How To Dress Casually And Still Look Fabulous

Cold days demand a more casual approach to dressing where ‘cosy’ and ‘comfy’ spring to mind. Trick is to look decent doing it, says Laura Craik

- Laura Craik

Saturday morning, and I haven’t got a thing to wear. Of course, this isn’t strictly true: I have a whole wardrobe of things to wear, not to mention several heaving drawers. Yet, as I contemplate the day ahead – coffee shop, errand run, movie – the perfect outfit eludes me. Um, not even the perfect outfit. Any outfit, in fact.

For all the lip service paid to finding the ideal work ensemble, many women would agree that it’s actually what to wear during their downtime that really presents the bigger conundrum. Work appropriate jackets, blouses and pants at least provide some structure. Is it any wonder that, without them, many women end up feeling just a little lost?

Nor does the much-vaunted ‘off-duty actress’ look provide solace: what works on a slender starlet racing through an airport rarely works on the rest of us. They might live in skinny jeans, but they’re not the comfiest to wear when you’re kicking back and hanging loose.

Aah, but how loose is too loose? I’m still pondering that and tweaking my look, so I don’t appear too scruffy to be seen by my neighbour or anyone I know. This is what I’ve figured out so far...

RULE 1

It’s all in the jeans

Sorry, but it is. Jeans fall out of fashion, just like everything else, and it’s hubris to imagine otherwise. By all means, be devoted to your ‘trusty pair’ – just retire them for a few seasons if, for example, they happen to be a dark wash, or overly ripped and distressed. This winter, your jeans should, ideally, be mid-blue and falling to the ankle. For anyone who felt a little too scruffy in ripped jeans, these ones by Mango, R949, 32 to 42, will be manna.

RULE 2

Search for the perfect white plimsolls