I'm a Lazy Dresser, But I Always Get Compliments on This Simple, Anti-Trend 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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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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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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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.

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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