How to Put Together a Last Minute Outfit

As we begin to emerge out of lockdown and into the next phase of the government's roadmap out of lockdown, the list of what we can do is beginning to get longer and with it a freedom and spontaneity that has been missing for practically over a year. Whilst this change is by no means a full reopening of the country, the new freedoms allowed has left people feeling excited, hopeful and, perhaps, even a little bit anxious. 

For many people across the country, working from home and closure of venues has meant that we've been spending much more time in our house than we are used to. We're used to picking up a pair of joggers and old top and haven't had to think much about our outfits beyond the obligatory "nice top" for a zoom call. But now with new opportunities to go out and meet up with friends, colleagues and families, the need to put together an outfit to go out in is much more prevalent and now much harder than it was a year ago.

If you're anything like us, you can be stood in front of the wardrobe trying to put together the perfect outfit for hours, so we thought we'd create our very own handy guide as to how to throw together a last minute outfit, to save you time and avoid stress over the coming months.

The key to casual is to have a few staple items in your wardrobe.

A good pair of jeans is an essential, and you can easily throw on a multitude of different tops and jumpers to create the ideal last minute outfit. If you want to achieve the ultimate casual look, there is no better pairing than a pair of jeans and a short sleeve t-shirt. The beauty of this pairing is it works all year round and can be paired with trainers, boots or sandals depending on the weather. If it's feeling a bit cooler you can pair with a cardigan or if the sun is out you can wear on its own, perhaps even with a cute summer skirt if the weather allows. If you're looking for something with a bit more character than your regular plain t-shirt, we have a gorgeous selection of women's t-shirts, including our brand new range that bring a pop of colour to your wardrobe.

If you're looking for a slightly more, spring/autumn friendly casual look, for those days when it isn't as warm as it could be, a staple blouse or shirt is always a handy item to have in your wardrobe. There's a reason Vogue sings the virtues of the classic white shirt, and the shirt/blouse and jeans look will never not be in fashion. The same can be said for jeans and a jumper, the ideal outfit for achieving the ultimate cosy casual look in seconds, ready to grab coffee with a friend or pick your children up from school.

It's not always casual occasions that you're in a rush for, sometimes you need to have a smart look for work or a night out without the time to fret over coordination.

Having a pair of smart trousers or a smart skirt in your wardrobe are essential for those last minute occasions. They can easily be paired with a pretty blouse and heels or loafers to be work ready. Black is always great for coordination and we always ensure we have a smart black skirt and pair of trousers in our wardrobe, so you can add a pop of colour at the top of your outfit. 

There are so many dresses available and you can easily create a last minute outfit that smoothly transitions from smart to casual. If you have a staple dress in your wardrobe, make sure you invest in a good blazer, that way you can slip it on over the top of your outfit for work and take it off in an evening to create the perfect smart casual look for the night ahead.