What you’ll need
- 1.Uniqlo cotton crewneck sweater ↗
- 2.NA-KD high-rise cropped suit pants (NA-KD) ↗
- 3.Amazon Essentials tall boots ↗
- 4.Uniqlo zip-up short jacket ↗
- 5.Madewell Essential Leather Belt, black ↗
- 6.Madewell Medium Perfect Belt, pecan ↗
- 7.Converse Chuck Taylor high tops ↗
- 8.Mango belted trench coat ↗
- 9.Polène Numéro Neuf Camel ↗
- 10.Naturalizer Vera sandals ↗
- 11.OAK + FORT rhinestone drop earrings ↗
- 12.Mango satin clutch ↗
- 13.Uniqlo striped cotton shirt ↗
- 14.Naturalizer Banks slingbacks ↗
- 15.DeMellier Midi New York bag ↗
- 16.Mango virgin wool coat ↗
- 17.Emprada Julia burgundy ankle boots ↗
- 18.Madewell silver chunky chain ↗
- 19.H&M houndstooth blazer ↗
- 20.JW PEI Selene burgundy bag ↗
- 21.Vehla Dixie sunglasses (Vehla) ↗
1. Choose the base outfit
Put on a cream crewneck sweater and straight black trousers. Check that the sweater can sit comfortably over a shirt and that the trouser legs work with your shoes. Tuck enough of the sweater to show the waistband. Use this base for each outfit to practice styling wardrobe basics without changing every piece.
Keep the same sweater and trousers for each look.
2. Look 1: add tall boots and a short jacket
Tuck the straighter trouser legs into tall black boots without forcing bulky fabric inside. Add a short casual jacket. Finish with a black belt, bag, and sunglasses if useful. Lydia uses a shearling-style jacket; a similar short layer you already own can work.
Tall boots and a shorter jacket make the first combination.
3. Look 2: switch to sneakers and a trench
Return to the base outfit. Add a tan belt, high-top canvas sneakers, and a trench-style coat. Carry a tan bag to repeat the belt color. Keep the trouser hems clear of the shoes so the layers do not bunch together.
Repeat the tan color in the belt and bag.
4. Look 3: change the shoes and jewelry for evening
Remove the daytime coat and sneakers. Add pointed or strappy heels, sparkly earrings, and a clutch. Lydia uses leopard heels; you can keep the same idea with a pair you own. This day to night outfit change keeps the sweater and trousers in place.
Dress up the base with heels and earrings.
5. Look 4: layer a shirt for work
Put a blue striped or white button-down under the sweater. Arrange the collar neatly, then add low-heeled shoes and a structured black bag. Finish with a tailored cream coat if the weather calls for it. Check that the sleeves and shoulders move comfortably.
A shirt underneath changes the neckline and formality.
6. Look 5: add a blazer and matching accessories
Return to the sweater and trousers without the shirt. Add low-heeled burgundy ankle boots, a necklace, and a relaxed checked blazer. Repeat the boot color in your bag. Take a quick photo of each completed outfit so you can reuse the combinations.
Repeat burgundy in the boots and bag.
Source & notes
The article follows the first five combinations from Lydia’s longer video. Frames show the real outfits; shopping alternatives are labeled next to each link.
Shopping options for the method; these are not all the creator’s exact items. Use what you own.
7 OUTFITS USING BASICS | HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR WARDROBE ↗
Video stills are credited to the original creator at each timestamp. Glow Upped is not affiliated with the creators.
