Five 'Jean-Free' Outfit Formulas

For if like me, you're a bit addicted to jeans and a jumper...

So far this winter I’ve worn some reiteration of jeans and a jumper most days. Now there’s nothing wrong with that - that’s how uniforms are made and style is solidified after all. But I was feeling a little bored. So I took an hour or so out to mull over my racks and come up with some outfits that were denim-free (almost!) and featured things that I’m sure a lot of us already have in our wardrobes. Obviously it’s cold right now in the U.K, so I’d be throwing coats, hats, scarves etc over all of these, but in the interest of looking at the outfits we wear inside I’m sacking those off for photos. Think of these as good weekend, casual workplace, WFH options. Here are five formulas for you to give a go…

CORD SHIRT + KNITTED WIDE LEG TROUSERS

Lie Studios earrings* (ad - gifted), AGOLDE cord shirt*, MANGO trousers* and ARKET loafers*.

I’ll start with my favourite outfit from the pack - this one. I fell on it by accident because I was trying to find more ways to wear this cord shirt, which I haven’t been wearing as much as I thought I would (a little too oversized maybe?) and decided I’d make a brown on camel outfit sandwich. I can tell you now that you’ll definitely be seeing this one again. If you want to push yourself out the denim comfort-zone then try something tonal, nine times out of 10 it works.

JUMPER + ANIMAL PRINT TROUSERS

Lie Studios drop earrings*, ARKET jumper*, secondhand Rotate trousers (these ones*) and my Aeyde flats* with sheer socks*.

This one isn’t a million miles away from jeans and a jumper, but it feels like it because the animal print is LOUD!! Having stupidly sold all my animal print trousers, I’m so glad I repurchased some back into my wardrobe because they are true outfit makers and such a good option to have in your wardrobe for when you just don’t really know what to wear. An animal print trouser with a top or jumper that you wear all the time is such a good place to start. I built on that base with a pair of my favourite evenings and some flat shoes that felt both casual and dressy at the same time.

JUMPER + VEST + TROUSERS

The same black jumper* underneath with a cream vest* over the top, drop earrings*, Filipa K trousers* and some animal print pumps I found on Vinted (originally from M&S).

Ok this one might not be a combo that I wear much in the daily repertoire, but it does feel like something I’d wear if I worked in an office. I’ve said before that I didn't really love the idea of wearing my knitted vests with jumpers underneath, but I can’t argue with the fact that it’s the only way to really make them work in the winter and I think it’s all about finding the colour combinations that work for you. I like wearing this cream one with all black as it just feels simple and keeps it as the focal point of the outfit (although I did slip in a little animal print shoe for a bit of fun).

CABLE KNIT JUMPER + SILK TROUSERS

My Loulou Studio knit* with old ARKET silk trousers (these* are the best dupe I’ve found).

I always adore these two textures together - there’s something about the luxuriousness of the silk, with the outdoorsy heavy cable knit that just SINGS to me. If you haven’t given it a go then I highly, highly recommend. I feel like they are two things that *most* of us will have in our wardrobes so why not give it a go!? Some kind of silky PJ-bottom like trouser with a cable knit, in a deeper colour will read a little more formula but still be gorgeous (imagine a black trouser with a navy knit!), or a paler combination like this feels a bit more relaxed. It’s a great one for working from home in because it’s so comfy, but so chic at the same time.

DENIM SHIRT + KNITTED WIDE LEG TROUSERS

A secondhand denim shirt I got from Vinted (originally from COS*), those MANGO trousers* that are actually on sale right now, Flattered pumps* and Lie Studios necklace*.

Ah come on - I had to sneak some denim in there SOMEWHERE! My thinking with this outfit was to take a classic jeans and knitted jumper look, but turn it on it’s head - so sticking to denim on the top-half only, and knitwear on the bottom. And it works! It really works. In fact this might be my second favourite outfit I made here (the first one pips it to the post - just! - these knitted trousers really were a great buy for me!). It’s pretty comfy and a little preppy, so I made sure to keep some classic elements with the ballet pumps and my chunky necklace for extra polish.

Selfishly I love doing posts like this as they give me something to refer back to whenever I’m low on outfit-making juice, so expect to see these crop up in future outfit diaries! Anyways, I hope they give you some ideas and encourage you to have a dig around your trouser department and dust off some of your non-denim styles.

Anna x