I'm a Lazy Dresser, But I Always Get Compliments on This Simple Outfit
The older I’ve gotten, the lazier I’ve become with my outfits. In my early 20s, my office uniform consisted of high heels, midi skirts and tops that required ironing. Ironing. What’s more, I’d gladly take an earlier train to ensure I had enough time to A) walk to work from the station in said heels and B) freshen up in the loo before logging on. Now, in my early 30s, even with the convenience of working from home, assembling an outfit for the day ahead feels tenfold more draining than ever.
Still, just because I’m lazy, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to feel put together in my clothes—I just don’t want to put in the same amount of effort as I did back then. My time is precious, and I want to use it more efficiently, be it to take my dogs out for an early morning walk or to get in a workout (which, I’ll admit, is a rarity) before answering emails. So in an attempt to do so, I decided to play around with the pieces in my wardrobe to come up with a handful of minimal-effort outfits that look the polished part and are easy to throw on when I just can’t think. Dresses, of course, come in very handy for this sort of thing, but I think there’s an outfit I might even prefer.
Aysha Sow showcases my new favourite outfit pairing.
Shirt-and-trouser outfits might not sound groundbreaking or new, but it’s the simple combination I’ve noticed fashion people are wearing now more than ever, be it to run errands in the city or head to the beach on holiday. The shirts in question are relaxed in fit, often left unbuttoned or untucked, and the trousers loosely tailored, making for an ensemble that looks elevated but cool, luxury but low-key, expensive but effortless. It’s seemingly the aesthetic a lot of people would like to have right now because whenever I wear my shirt-and-trouser outfits out, I receive compliments on them.
It’s going to be easier to show you the look I’m talking about as opposed to writing about it, so I’ve assembled six shirt-and-trouser outfits that perfectly showcase just how chic the pairing can look whilst being incredibly simple to style for yourself. Scroll on to see them and to shop any pieces you might need to re-create them.
1. Keep Things Classic in Blue and Cream
Style Notes: As far as colour combinations go, they don’t come more timeless or as expensive-looking as Oxford blue and ecru.
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There's a reason Converse have been popular for decades.
2. Add a Bra Top for Interest
Style Notes: If you’re looking for a way to inject some personality into your shirt-and-trouser outfit (and make it feel more summery), try adding a stylish bra top into the equation.
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3. Strike a High/Low Balance With Cotton and Silk
Style Notes: Silk trousers are a staple for summer as they’ll help keep you cool. Paired with a cotton shirt, they create an elevated but effortless texture combination.
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Debora's exact trousers are one of Totême's best-selling styles.
4. Layer With a Racer Vest
Style Notes: A relaxed shirt and loosely tailored trousers are two of 2023’s key buys. Why not make it a hat trick with another: the racer vest?
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Quality staples like this are worth spending extra on.
I haven't stopped thinking about this suit ever since I first saw it.
5. Dress Up Your Jeans
Style Notes: A crisp shirt is one of the easiest ways to add polish to your jeans. Look for wider-leg styles, such as barrel shapes, to achieve Sasha Mei’s volume-on-volume proportions.
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6. Choose Simple Accessories
Style Notes: Shirt-and-trouser outfits are especially favoured by minimalists. Lean into the pared-back aesthetic by layering in simple accessories, such as black slider sandals and a boxy tote.
Shop the Look:
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
Next Up: The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.
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