Fashion maths: how one new item can whoop up your wardrobe
Photos: Claire Pepper
I love finding a new winning combination. These Acne boots have unleashed a whole host of wardrobe possibilities. Experimenting with clothes is the way to create a handful of get-up-and-go outfits, a range of options that make life easier in the morning. Adding one new item and ‘shopping your wardrobe’ (otherwise known as wearing your old clothes) is more sustainable and satisfying. This makes good style sense. Rather than shopping for the sake of it, you’re shopping with a purpose and that is to whoop up your existing wardrobe.
Hair & Make-up: Louise Heywood
Style notes: The APC denim jacket I bought in Paris several years ago, the MiH white Mimi jeans are last summer’s sale bargain, best worn in winter. The beautiful, pale blue bag is my old Ally Capellino and the scarf is Universal Works. The grey coat was a gift from Jaeger (a couple of years ago), the boots a gift from FarFetch.
Should the one item you need to do the fashion maths be a white denim jacket, J. Crew’s is now half price (available HERE).
Top marks for an old-new, feel-good combination – and an outfit that’s not khaki and navy.
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Discussion (30 Comments)
Cathy E says:
I think that might be the grey coat of my dreams…. please can you tell me what it’s called? Ive tried looking online but can’t find it. Thank you!!
Elizabeth green says:
This look is great, pulled together, classy and casual without looking sloppy. Love every garment and I definitely have boot and bag envy!
Jackie C says:
What a great looking outfit. Love love the white jeans with grey coat! Dare I?
I’ve been thinking about wearing white jeans at this time of year but don’t have the confidence. This post has made me think again. Thanks Alisonmaudie says:
Absolutely beautiful! An amazing photo of you…. great hair cut and colour and as Jodi says, the lighter hair and clothing shades really suit you. An aspirational look! I feel a major clothing clearout and wardrobe shop coming on……………………
Yoomanyshoes says:
I had that lovely coat 2 winters back! Jaeger boiled wool patch pocket. Sadly it was just too huge on me so I sold it and replaced it with a very similar slimmer jigsaw coat ( half price) which I wear to death. The colour/ texture combo is great. Had it on today with a cobalt top and grey suede boots not unlike yours Alyson!
Funny, you should say that, Toomanyshoes – I nearly took this coat to the charity shop but then I tried layering it over another jacket and decided to hold on. The looser, cocoon shape also makes it good for riding my bike in, in winter. (Not so glamorous with a reflective gilet over the top in the dark!)
Love the color of the boots. Not something I would usually consider. Thanks for broadening my horizons!
Isobel says:
Oh so pretty! To my eyes, the jacket and bag look a pale minty-green! I love the Liberty silk scarf in your pics below, but I already have a lovely cotton one in their vintage Clementina (in a colourway that would go perfectly with your outfit : turquoise, sky-blue, red and a touch of buff-yellow, on the palest blue/minty-green?! background) that I must wear more often.
The Common Projects sand-suede Chelsea boots are what I really need to whoop up my wardrobe, and they look so comfortable.
Thanks, Alyson, for the inspiration!Well spotted Isobel, my denim jacket is actually a very pale blue colour but it often looks white. Particularly in the photos/sunlight and so I thought it was easier to say it was white (or maybe I just wish it was!)
And I know the ballgown on Princess Margaret, in your post on Dior, is white, but the longer I look at it, the more mint-blue it becomes!!
Mrs Tonia says:
Outfit looks great practical and chic at once. The red dotted scarf adds a touch of colour and fun. And I totally agree about the shopping of the wardrobe. Something I’m trying to do for economising as well as being less consumerist and more green. Having nice well-fitting clothes in the first place helps. I do as you clearly do Alyson. But it is also a change in state of mind I feel. Like embracing growing out dyed hair without feeling worried about how one looks and adequately confident. A changed mind set is required so one doesn’t feel you must be wearing new clothes. I look at what’s available then at what I own and how I can combine those garments and tweak them to look reasonably stylish.
Great combination with the white jeans – you have to love a denim jacket. I’ve had mine for over 20 years and wore it all weekend! To slow fashion….chin chin. @frske
Yes to slow fashion with a twist. My denim jackets went long ago given to my sons’ babysitter who was happy to have them. I recently found from depths of storage a red linen jeans type jacket with a print lining. Washed and ironed it. May try it this spring with lots of strong primary colours back in fashion. If it doesn’t work I shall pass it on. Sadly white or light jeans not for me and my un slender thighs. The lightest I go is a beige khaki or olive tones. But they do look good here on Alyson. Certainly introducing some lighter colours at this time of year feels spring like and makes a change. I’m in a light grey cashmere crew neck today moving into a lighter palette. Keep coming with sound advice as here.
This is the blog I’ve been looking for – stylish, and classy – with edge. You and my good friend Fiona F ( stylish, and classy with edge, too!) are my influencers. Thanks from a recently turned 60 year old who loves to whoop up the wardrobe with something that’s going to earn its place in my wardrobe. Feel lucky I’ve discovered you, Alyson, thank you .
Deborah Richards says:
Only yesterday, surveying the wardrobe (up coming ‘do’ to celebrate a book I wrote for a charity) determined (a) use from what I already had (b) only buy to fill a genuine gap! Habits are changing thanks to this blog! The conclusion was a ‘neutral but stylish’ bag. Then I see and exclaim, befuddling SO, “that’s the bag I need”. Could you fill me in please and possibly add a pointer or two? That’s Not My Age inspired/aspired hair change progresses well too!
Michelle Del says:
I never thought to wear my jean jacket layered with another jacket. Brilliant! Will be experimenting with this look. Also love white jeans all year – don’t just save them for summer!
Claire Massarelli says:
I have a tan cashmir coat that I have had for 20 yrs. our weather in Winter in Canada has been mostly -5 to – 15 for the last month. Never thought to wear it with a jean jacket or heavy sweater as it is not a coat for our cold winters. Should have known better. Thanks, loved this newsletter.
Great combination with the white jeans Alyson – I love a good denim jacket. I have never worn mine under a coat so will definately have a try to see what it looks like – I’m always nervous it’ll add a few pounds more. which, wouldn’t be a good look for me.
Alison
xx
Carrol 
Jodi Brown 
Annabel Ross Jones 
Tricia Ryan 
Lizzie 
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I couldn’t agree more!! That’s why it’s fun to update our closet every once in awhile. It seems to open up new possibilities!!
I love all the neutrals with the pop of color as the scarf!!
XOXO
Jodie