shorter side or want to show your shape, be sure to leave the bottom button or two open.”

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Want to add more to your autumn capsule wardrobe? See what’s new at George at Asda.