Let's talk Clothes.

Let's talk clothes. Gentlemen, look away lest you get bored.

When my husband and I first started dating and he would visit me in Calgary, my home town, he would often comment that everyone looked like "hobos." He couldn't get over the yoga pants and the Uggs and the sweatshirts during winter, or the short shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops during summer. He was disturbed by all the bare legs with skirts. No nylons? No tights?

Now, I get it. Having lived in London for about three years, there are certain things I used to love, that I just don't wear anymore. My eyes bleed, just like his must have, when I walk from the plane into the Calgary airport.

After a bit of trial and error, and having no patience for faffing about in the morning, wondering what to wear, I have developed a bit of a uniform so that I don't stand out like a sore thumb or, let's face it, a tourist.

Having a really good wardrobe of basics is key to this.  From that wardrobe, you can grab pretty much anything, and it will work.


Most days, I roll with dark wash skinny jeans,

Me+Em

and either a great blazer and tee or button down shirt,

Mango

or any variety of sweaters if it's a bit cooler.

COS

ME+EM.

Generally, I finish the look with ankle boots. I currently have four pair; they are a bit of an obsession. I have shopped many other places for them, but Clarks generally does the trick.

Clarks

Having a classic trench on hand is always a good idea as it puts a bit of polish into any outfit and protects against the milder elements,

Hobbs

And a wool coat is a must; for those really damp days, there is nothing better to keep you warm.

Massimo Dutti

For rainy, windy days, a nice waterproof jacket is a necessity. 

Barbour

I have about four casual dresses in rotation for when I am PMSing and don't want to squeeze my belly into jeans. I wear them with ankle boots, flats or knee boots - depending on my mood and the weather - and, if more than a couple inches above the knee, black tights. This is essential. It is not done to show a lot of leg, unless you are from Essex. If the dress falls below the knee, feel free to wear skin coloured nylons. 

Hobbs

 Monsoon

Phase Eight

Flats are great to have. Having one dressy pair...

And one casual pair will do the trick.

M Gemi

And if you have a classic pair of black pumps, you can dress up any outfit, even jeans and a sweater.

M Gemi

Knee boots are perfect for Autumn and Winter - for keeping warm, but also keeping an outfit put together.

Clarks

A classic cross body bag is essential. If you do it right, it will go with everything, and it will be the one bag that you return to, so that the necessities of your life, like lip balm, lip gloss, kleenex and your house keys are always with you.

Lamb 1887

And when you have a LOT of junk to carry, like your laptop, or your library books, or your latest shopping spree that you don't want your husband to notice, a tote is perfect.

Cuyana

And, of course, once you have a good basic wardrobe, you can jazz it up with more seasonal, trendy items, if you choose.

Ultimately, it is not any more difficult or time consuming to throw on a pair of nicely fitting jeans, a sweater, and some boots, than it is to pull on some yoga pants, a sweatshirt, and some tennis shoes. 

And I promise you: it feels a whole heck of a lot better.