Outfits

How to Make Casual Pieces (Distressed Jeans, Backpack, Beanie) Look Smart

It was only after I saw these photos that I realised just how casual (slouchy?) half the pieces were in this outfit: distressed jeans, backpack, beanie… hardly what you’d put on for a day out exploring a town when you’re an any-excuse-to-dress-up kind of girl. If I’d added dirty old sneakers and a parka then it would definitely have been the sort of outfit my mother would tut at (love ya, mum) – and the sort of outfit I’d walk my (non-existent) dog in.

But by adding a smart, longline black coat, heeled ankle boots and leather gloves, it takes those slouchy pieces and makes them a lot smarter. The obligatory Winter 2015 accessory that is the tartan scarf (god help me) adds some extra colour and pattern… job done. Oh, and the town in question? Reading. For those of you expecting news on the blogger meet, I’ve finally been and hopefully found a venue to replace the one that fell through at the end of last year. Now if I can just get this one to confirm a date(!) we’re good to go.

Do you ever find yourself wearing a lot of items that are deemed slouchy or over casual… and then finding ways to smarten them up? What are your favourite slouchy pieces? Do share in the comments!

Coat: c/o La Redoute, Scarf: Asos (it seems to go in and out of stock – if it’s out of stock, this oversized one or this standard size one are the nearest I can find to it), Beanie: Asos, Sweater: La Redoute, Jeans: Asos (similar), Boots: c/o La Redoute, Backpack: Asos, Gloves: Next, Earrings: Topshop

P.S. Don’t forget to enter my Elvis & Kresse luxury bag giveaway – win a bag of your choice made of reclaimed fire hoses (yes, really!) up to the value of £200: