3 Simple Styling Secrets for the Lazy Sewist

Now, as a streetwear designer, I may have found a loophole in the system. I try to make lounging around in sweatpants and oversized jumpers a “thing” so I can live an eternal life of comfort. I truly believe comfort should come first in fashion, because style and confidence can be read on someone’s face and without feeling at ease, the task to project my fashionista persona is going to be that much more difficult. That being said, I have come to acknowledge rocking up to a client meeting with thousands of pounds on the table in my boyfriend’s sweatshirt and oversized mom jeans may come across as missing the mark on professional presentation. As a woman running two businesses, the last thing I’d like to be mistaken as is someone clinging onto her student style. There is a fine line I continue to walk, but I’ve acquired some lazy girl styling hacks to keep me on the side of looking intentionally put together and not “rolled out of bed following a mega house party last night where I got red wine drunk, not white wine drunk, yagetme?” - yes, those days are long gone. Mostly.

Roll your sleeves

Although an essential tweak for fellow lovers of oversized style, a simple rolled sleeve can work on a chic shirt, blouse or tunic too. Exposing those daring wrists that may be home to a bracelet or two that would otherwise get lost in the overwhelm of a cuff. It can also add silhouette to a look with a slimmer wrist extending from underneath a bulkier rolled sleeve, elongating your limbs and drawing the eye down the full length of your arms. It’s also a great technique when layering. Roll the sleeve of a jumper to expose the print of a shirt underneath to add interest to your outfit and celebrate each unique garment appropriately. Yes, I want you to see the thought I put in to each and every layer, a-thankyou.

Tuck your tops

Whether you have a delicious design detail on the waistband of your me-made trousers, want to suggest that “Yes, there is a figure under here!” or simply have a longline top that could do with some proportion revision so it doesn’t drown you (where are my shorter ladies at?!), a tucked top can transform a fit and is a totally simple styling technique. Again, when working with layers, you could tuck a pullover whilst keeping the hem of your blouse underneath loose to offer textural or colour contrast. Also, to avoid over-tucking or unsightly bulk as you stuff your hoodie into your jeans (we grow out of nappies for a reason), I choose to fold my thicker garments in half and just tuck them at the waistline. Therefore you avoid any fabric bunching and it’s so much easier to handle and replicate following a trip to the loo! Yes, these are the quick styling hacks that matter in my life. Everybody pees, friends!

Dress like a crayon

Okay, so you may have seen the title of this one before. If you’re familiar with @whatkatiesews and her innovative hashtag #dresslikeacrayon - you’ll know this styling tip well. The concept itself is as old as time, but the oldies are always the goodies, amirite?

Simply fling open the doors of your wardrobe and start pulling out pieces from the same colour palette. You can vary with tones, prints and textures but from head to toe, dressing in one colour will help your whole outfit look put together. All we simply have to do is exercise the toddler skills we developed by matching colours. Yes, I said it, even a toddler could master this! Though I advise you to not wear your pants on your head and to follow general guidelines for the functionality of the garment. That being said, layering a slip dress over a shirt never hurt anybody!

If there are some fashion trends you’ve been hesitant to try (underwear as outerwear, opposed to headwear that is) then colour matching is a great way to experiment. A complimentary tone is softer on the eye than a bold contrast. Think “Yes this is my black Ann Summers corset over my fuchsia pink office shirt, what of it?” opposed to “Oh do lean in closer, it’s my nude lace bodysuit on top of my me-made nude blouse, they look fab layered and matched in colour don’t they!” - as your friend enthusiastically nods at your genius styling prowess.

Ultimately, styling hacks are a great way to get more out of your wardrobe or fall back in love with your self sewn pieces as you experiment with new pairings and ways to enhance your garments. Fashion is fun and whatever the reason you got into sewing your own clothes, sometimes the process can cause us to ebb and flow with the love we hold for our existing closet. Try these tips and see how you get on. If you have any speedy styling hacks of your own, I’d love to hear them in the comments!