Why it’s good to experiment with outfit combinations & try something new
Photo: Claire Pepper. Hair& makeup: Louise Heywood
What stops you introducing a new silhouette or style to your wardrobe, or trying a new combination of clothes? Fear of looking bad? Uncertainty? I love uniform dressing, having a series of grab-and-go outfits to rely on, but every now and then I get the urge to experiment and try something different. The other day I surprised Mr That’s Not My Age by trying a new Yoga With Adriene session. Since the pandemic began we’ve basically followed two of her 30-day programmes, on repeat. So much so that I practically know all the words and can chant along with Adriene. Yogi’s Choice. And, yes, I am a creature of habit.
When it comes to getting dressed without reverting to autopilot, switching up the everyday routine has benefits. Creating new winning combinations and unleashing old clothes; like these fancy Jaeger trousers I haven’t worn for years, can lift the spirits. As we’ve found during the pandemic, little things can make a big difference. I’m quite chuffed with this outfit combination brought together courtesy of my new navy leather shirt. When we ran the subscriber offer with Hobbs, they very kindly offered me a thank you gift. Rather than add another pair of stompy boots to my collection I rummaged around online for something else, something new that I would keep for a very long time and found the super-chic navy shirt. So far I’m mostly wearing it as more of an overshirt or jacket (I’m not saying the word!), and it looks good with a jersey roll neck, too:
Photo: Hobbs
According to the website Psychology Today, ‘trying something new opens up the possibility for you to enjoy something new.’ Discovering a new item like the navy overshirt, or experimenting with a new combination of old clothes can bring joy, boost confidence and freshen up our image. And as most of us are spending more time at home, going through our closets, styling up an array of eye-catching outfits and placing the items we no longer wear in a bag ready to donate to charity, is something we do have control over, right now. And it might just help lift the lockdown mood and stop us being bored with the same old, same old ensembles. Variety is the spice of life. Give trying something new, a go. What’s the worse that can happen?
More on fashion and wellbeing and ‘wearing your happy’ HERE.
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STYLE NOTES: the polka dot scarf was bought from Universal Works (menswear) a couple of years ago and is still available in a range of colours. Silk blouse underneath is an old Diane von Furstenburg. Fancy pants are from Jaeger – which has just been bought by M&S! Velvet mules are LK Bennett.
In 2019, when I first showed these sale bargain mules, a reader asked if they were comfortable. And apologies for not responding sooner (!) They’re fine around the house and certainly upgrade the WFH outfit but they’re not footwear for walking any distance in. Which turns them into a posh slipper and rules them out as a grown-up style choice. Take my advice and stick to shoes that can hold the foot in place rather than pavement-flappers.
Discussion (25 Comments)
Kerin says:
Great colors on you! I’m doing this month’s YWA for the first time and am loving it — a little thing we can control, like changing up clothes we already own.
Goddessinthedetails says:
You look wonderful in that outfit and the warmth of the orange suits you. I must confess I’m giving up fashion, whether new or tried and trusted, and looking for a dressmaker who can turn me out a uniform/turn me into Michele Oka Doner (introduced on here, iirc). I have it all planned; I just lack the technician for when lockdown ends.
Steele says:
Love this look! The mix of prints and textures (leather, velvet!) makes it dynamic.
Karen McBride says:
Wonderful post, very fun and inspiring outfit. I tend to like dressing in my same old-same old, grab and go — especially in these days of retirement and Nothing Much Happening. When I do pull new things together, it’s so hard to find a balance! What looks good on top doesn’t scale to the bottom or vice versa. I’ve wished more than once for a Dresser, someone with an eye for color and scale and a source for clothes that work. So hard to find the right fit. I like seeing what you come up with.
Rach with an E says:
I’m sure you could find an independent Dresser online? Or a very honest, but diplomatic, friend? I’d be very honest but, in my 50s, still sometimes lack tact!
Nicola Codd says:
Made me think maybe I should have a play around with my working at home wardrobe at the weekend as most thing shaven’t seen the light of day for months and that’s not good!
Margaret Fiddes says:
I love this outfit on you !
I’m terrible for hanging on to clothes which I can’t easily replace and they always give me a boost when I discover a new look ! Scarves are a great accessory to change things up .Judith Diment MBE says:
I love this outfit, have just bought a beautiful Jaeger navy collarless jacket but your article remined me I have a beautiful brown suede shirt which I will style inspired by your blog! So glad that Jaeger has been bought by M&S!
Robyn says:
I so agree, and you do it beautifully. But I really dislike picking out what to wear. I’m outfit challenged. I work outside the home three days a week and to eliminate decision fatigue I have a “uniform”. Boring? Yes, but it saves me a lot of headaches.
Oh I love a grab-and-go uniform as much as the next woman, Robyn. Takes the stress out of getting dressed.
But then it’s good to experiment, to find new winning combinations…You are so right. What I should do is take some time when I’m not hurried and put together outfits, and then write them down because I’ll forget what I’ve put together.
Debs Chowney says:
Liking that look and orange is a colour that definitely has a happy feel. As for the jacket, I checked the definition – an outer garment extending either to the waist or the hips, typically having sleeves and a fastening down the front – so no need for another name me thinks.
I’ve taken to customizing some of my clothing this last year and have added braid or changed bland buttons for vintage ones with a bit more impact and have been making an effort to look the best I can, if only to visit the greengrocer or appear on a video call!
I have also, inspired by the crochet sequin look jacket that Esme Young wore on the Celebrity Great British Sewing Bee (and was way out of my budget), bought some sequin flowers to customize one of my jean jackets, as I feel the need to bring some bling to my daily look, if even to make someone smile and to give another life to a wardrobe item.
LOVE Esme’s style , she’s very good at adding a bit of bling and I know exactly the jacket you’re talking about…
I love this outfit- it’s very similar to my ‘go to outfits’ I make sure I dress up every day, or I lose my ‘spark’. I have a real assortment of jazzy trousers and I love them. I always buy from charity shops, or preloaded online, so that I know I’m not going to see anybody else wearing them! And, they look as fabulous with a smart jacket and polo, shirt and waistcoat (men’s are great), or just a plain colourful T-shirt. And, I do love a chunky boot too….
Great ideas as I love up-styling too. Plenty of clothes can be altered to fit the new relaxed vibes. I have altered quite a few dresses into shirts as so much more wear worn with trousers.
Just good to remind yourself what is hanging in the wardrobe that you once loved and give it life again.Sarah Tinsley says:
Love this outfit. I’ve never gone for patterned trousers but they look good on you. I do love orange and navy blue and that leather shirt is very tempting! Very delighted to hear M&S bought Jaeger – I’ve been searching eBay for Jaeger shirts ❤️
Beautiful colours on you, Alyson. I love everything but the flippers (flipflop/slipper hybrid?!) because I know they’d be a faff to keep on.
Went out food shopping today and someone stopped me to say they liked my style. Happy day. It’s ephemeral, I know, but we need some cheer.Mrs Tonia says:
Great outfit Alyson. Tawny tones with navy look great. Like the mix of textures too. And brocade trousers.
As you describe making an effort to dress with a bit more panache in these dreary days does help morale I find. And creating new combos from existing pieces. I started doing this over Christmas period. Making an effort to look more interesting for myself and hubby. Jewellery every day makeup too and experimenting with colour and texture.
From your example I can see adding brocade and leather jackets/skirts into the mixture. It’s all hanging there so I’m going to create occasions to get more dressed up. First up Bidens entering the White House. Next Burns night then Lunar New Year on February 12th Year of the Ox, following current Year of the Rat. Optimism needed even in small measures.I love the outfit, navy is such a wonderful colour. I usually gravitate to black but navy such a great change! And navy and black together works well too. Orange is my fav colour especially for accessories. During lockdown I try to wear my fun and more colourful clothes even when I’m going to my studio and will spend the entire day alone. And always jewellery. Lifts my spirits. I’ve let the make up mostly go because it just comes off on the masks anyway. Except for Zoom calls, then I even put on lipstick! Thanks for your posts. I really appreciate how you address recycling and sustainable actions in fashion too.
maudie says:
Tying in Jaegar and ‘secondhand’ – one of my pleasures is trawling ebay discovering beautiful vintage Jaegar pieces. Obviously my current generous size 12 is a size 16 in Jaegar vintage but I now have a lovely selection of midi pleated skirts and delicious wool/angora/cashmere coats. I hope M&S nurture and protect the integrity of the Jaegar brand.
Yvonne 
Suzanne 
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I love that your new piece gave new life to an old piece. That leather shirt (I hate “that word” too 🙂 ) is lovely.