Who says sticking to one aesthetic has to be boring? We explore three ways to have a steady, stylish wardrobe.

Our clothes are intrinsically linked to our identities. They define the way we live, the way we move and even the way we feel. However, as much as we all love dressing up, thinking about what to wear is often the biggest hurdle to cross. What if we told you, that didn’t have to be the case? Cue in: uniform dressing. Yes, the contraptions we were all forced to wear as kids, but also a new way to approach a super streamlined wardrobe as a stylish grownup! In this piece, we’ll show you just how to build the perfect uniform across different tones, textures and themes.

THE TIMELESS APPEAL OF BLACK

Timeless, transcendent and perfect for everyone, the colour black will forever be king. Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, this hue never gets boring because of the endless possibilities in fabric choices and textures. The best place to start would be a black dress, be it long or little. While Audrey Hepburn’s elegant Givenchy sheath defined cocktail dressing for women in the 1960’s and beyond, legendary supermodel Naomi Campbell’s Azzedine Alaïa’s number updates this aesthetic with silk and velvet accents. Snazz up daytime looks like Zendaya by elevating classics. Just like the Dune star, wearing a pantsuit doesn’t have to be limited to a singular style, instead, opt for a versatile velvet number that can go from day to night.

A WORLD OF PRINTS

We know what you’re thinking, a closet full of prints? Absolutely. Not just an option for breezy weekends, it is an exciting way to brighten up other parts of your daily life. Rethink your workwear options by donning sharply cut silk pantsuits like this mixed media print set from Lisa Folawiyo’s Coll 1 2021. With Banke Kuku’s pyjama sets, super chic work-from-home attire can easily double as a standout cocktail hour look with the snap of a stiletto! The best way to avoid a print clash is to balance out colours and motifs with lighter at the top and heavier at the bottom. Alternatively, you can throw in neutral tone blocks in between, like Rihanna did with this white tank, for a more relaxed look. Print blazers and tops can also be balanced out with denim, as long as the patterns take centre stage.

TOO COOL FOR PREP SCHOOL

Yewande Ogundare

Yewande Ogundare

Hafsah Mohammed

Hafsah Mohammed

Make like an upper east side collegiate and go all into this preppy trend. The fundamentals of this wardrobe are classic items like bright-hued polos, tweed jackets/ suiting, crisp white shirts, streamlined denim, sharp blazers and chic cardigans. Like fashion blogger Yewande, shine in a monochrome look perfect for Wimbledon or a day spent sailing. For workwear, make monochrome work by exploring warm, fall tones in single shades. Taking inspiration from Hafsah Mohammed’s cosy look, a caramel skirt with accordion pleats pairs wonderfully with a mocha coloured blazer and faux animal skin accessories.

David Nwachukwu
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