From wearing all black to a full head to toe neutral look, one thing is probably painstakingly clear; I love a good monochromatic outfit. They’re effortless, look timeless, and are a simple way to pull together an outfit. Given that neutrals are such a big trend at the moment, I thought I’d share some of my favourite neutrals picks for the colder months.
Wearing Celine sweater, Levi’s skinny jeans, Kindersalmon coat, FRANKiE4 sneakers, Oroton bag, Muru Jewellery necklace, Mejuri earrings
I’ll run through my outfit first before talking about a few other winter staples that have caught my eye. For a start, the one thing you can’t miss is this gorgeous coat from Kindersalmon. This is the latest addition to my wardrobe (kindly gifted by W Concept); it’s a classic robe style coat in a pale-toned beige. The length, the cut, and the quality and drape of the fabric make this feel like a very luxurious piece. I see myself wearing this mostly with lighter-toned neutral shades, but I also love how it contrasts when wearing an all black look too.
Perhaps my best pre-loved find yet has to be this #oldceline sweater. I got lucky and managed to snag this for under $200 (I have a feeling the seller forgot a ‘zero’) but I do like this one as an affordable alternative. It’s a classic crew neck so something I see myself having until it is riddled with holes, and the heavyweight nature of the wool makes this a practical choice for winter. The colour is almost a beige-toned grey, so I find it works best with the white, grey and black items in my closet, which means you’re probably likely to see me reaching for this one quite a lot. I’ve talked about my skinny jeans from Levis before, and despite not ticking all the boxes for me, I still find myself wearing them more often than not. If I learnt anything from my capsule wardrobe days, it’s that you learn to make do with what you have. At any rate, a good pair of white jeans is a no brainer in my year round wardrobe. I feel like they’re such a fresh look, and the skinny silhouette is right up my street.
Finally, we have the grey patent leather sneakers from FRANKiE4. These have become a go to when I’m dashing out to run some errands and want to wear something comfortable and light on the feet. The silhouette doesn’t feel too bulky – it’s actually quite streamlined – and the patent leather adds a bit of texture and helps to stop my outfit from falling flat. Those variations in texture are key if you’re planning on wearing a monochromatic look.
01 | the trench coat
I’ve talked at length about how a classic trench is such a staple in my own wardrobe, and I’ve been on the hunt for something a little more structured and oversized than the ones I have. There’s a few on my list but this one from Acne Studios has caught my eye a few times, and I noticed this morning that it’s also on sale. General rule of thumb with Acne is to size down as most of their styles tend to come up a little big, but basically I just see this as being the perfect trench coat complement to that crisp and clean Scandinavian aesthetic. For something a little more classic, M&S have a great affordable option, or if you prefer a slightly darker beige and something with less structure, then you may want to check out this one (that I also have) from Everlane.
02 | the wrap skirt
The weather in Sydney is mild enough that you can generally get away with wearing mini skirts right through to July, and my favourite way to wear them is always with a big snuggly sweater on top and a pair of pointed toe boots. To balance out the soft texture of my sweaters, I find a skirt with a bit of structure and detail is a great companion. This one’s a high street find from H&M that is excellent value for money. It’s 100% cotton, and has a denim-like appearance to the fabric, while feeling thick and sturdy. I have this in both the ecru and chestnut shades as it’s the style of skirt I always find myself coming back to, plus it’s a great one to have on hand for when it warms up too; just pair it with a little tank and some strappy sandals.
03 | the oversized blazer
Tailoring or just suiting in general is another one of those big trends that seems to be doing the rounds, but it’s a timeless style that you’ll have for years (assuming your taste remains steady). White suiting can be tough to pull off, but I find anything in a greige, camel or caramel tone to be universally flattering. This blazer from Pixie Market ticks all the boxes for me. The colour is divine, the silky texture adds an element of interest, and the fit is slightly boxy and oversized – perfect for pairing with a skinny or straight leg jean or some black tapered trousers. I also really love the look of this one from & Other Stories, just patiently waiting for the day they ship directly to Australia…
04 | the snuggly knit sweater
Rounding out my favourite neutrals picks for autumn and winter is a snuggly knit sweater. I live in these during the colder months and love how they can easily be dressed up or down. Probably the best affordable option that I’ve found is this lambswool sweater from Uniqlo (I bought this in the speckled pink), and for something that’s richer in tone, I love this one from The Great. My most worn sweater in my wardrobe is probably this one from Joseph, though this J.Crew rollneck is a pretty close match, plus I love that it’s 100% cotton and under $100. My favourite way to wear this sort of sweater is half tucked into jeans, trousers or worn loosely over skirts. Usually I’ll go for something a little more streamlined on my lower half, just to balance out the silhouette a bit.
