July 29, 2019

The Weekend Capsule Wardrobe From Topshop | AD

A weekend wardrobe made easy peasy: five pieces, three outfits

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I’ve recently vowed to ditch the tracksuit bottoms during the working week. It was a sad moment for me and my elasticated waistbands, but I’ve been trying to find some kind of uniform to crack out every day to get me into the productive swing of things each morning. Right now I’m leaning towards loose denim shorts and a soft t-shirts and linens. It’s nice, it’s simple and comfortable and currently I’m not lusting after my hole-ridden tracky-b’s just yet.

In a way it’s nice because it’s enabled me to see some distinction in my wardrobe between Monday to Friday and the weekends, with Saturday and Sunday being days where I feel like I want to wear something a little more than my usual jeans and t-shirt combo. My latest challenge? Making three outfits out of five items, which actually created the perfect set of pieces to wear at the weekend; seeing me through a day out on Saturday, an evening dinner that night and Sunday brunch, a.k.a) The perfect weekend set-up. It’s a fun one to try just to flex your outfit making muscle, but it’s also a great skill to hone for packing for your next weekend away. Here’s the weekend wardrobe that I created with Topshop’s* latest drop…

OUTFIT ONE: SATURDAY DAYTIME

It’s Saturday, it’s the weekend and you’re ready to ‘head out for a wander to town/the park/the beach/a family shindig/the pub with your mates/do your long list of errands and clean your home’ (let’s be real here) – please delete as appropriate. The main aim for me at the weekend is to be comfortable. I don’t want to look as slouchy as I tend to when I’m working from home, so I like to upgrade my cotton t-shirts, to a silk shirt (OOOOHHH!), and ditch my trainers where possible for a summer sandal. An outfit that could see me through all of the above scenarios, except cleaning which I do in my pants and an old vest top – sorry neighbours.

The star of the show here is this new 100% Silk Ivory Shirt* (also available in black*), which is just divine. You lot know that I love a silk shirt; they are smart enough to wear to the office, but casual enough for the weekend and nice and light to see you through the summer while also being a good option for layering in the winter with a jumper, jacket or cardigan over the top. I love the detailing on it. The balloon sleeves give a slightly vintage vibe and the slight dropped hem at the back makes it perfect ‘French Tucking’ material. Here I’ve paired it with my favourite denim style that Topshop offer – the Raw Hem Straight Leg Jeans in Mid Blue*; a straight leg style with a bit of stretch (my fave), and the Haven Burgundy Flat Sandals*, which are nice and comfy and go with every single outfit you try on.

SHOP THE LOOK

OUTFIT TWO: SATURDAY EVENING

I don’t always swap around my outfits from day to night and you can often find me out for dinner in whatever blue jean and t-shirt ensemble I had on earlier, probably trying to disguise the fact that I spilt lunch down my lap with the strategic placing of a napkin, but – sometimes it’s nice to change things up. These days I’ve found myself wearing dresses more than ever and I’m pinning that onto two things. One, the U.K has turned tropical and our lack of air conditioning makes the ability to wear any type of clothing at all a challenge and dresses are your best bet, and two, I’ve found a long-term hair removal solution that means that I’m not shaving my legs over the sink with my Uber waiting outside for me whenever I decide to wear one.

So, a dress it is! The Topshop Rope Midi Slip Dress* to be exact. A slip dress is a great starting point if jeans and a t-shirt is your happy place because the length tends to be quite long and covering and the fit extremely comfortable. If you were wearing body-con dresses in the early 2010’s, then it’s all about the slip dresses now. The spaghetti strap gives them that dressy vibe, so I tend to pair mine with more casual accessories; bags with acrylic accents like this Grace Tortoiseshell Acrylic Grab Bag* which is extremely adorable, or a straw bag and always flats, unless I’m at a wedding or event, so again the Haven Burgundy Flat Sandals* are just the ticket.

SHOP THE LOOK

OUTFIT THREE: SUNDAY BRUNCH

Let me set the scene. You’re still harbouring a food baby from the previous night, but the rumblings have set in and you manage to squeeze in a bit of a lie-in before you head out for food. What a win. If I can get the three ‘B’s in on a Sunday – brunch, bed and a good book – then I’m one happy bunny. A good Sunday involves minimal time in actual clothing and maximum time in pyjamas, so I’m all for recycling previously items to piece together an outfit that’s comfortable enough to eat a full English breakfast in, but feels like something new.

Enter the Topshop Silk Shirt* again because I can’t get enough of it, and this time round why not wear it over the top of last night’s Rope Midi Slip Dress*? I love wearing a shirt over a dress because it gives you layering options – too hot? Just whip it off – but also helps to take the formal level down a few notches of whatever you have on underneath. Turning a dress into a skirt? I know. Revolutionary. But it is a good styling trick to have in your back pocket for extending the versatility of any dresses you own in your capsule, and a fab one to dig out when it comes to packing. Pair it with your Haven Flat Sandals* that go with E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G and your bag from the night before, or something like the Salcombe Straw Grab Bag* if you need something roomier, get your brunch in and then get back as soon as you can for an afternoon date with your bed and a good book. DREAMY.