Fashion influencers use their stylish appearance and high-quality content to build successful personal brands and clothing lines, as well as lifestyle blogs and partnerships with major fashion labels.
2023’s billowing motifs are more sophisticated than ever, featuring balloon sleeves attached to pleated shirt dresses at McQueen and perfectly puffy gowns at Rodarte, respectively. Meanwhile, cargo pants have been updated into tailored silhouettes with exciting pocket placements.
1. Basic T-Shirt
Basic T-Shirts are essential pieces in most wardrobes and an integral component of minimalist fashion trends that have become incredibly fashionable in recent seasons. A good quality plain t-shirt makes an excellent staple piece that keeps you looking fashionable without feeling outdated.
As T-shirts were first popularised by workers like miners and stevedores in the 1940s, their modern form gained widespread recognition during that decade. Soon afterward, swashbucklers and adventurers such as James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause (1955) adopted them as uniforms. By the first decade of this century, however, they began becoming decorated with slogans or designs with political or social undertones adorning them further.
As well as considering the style and fabric construction of T-shirts, it’s also essential to carefully consider their fabric and construction. Common material choices for T-shirts include cotton, polyester, or blends – choosing which will ultimately determine its comfort, versatility, and wearability. Cotton fiber length plays an integral part in how soft and comfy a shirt feels; shrinkage rates and yarn thickness should also be considered.
Fabric selection should consider thread count (18 singles, 24 singles or 30 singles). This gives a luxurious feel while being more breathable than synthetics which tend to stiffen up more. Furthermore, selecting one suitable to the climate in which it will be worn is essential as different temperatures require different fabrics.
2. Sheer Tops
Sheer tops are made from partially or entirely see-through fabric designed to show a glimpse of your outfit beneath them. While this barely-there trend may seem daunting at first, you can always layer for additional coverage and to make it appear more sophisticated – adding layers such as camis, tanks, or bralettes will create an effortlessly feminine yet seductive ensemble perfect for girls’ nights out!
Pair a sheer blouse or crop top with a high-waist skirt to create an eye-catching and chic ensemble. This will help accentuate your curves while creating a sleek silhouette. Finish it with dainty necklaces, layered bracelets, stackable rings, or a small crossbody bag, and accessorize accordingly! Choose neutral hues like white, black, or nude for timeless and versatile ensembles, or take risks and choose colors that compliment your skin tone for something bolder.
A sheer top pairs well with jeans or corduroy pants for casual everyday wear. Simply pair it with a tank or cami in the same hue and an adorable blazer to complete an ensemble ideal for meeting friends for coffee, running errands around town, or going out on the weekend.
If you’re feeling bolder, consider choosing a sheer top in a vibrant color, such as this green Sheer Sleeved Top from Miu Miu. Designed for summer parties and featuring long bishop sleeves with curled edges, its lightweight material provides comfort. Lace detailing at its neckline and sleeves adds a feminine charm paired with skirts.
3. White Knee-High Boots
Knee-high boots are an essential fall staple, and fashionistas are expanding beyond classic black styles with white offerings this season. Their fresh hue makes them equally at home with summer dresses as with formal winter silhouettes, making your legs appear longer even with short hemlines.
If you’re ready to try the trend, invest in a pair of elegant heels like Stuart Weitzman’s version with an elastic gusset in the instep that makes putting on and taking off easy while providing a polished yet casual appearance.
Journee offers another fantastic pair of angular heels suitable for all shoppers in wide and extra-wide calf sizes, making these perfect all-day shoes. While more costly than its Weitzman equivalent, they feature cushioned interior pockets for comfort while their sturdy construction ensures a long wear time.
Budget-minded customers will appreciate DREAM PAIRS’ wide calf white boots as a more budget-friendly alternative. Their fit, comfort, and design (with an internal phone pocket!) have received rave reviews on Amazon, making these an edgy addition to jeans and sweaters in the office or for weekend fun wear with miniskirts!
Lulus offers stylish alternatives to basic options. These boots feature off-white vegan leather pointed toes with 14″ shaft height and 15″ circumference measurements, an elastic gusset instep closure for ease of putting on and taking off, and a walkable 2-inch block heel.
5. Boiler Suit
A boiler suit (commonly referred to as a jumpsuit or overall) is an all-in-one garment consisting of top and pants connected with straps at the back. It was initially developed for steam locomotives to keep flammable debris and sparks from entering through fire holes, similar to rompers but more fitted from the shoulders onwards. Stella McCartney modernizes this classic menswear piece by adding feminine accents for an eye-catching modern style while keeping functionality as the focus.
These pieces serve different functions, so their color and fabric options vary accordingly. Some are designed to shield wearers from paint spillage or oil leaks, while others resist flames, welding sparks, or corrosion-producing environments. Depending on the intended use, the composition may range from cotton blends, synthetics, industrial-grade fabrics, or fire-retardant twill polyethylene materials.
At stores, you can find an assortment of boiler suits from contemporary women’s ready-to-wear labels like & Other Stories to more utilitarian offerings from Dickies and Carhartt. The latter often boast more casual styles for wearing casual shoes such as plimsolls or Stan Smiths during the day; or can easily be dressed up for evening events by adding heels and a clutch.
Another alternative is designing your boiler suit from a pattern. This is easily doable by any intermediate or confident beginner sewer, and the results can be very stylish. For an industrial flair look, you may have the seams finished with decorative topstitching or flat-felled seams. We used Alice & Co Patterns’ Intrepid Boiler Suit and oatmeal-washed linen from Blackbird Fabrics to craft our modern, fitted version of this practical yet versatile piece.
