Casual Outfit Formulas for Real Life, According to Vogue Editors

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What’s more difficult than curating an eloquent and versatile rotation of eveningwear? Well, building a wardrobe of go-to items that look as good as they feel for those casual, in-between days. This goes beyond formulaic capsule wardrobe dressing, and instead, relies on individuality and preferences. What works as your casual outfit combination may be someone else’s dressed-up—but the importance of owning pieces you love (and feel fabulous in), is the foundation for a personalized, everyday closet. Outside of fancy fêtes, dinner parties, and celebrations is real life; laid-back weekends spent walking the dogs, coffee meet-ups on a Sunday afternoon, post-work relaxation with a friend or loved one, and backyard hangouts come summertime. These are the moments we wish for fuss-free, easy ensembles to carry us through the weeks, and years.

Vogue’s Go-To Casual Outfit Essentials:

• The White Trouser: Massimo Dutti wide-leg pleated trousers, $120
• The Black Blazer: Toteme wool-blend grain de poudre jacket, $1,040
• The Essential White T-Shirt: Éterne Boyfriend cotton and jersey T-shirt, $90
• The Croc Loafer: Emme Parsons Danielle loafers, $550
• The Weekend Lounge Pant: Theory merino wool-blend track pants, $395
• The Faux Fur: The Garment Dixie faux fur jacket, $595
• The Layering Piece: Intimissimi modal cashmere ultralight high-neck top, $60
• The Daily Denim: Madewell low-slung baggy jeans, $148
• The Suede Bootie: A.Emery Hudson suede ankle boots, $710

We asked Vogue editors about their coveted (and uncomplicated) essentials. For some, it’s a poppy knit paired with lived-in denim. For others, modern suiting separates with a flat shoe, like a croc-embossed loafer, or a pointed-toe ballet flat. Some spend weekends in faux fur jackets and sweatpants à la off-duty model style, others lean on neutral colorways and minimalism for ease and matching. Of course, white T-shirts and pleated trousers are in the mix, from Aritzia’s relaxed crewneck and Éterne’s loose-fit tee, to The Row’s high-rise black pants and Kallmeyer’s wool wide-legs. Then, there are button-up shirts teamed with low-slung baggy jeans—the Olsen twins, is that you?—and suede ankle boots that are as chic as they are walkable. Ahead, discover Vogue editors’ beloved casual outfit formulas, and shop all their go-tos to refresh yours.

Oversized Turtleneck + Trousers

An oversized turtle neck provides me with a certain comfort and ease that doesn’t require much thought. I always opt for an OTT turtleneck too so that it still has a fashion point of view. Pleated pants are pretty much as comfy as it gets without veering into an elasticated waist so this combination together is perfect. I always throw on an oversized blazer too to keep everything in that mens-y vein. —Libby Page, executive shopping director

Cos

chunky pure cashmere turtleneck sweater

$375

COS

Massimo Dutti

wide-leg pleated cotton trousers

$120

MASSIMO DUTTI

Toteme

wool-blend grain de poudre jacket

$1,040

NET-A-PORTER

leather belt

$230

NET-A-PORTER

Pleated Pants + Lived-In T-Shirt

Whenever I don’t know what to wear (weekends and travel especially), I always feel my most comfortable and most myself in a great pant and white T-shirt. Both of which I prefer in relaxed silhouettes. I invested in two pairs of trousers from The Row during the sample sale last fall and have worn them endlessly since. I know it looks and sounds boring, but I usually don’t stop there. With jewelry, different types of shoes and jackets, or a belt, the understated combination can feel interesting and different in an instant. You can’t go wrong when you love the way the clothes fit, so for me, these cherished wardrobe items provide an effortless foundation and canvas for many easy, everyday looks. —Maddy Fass, senior shopping market editor

Soft Feels bike-short t-shirt

$35

ARITZIA

The Row

wool Igor pants

$1,250

THE ROW

$1,390

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

$1,390

NET-A-PORTER

Baggy Jeans + Crewneck

Until a sweatpant proves me wrong, I find baggy jeans the most comfortable thing to wear on the weekend, and in white, I feel put together without having to try. When in doubt I pair my Slvrlake’s with a relaxed cashmere crewneck and a white T-shirt. I have many to rotate through, but I generally am drawn to for a looser fit in some kind of neutral. I don’t own any puffer jackets except for skiing, so a tailored black coat it is to add structure and balance out the roominess of the jeans. On the accessories front, I’m always wearings my rings and watch, but will play around with the belt and shoes styling depending on my mood and where the day is taking me. —Talia Abbas, senior shopping editor

Tricot

cashmere crewneck

$230

TRICOT PARIS

Éterne

Boyfriend short-sleeve t-shirt

$90

BERGDORF GOODMAN

$90

NET-A-PORTER

House of Dagmar

double breasted coat

$650

HOUSE OF DAGMAR

$650

MODA OPERANDI

Slvrlake

Mica low-slung jeans

$289

SHOPBOP

Pleated Maxi Skirt + Mockneck Sweater

On any given day, I'm likely sporting a voluminous maxi skirt—likely pleated—mostly because they’re roomy and comfortable without compromising on polish. I find that I look like I put more effort into my look than I did. The top I pair the skirt with really depends on the day—this winter I’ve been leaning into high-neck tops and ultra-soft sweaters, while summer days might warrant a white T-shirt or tank top. We love a uniform. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer

Naadam

ultra luxe cashmere sweater

$475

NAADAM

Cos

pleated a-line midi skirt

$150

COS

The Frankie Shop

Rafaela oversized merino wool and cashmere-blend sweater

$277

NET-A-PORTER

Uniqlo

Uniqlo U crew neck short-sleeve T-shirt

$15

UNIQLO

Modern Suiting + Driving Loafers

My friends like to joke that my casual outfit go-to is not really that casual in its origin, but when oversized, it totally can be. I lean on a suit for many work days when I’m sleepy and don’t have time for fuss. A good suit with a tissue tee underneath has never steered me in the wrong direction, whether it’s in black or my favorite trending hue, chocolate brown. Most of the time, I’m adding a loafer or a pointed-toe flat shoe for walkability and ease. This combo is also great for busier work days when I need to run from press preview to the office, and then to an event after work. —Cortne Bonilla, senior shopping writer

Co

double-breasted wool blazer

$1,395

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Kallmeyer

Athena wool and silk-blend twill wide-leg pants

$690

NET-A-PORTER

Toteme

The Asymmetric Ballerina leather point-toe flats

$620

NET-A-PORTER

Danielle loafers

$550

SHOPBOP

$550

NET-A-PORTER

Long-Sleeve Tops + Denim

As I am sure my colleagues can attest, I have a very clear outfit formula that I rely on heavily during the work week. My day-to-day wardrobe is nearly always made up of a white cotton T-shirt, a men’s cashmere sweater, jeans, and a pair of boots. My knitwear collection is extensive, so trust me when I tell you that this J.Crew sweater looks and feels far more luxurious than its price tag! —Mai Morsch, fashion editor

J.Crew

relaxed midweight cashmere V-neck sweater

$198

JCREW

Éterne

Baby Tee cropped cotton and modal-blend jersey T-shirt

$80

NET-A-PORTER

Re/Done

90s high-rise loose jeans

$275

BERGDORF GOODMAN

$275

NET-A-PORTER

A.Emery

Hudson suede ankle boots

$710

MYTHERESA

Festive Winter Jacket + A Sweatpant

If you catch me out and about on a Sunday, I’m almost always sporting some version of this off-duty outfit. I love how a festive winter jacket, like Toteme’s fan-favorite scarf style or The Garment’s fabulous faux fur, looks with cozy sweatpants. These heather grey sweats from Skims are supremely soft–and stylish, too! Otherwise, I reach for Theory’s wide-leg, wool-blend pair for more of a hybrid pick. To complete the look, I turn to a luxe cashmere sock paired with some retro sneakers or polished penny loafers. —Laura Jackson, shopping writer

Toteme

wool-blend scarf jacket

$1,130

MYTHERESA

Skims

classic straight leg pants

$74

SKIMS

The Garment

Dixie faux fur jacket

$595

REVOLVE

The Elder Statesman

cashmere track pants

$1,195

NET-A-PORTER

Blue Jeans + White Shirt

In the words of Lana Del Rey: “Blue Jeans, White Shirt…” and thus the basis for my casual combos. I know I work in fashion, but some days, I can’t be bothered to think too much about my outfit—I’m usually too tired! A cool pair of slouchy jeans (I prefer dark wash) and a sleek white shirt can never go wrong. Plus, this combo has the potential to be dressed up or down, depending on accessories. —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer

J.Crew

Étienne oversized shirt

$98

JCREW

Madewell

low-slung baggy jeans

$148

MADEWELL

Mango

Danila wideleg rinse-wash jeans

$70

MANGO

Intimissimi

modal cashmere ultralight high-neck top

$60

INTIMISSIMI

Colorful Knitwear + Blue Jeans + Playful Sock

I have a foolproof outfit formula for the days when I am struggling to get dressed: a colorful sweater, blue jeans, and a loafer with a fun sock (for an extra pop of pizzazz.) American Vintage and Rejina Pyo are my go-to spots for interesting knitwear that still feels casual enough to throw on with your favorite pair of Levi’s. —Florence O'Connor, associate content manager

American Vintage

Vitow cardigan

$225

AMERICAN VINTAGE

$225

BLOOMINGDALES

Levi’s

501 90s jeans

$98

LEVI’S

Rejina Pyo

Toni sweater

$440

REJINA PYO

Sézane

lurex socks

$20

SEZANE