How to dress up again: the 7 key pieces to try now
What to wear for reentry?
The sunglasses
Why they’re right for now: More like why sunnies are always right – first, they protect your eyes and the area around your eyes. So yes, that’s a barrier against wrinkling, but also against developing cataracts. They really are important for eye health, particularly if you have blue or light-coloured eyes. Also – not to be underestimated – there is no faster, easier route to glamour (see Caroline de Maigret, above). That’s a rhetorical question.
How to wear them: With everything, obviously. More to the point, your specs say a lot about you. Have you gone for Old School Status? Are you sufficiently confident to make do with Boots’ own? Or do you feel these days it’s all about the eco version? These Bird sunglasses are from a small British brand, made from cellulose acetate, a naturally derived, biodegradable material, and coloured with natural dyes and the pattern is actual pressed leaves. If these are too wacky, there are more classic colour options. I’ve tried them – they’re light, comfortable, stylish, come with polarised lenses and are reasonably priced. These are £99, but they start from £69.
Rose sunglasses, £99, Bird; Hayes sunglasses, £70, Mr Boho; Ethan sunglasses, £125, Sun Buddies Eyewear
What to wear them with: If you’re going for a colourful statement like these, keep the rest of your outfit understated and go easy on the jewellery. Make-up wise, any lipstick should tone, not clash, with the frames. Lisa Armstrong
The trophy top
Ruffle-sleeve top, £155, Essentiel Antwerp
Why it’s right for now: You may be sick of hearing about Zoom blouses but never fear, this is a very different beast. The Trophy Top isn’t constrained by camera angles and the need for neckline interest but is all about the fun of real-life dressing up, which, you may remember, can come in many guises – one woman’s handkerchief crop top (if this is you, Zara has a surprisingly comprehensive selection) is another’s pie-crust collar shirt.
How to wear it: The best Trophy Tops come with surprising details in all kinds of places – it might have a cut-out at the back, balloon sleeves or sea creature-ish ruffles like this Essentiel Antwerp option. As the name suggests, you can let your TT do the talking and keep everything else effortless.
Peplum floral top, £65, & Other Stories; Gingham puff sleeve top, £85, Kitri Studio; Jacquard puff sleeve top, £230, Stine Goya
What to wear it with: The old trick of jeans and a nice top is as relevant as ever, and a fail-safe formula if you’re a bit rusty in the styling stakes (who isn’t?). If you want to dial things up a notch then a chic pair of tailored cigarette trousers or palazzos will also make a great accompaniment. If your TT errs on the side of boho, try pairing tucking it into a denim A-line skirt. Bethan Holt
The spring blazer
Check Irish linen suit blazer, £180, Jigsaw
Why it’s right for now: May 17 should draw a line under all-weather outdoor dining (layering up like a polar explorer for the privilege of pretending your burger wasn’t tepid on arrival being no one’s idea of a great night out). The reopening of indoor dining and cultural venues means you can finally pack your parka away. But it’s not quite bare-arms weather yet. Enter the spring blazer.
How to wear it: Treat the spring blazer the same way you would a spring coat – except that, unlike a coat, the blazer won’t obscure your outfit. What it will do is enhance what you’re wearing and bring in subtle texture, pattern and structure. This one, being linen, will take you through a whole season of draughty evenings with aplomb.
What to wear it with: Wear one to smarten up cropped jeans, a T-shirt and Birkenstocks. Or throw one on over a dress – take a hint from Dior and fasten a skinny belt around the waist for more definition. And do push the sleeves up before you reach across the table to steal a chip, won’t you? Emily Cronin
Bottom-down dressing
Numie trousers, £159, Baum und Pferdgarten
Why it’s right for now: Throughout lockdown, we were all dressing to be seen from the waist up. Statement earrings, collared blouses, padded headbands – items that could add some impact to one’s appearance on video calls sold especially well for high street retailers. But now the bottom half is back. As we reunite with friends and family, it’s time to seize the opportunity to remind them that you do have legs. Let bold, wide-leg trousers and fun printed skirts be the focal point of all outfits going forward.
How to wear it: These wide-leg cotton Numie trousers come in a rich sunflower colour and have a gentle paper-bag waist tied with a belt. Whatever top you choose needs to be tucked in to allow these features to be seen and to give the illusion of longer legs.
What to wear it with: Do a plain or striped T-shirt and flats for a daytime look, or add platform sandals and a gold-flecked blouse and gold jewellery for the evening. Caroline Leaper
Shoes that aren’t trainers
Palma sandal, £185, Rixo
Why they’re right for now: Now that we have places to go and people to see, it feels thrilling to finally be able to return to a wider variety of footwear. Steer clear of the stilettos, though, they’ll feel like stilts. Instead, try a low-heel mule, it looks as stylish as it is comfortable. For a little more height, a clog is flattering – I love Penelope Chilvers’ flower-adorned style (£179, Penelope Chilvers).
How to wear them: Show off your shoes with cropped jeans and trousers – high-waist styles will create the illusion of longer legs. The same applies to skirts and dresses, so choose hemlines that fall somewhere between the shin and ankle.
Leather clogs, £49.99, Zara; Satin mules, £175, Miista; Mules, £198, Reformation
What to wear it with: My favourite way to style mules is with a silky slip skirt for a 1990s aesthetic that’s perfect for an evening out. For a less formal, daytime look, clogs are perfect for wearing with boyfriend jeans rolled up at the ankle. Tamara Abraham
The jumpsuit
Polka-dot print jumpsuit, £49.99, Mango
Why it’s right for now: With evenings out back on the cards, something special that doesn’t steer too far away from our comfort zone is key. A lightly tailored jumpsuit is equal parts polished and relaxed, and in a slinky fabric and chic print it makes it appear you’ve made lots of effort.
How to wear it: This one-hit wonder requires little thought, so it’s ideal if you’re in need of a slow return to dressing up. An all-in-one offers the getting ready ease a dress would, but with added practicality.
Plisse jumpsuit, £360, Alice + Olivia at Net-a-Porter; Silk jumpsuit, £395, L K Bennett; Crepe jumpsuit, £165, Iris & Ink at The Outnet
What to wear it with: The jumpsuit is a hard worker and usually looks great with every accessory you throw at it. Metallic mules and sparkly earrings for dinner? Check. White trainers and a grey crewneck knit for an evening at the cinema? Check. Chunky sandals and a denim jacket for a friends’ barbecue? Check! Krissy Turner
Statement jewellery
Why it’s right for now: Jewellery is one of the few decorative touches to have remained relevant in lockdown. Dressing up again can be scary, but a few statement pieces will push you into having more fun.
How to wear it: Jewellery hasn’t had much chance to sing on recent outdoor dining excursions when your scarves and duvet coats might have obscured it, so take this opportunity to pile it up. My way of getting the most wear out of my jewellery is to stack my bracelets and rings, layer necklaces on top of each other and, while I don’t have any ear piercings, odd earrings are much more interesting than a standard matching pair.
Alighieri’s rustic gold works for all skin tones, while smooth gold needs to be carefully chosen – opt for rose-gold and light yellow (9ct) if you’re pale, olive and darker skins suit more rich tones (18ct and 22ct). Coloured stones can make your piece seem more expensive – I’d recommend going for sumptuous tones of emerald green and onyx black.
The Trace of a Tear Necklace, £210, Alighieri; Vintage earrings, £125, Susan Caplan (currently sold out); Malachite knot charm bracelet, £198, Missoma
What to wear it with: Remember that statement jewellery is there to complement your outfit, not compete with it. A monochrome polo neck or shirt is a sleek way to show it off, while a broderie anglaise blouse will add a boho feel without erring into festival wear. Hikmat Mohammed
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