weekend wardrobe Archives - Kate Waterhouse

Easy ways to incorporate dressier items into your weekday and weekend wardrobe

25th June, 2023

I love dressing up but I always feel a little guilty to see certain parts of my closet go unworn until I have an excuse to wear something to event again. So, I’ve started trying to use more of my dressy pieces, think dresses, beautiful blouses, tailored pants, co-ord sets and suits, in my weekday and weekend wardrobe. Of course, not everything can be transformed into something decidedly more casual (a ballgown is still a ballgown after all!) but for the most part, I’ve been able to utilise so much more of my closet by incorporating a few styling tricks to make pieces seem more casual or daytime appropriate. Learning how to use dressy items in a more casual way ensures that you’re wearing more of your wardrobe, more of the time. Want to try it for yourself? Here are a few things you can do to give your event clothes a new lease on life.

Pair it with sneakers

The foolproof way to take the dressy vibe away from a particular look, whether it’s a dress or a top and pants is to pair it with a pair of white sneakers. The upside in doing this is that you can pretty much get away with wearing sneakers everywhere these days so it’s an easy fashion trick to adopt.

Add a fun accessory

Dressy for me calls for more glam accessories, but if I want to dial down the dressiness of something I’d usually wear to an event I usually pair it with something playful and fun. Think a pair of white framed sunglasses or a bag in a vibrant colour.

Switch out the top or bottom

Often you can take the dressiness out of an ensemble by switching out an element for something more casual. For example a dressy blouse paired with denim all of a sudden looks ready for brunch. Incorporating a casual feel somewhere tempers the elevated vibe of certain items, but without compromising on style.

Ditch the heels

If you want to make something more work and weekend ready, consider leaving your heels at home. There are plenty of other options to use, whether it’s a slide, a ballet flat or loafer, which are stylish but don’t feel so dressed up. Plus way more comfy, so there’s that!

Pop on a jacket

If you’ve got a dress that looks a little more night than day appropriate, consider popping on a jacket. You could pair it with a black blazer, a denim jacket or a leather jacket and it can instantly make it feel more casual, while maintaining a polished feel. Plus, this allows you to double the wear of your after dark looks.

Do you use your dressy items in your regular wardrobe? How do you do it?

Fashion, What I Wore

How to elevate your weekend wardrobe

28th May, 2023

Ahhh weekends. There’s nothing better than enjoying a little down time at the end of a hectic week and for me that also applies to my wardrobe. I’m all about comfort plus when it comes to what I wear an Saturday and Sunday but it doesn’t mean that I compromise on the style front.

I think you can still achieve a really nice balance between your fave trackies and being dressed to the nines (something I became familiar as soon as I started working from home). I’ve built up a great arsenal of casual pieces since I’ve become a mum (silk shirts just aren’t made for playgrounds) so this has in turn been able to translate into my off duty looks as well. Here’s how you can elevate your weekend wardrobe into something comfortable yet polished.

Revamp pieces with a white tee

A white t-shirt can be paired with so many things — wear it under a slip dress, pop it on with a skirt or tuck it into wide legged pants so it pays to have a few in your closet. It’s honestly the easiest thing to mix and match and will save you many wardrobe hassles over the weekend. I’ve also found teaming a white tee with dressier piece also tones them down a bit and makes it appropriate for casual day wear, expanding the use of your wardrobe even more.

Try a printed skirt

A beautiful printed skirt is a seriously comfortable option as far as weekend wear goes, but it looks so chic at the same time. Try a pleated skirt or a wrap style with a striking print for an of-the-moment outfit. Pair it with a lightweight sweater or a tee or singlet and a pair of sneakers and you’re ready for whatever the day throws at you.

Invest in great sneakers

I live in sneakers most of the time so I’ve found that having a go-to pair is ideal. Classic white sneakers will go with virtually everything you own whether that be your favourite jeans or a summer dress. They’re a definite workhorse so you can stock up on a few different styles and get plenty of use out of them.

Update your look with fun frames

A pair of sunglasses is always within easy reach whenever I leave the house and I’ve found it to be one of the easiest ways to make a look feel polished and ‘now’. Try the small frame sunglasses trend if you’re feeling a little adventurous with your sunnies or a colourful pair which will inject a little playfulness into any outfit.

Have a go-to carryall

Whether you opt for a chic backpack, a roomy tote or a crossbody style it’s always a good idea to swap to a more casual, take-anywhere bag on the weekend. I’ve found that a reliable and study carryall made from leather is something that will last you many seasons. Also switching from my work bag to an off duty bag also helps me get into the right mindset for relaxation.

Dress it up

Dresses are without a doubt one of the easiest things you can ever put on simply because there’s no need to worry about mixing and matching tops and bottoms. I’ve found slip dresses are a simple shortcut to looking on trend and chic, plus you can mix up the look of them by wearing a t-shirt underneath.

Turn to chic co-ord sets

I love co-ordinating sets. Whether it be a shell top with shorts or a jumper with jogger pants there’s something quite effortless about matching separates that makes you look instantly pulled together. They’re a major trend at the moment so you’ll no doubt find a set that works within your style and budget this season.

What are some ways you’ve elevated your weekend look?

Fashion

What every girl should have in her capsule weekend wardrobe

23rd January, 2022

By the time the weekend rolls around all I want to wear is something comfortable that still fits into my usual style of polished and classic. Also come Saturday morning I just want to get the day started and grab my morning coffee with the girls rather than standing in front of my closet pondering what to wear. If you’re the same and would rather just go into auto-pilot style-wise when you’re in relaxation mode, then I highly recommend pulling together your very own capsule wardrobe for the weekend. By narrowing down your wardrobe to a few key pieces for the weekend you make getting dressed so much easier.

When doing this pick the pieces that you know you feel and look good in, but also are ideal for just relaxing and enjoying a lazy day. Consider your head-to-toe look from your tops and bottoms to shoes and accessories. These will form the cornerstone of your weekend looks and make getting a breeze. When it comes to what to have in your wardrobe, I highly recommend considering adding the following things. These items feature heavily in my off duty wardrobe and I know you’ll get plenty of use out of them too.

Sneakers

A good, reliable pair of white sneakers is comfy and can be worked back with dressy ensembles or your most casual off duty look. Definitely include them in your weekend rotation.

Jeans

A good pair of jeans in a classic wash will serve you well on weekends. You can pair them with a simple tee for a day of running errands or dress them up with heels for drinks with the girls.

A white tee

Invest in the best quality white tee you can as I guarantee you will wear it to death. I wear mine with jeans, under dresses, with skirts, shorts, the list is endless. I honestly can’t get through a weekend without wearing one.

A dress you can throw on easily

The thing with dresses is they’re comfy and so non-fuss. Just throw a dress on and you’re pretty much done. Look for one in a great print or alternatively neutral shades if you want to get multiple uses out of it.

Fun frames

I tend to change my sunglasses as often as I do my outfits so I can attest that often great frames can really add something extra to a look. For weekends in particular, I think a fun pair of sunglasses (I love a cat eye or a small, minimalist style) that’s just a little more playful is ideal for off duty style.

What are some of your weekend wardrobe essentials?

Fashion, Shop

8 pieces that will update your weekend wardrobe

30th January, 2021

Weekends are super important to me so everything is about comfort especially since I’m always on the go with my family. I also know that sometimes my work wardrobe can start encroaching into my weekend wardrobe so it can be nice to have pieces that are solely dedicated for relaxation. I know that due to COVID lockdown, I found my office and off duty wardrobe start to blur a little more because I was home a lot more, and as a result it made me want to have a few designated pieces just for the weekend to cue the fact it was relaxation time. So what’s the key to a smart weekend wardrobe update?

If you’re looking for stylish yet practical pieces to wear during your down time, make sure to add these to your shopping list…

Statement sandals

I like to update my shoe wardrobe at the start of each season and a pair of great sandals is always at the top of my list when spring/summer comes around. Look for a great shoe with a touch of embellishment or in a vibrant hue. It will definitely be perfect for a quick breakfast at your favourite café or running errands on a Sunday afternoon.

Cropped jeans

For those who want to add a bit of flair to their usual weekend wardrobe look no further than a pair of cropped flared jeans. Whether you opt for a simple black or a lighter shade of denim, you can easily pair them with a tee or singlet for an on trend look that’s oh-so easy. Plus they play really nicely with a crisp white pair of sneakers.

Straight leg jeans

Over the last few years jeans have been getting a little more relaxed in fit. Straight leg jeans have been having a moment and are quite flattering when cropped at the ankle and paired with a slightly more streamlined top.

I’m always in white sneakers on the weekend – it’s one of my staples.

White sneakers

If you’ve yet to add a pair of white kicks to your wardrobe then it’s high time you introduced them to your style repertoire. Not only are they the ideal footwear for a busy weekend they’re also really easy to pair back with everything from a dress to jeans and a tee, so they’re an easy go-to shoe option.

Moto leather jacket

The leather jacket is an easy cover up on weekends. I know I’ve always lived in mine as something I can throw on over a dress or jeans and a tee and know that I’ll look pulled together. It’s also the perfect piece to transition from day to evening wear so it’s definitely a purchase you’ll get plenty of wear out of.

Shirt dress

You can’t beat a simple dress for ease of getting dressed as you simply have to throw it on and you’re ready to go. I’m a fan of the shirt dress as it’s quite a polished silhouette and when in a neutral colour or simple pattern such as a trusty stripe it’s an outfit that’s easily paired with sandals or sneakers for the ultimate in laidback cool.

A shirt dress is always an elegant weekend option

Oversized white shirt

I’m a fan of a white shirt all the time but I’ve also found it to be such a great staple to have on the weekend. Look for a slightly oversized fit with a drop shoulder for the ultimate in casual cool options. Plus it goes with pretty much everything including jeans, shorts and skirts.

Cropped wide leg trousers

There’s something super chic about a pair of wide leg trousers and they’re a great match with a crisp white tee or a tank. You can pair them with most of the staples I’ve listed above and you’re all set for a day of relaxation in one of the most stylish way possible.

Fashion, Shop

12 buys to get you ready for the Easter long weekend

23rd March, 2018

The countdown to the Easter long weekend is on and with it the perfect excuse to nab some new additions to your off duty wardrobe. Whether you’re heading off on a quick getaway or just doing a staycation at home and hanging out with friends and family, it’s time to up your outfit game.