As a fashion editor, I'm used to being asked a lot of questions about what people should wear for certain events. Whether it's checking to see if an outfit meets a dress code requirement, sifting through options to wear to a special occasion or searching for the next It buy, I've got an answer. But the one outfit I've always found trickiest to advise on is the everyday uniform.
I find the concept of simple, daily outfit building trickier to style than all-out glamour, as by its nature, what we wear every day has to meet practical requirements (and we all know that killer heels might look good, but they won't last all day). So as I stood in front of my wardrobe on another Monday morning deciding between my usual comfy knit or sharp suit, I racked my brain for a solution that would make getting ready in the morning easier, something that would take the guesswork out of outfit planning and result in a look that would work 100% of the time. And thanks to a new TikTok fashion trend, I can confidently say I've actually found it.
I stumbled across the "2x2 outfit formula" while scrolling through my feed recently, and it is a certified game changer. The concept is simple but effective: Take two pieces of "formal wear," e.g., a blazer, a pair of tailored trousers or some glossy boots, and pair them with two pieces of dressed-down casual wear, like a T-shirt, denim jacket or a jersey sweater. With me so far? It's the very definition of smart casual, and I promise you the results always make sense.
Keeping this failsafe formula in mind, I rounded up some of my favourite new-in finds and put them together in some easy, everyday 2x2 outfits that might help you the next time you get stuck with what to wear to the office or on the weekend. Try it and see. It just might make the clothes at the back of your wardrobe feel inspiring again.
1. CASUAL: STRIPY KNIT AND JEANS, SMART: LOAFERS AND SHOULDER BAG
SHOP THE LOOK:
Arket always knows how to make striped jumpers feel modern.
The only way I'm wearing jeans now: high-waisted and straight-legged.
Timeless elegance that will never go out of style.
Taupe and brown make for a nice change from black, but these also come in spring-ready ivory.
2. CASUAL: JERSEY SWEATSHIRT AND BOMBER JACKET, SMART: A-LINE SKIRT AND SLINGBACKS
SHOP THE LOOK:
Sorry, denim jackets. Fashion people are all rushing to buy bomber jackets right now.
The grey crew-neck is an underrated classic.
Don't fancy trying the cargo-pants trend? Zara has offered a very stylish alternative.
In case you missed the memo, we're trading in blister plasters and aching feet and investing in a pair of kitten-heel slingbacks.
3. CASUAL: TRAINERS AND CROSSBODY BAG, SMART: WAISTCOAT AND TAILORED TROUSERS
SHOP THE LOOK:
Wear as part of a full suit, with jeans, or mix and match with tailored trousers in another shade.
Add an oversized shirt and flat sandals for another take on high/low dressing.
A crowd-pleasing best seller for very good reason.
When it comes to the most popular trainers of 2023, it's a clear toss-up between the Adidas Samba or the New Balance anything.
4. CASUAL: SUEDE JACKET AND JEANS, SMART: SILK CAMISOLE AND ANKLE BOOTS
This might be the sign you needed to shelve your denim jacket for something a little more polished.
This is going to come into its own on summer evenings.
The perfect pair of cropped jeans to make the most of your ankle boots.
I haven't stopped thinking about these boots since they first landed. Consider these the new classic.
5. CASUAL: KNIT DRESS AND SLOUCHY BAG, SMART: TRENCH COAT AND KNEE-HIGH BOOTS
SHOP THE LOOK:
The latest trench to land on the Mango site is a seriously good one.
An easy, knit dress can easily be dressed up for evenings out, dressed down for weekends, or made office-ready with the right pair of shoes.
The runways have spoken. This spring is all about slouchy, XXL bags that are larger than life.
I never get tired of sophisticated knee-high boots.
Up Next: Mark My Words, This Frankie Shop Jacket Is Going to Be Everywhere This Spring
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