The Suit Experiment: Can Little Miss Scruffy clean up her look with a two-piece?
The problem? I'm a scruffy bastard. I have three kids and a full time job. Keeping everyone alive and in the correct place on a daily basis is my number one priority. I've been known to wait until everyone is on the doorstep before getting dressed myself. I'm quick. The downside? I go into work looking like I got dressed in five minutes. I also have a fairly unfancy wardrobe - jeans, denim shorts, endless slogan tee shirts. Sure, a Pretty Woman style wardrobe overhaul would do the trick nicely, but it wouldn't really change the fact I have zero time to pull together my #OOTT.
I have colleagues who prepare and lay out their outfits the night before work. One colleague makes a pre-holiday outfit list - 15 outfits (including accessories). Yeah - that's not going to happen. But a little thought could potentially go a long way. I want to reduce the amount of choice I have to face in the morning before work. Actually scrap that, what I want is a simplified choice.
My dream solution was to buy one decent suit and simply wear that every day. Could that work? The GLAMOUR fashion team saw a challenge right there and kitted me out with four suits to see if, realistically, I could completely change the way I dress and how I dress in 10 days.
The challenge - less 'can I wear one suit every day?', but more 'can I wear a suit every day and accessorize to make it feel like my style?'.
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I borrowed a clothes rail from a local shop and filled it with shirts, tee shirts and sweaters to team with the suits. I like clothes - I am human - but the difficulty was always going to be trying to break out of a seriously 'relaxed' (read: scruffy) approach to clothes.
I carried out the suit experiment during a heatwave (deadlines don't consider the weather) and bloody hell, I have a new found respect for my fella, and in fact anyone who has to wear a suit in the heat. By the time I got home every evening I couldn't wait to take it all off and throw my denim shorts back on. But heat aside, I did feel - dare I say - a bit more professional, and because I was so in love with the Paul Smith suit - I knew it looked good - smart even!
It was all too easy to opt for trainers and a slogan tee every day but I had to push myself to try out shirts and sweaters. Some days I felt were quite challenging, almost more stressful than 'I have nothing to wear' days, but by the end of the 10 days I had a pretty good handle.
Ultimately I could (and probably will) make the suit experiment a reality. I would need 2-3 suits (Homer Simpson I am not) - one lightweight one that fits like a dream, one slightly thicker one and one plain, but beautifully made, black one for after-work events. I found that I felt way more like 'myself' with tee shirts and trainers but my hearty Hasbeen shoe collection meant I could dress up my look easily. I did warm to the shirts after a while - but the more interesting ones rather than the classic white shirt.
For me, the suit experiment showed me an intelligent and stylish way to make my mornings less insane and I'm so in.
Here's what happened.
Photographer: Sandra Waibl
Sandra WaiblDAY ONE
This combination screams autumn in a really good way. The flecked navy Jigsaw suit goes well with sweaters and long-sleeved tees, maybe because it’s slightly woollier than the others.
Is it a keeper? The suit would have to be a part of my wardrobe – especially in colder weather. I love the sweater but not sure it’s 100% ‘me’.
Credits:
Suit: Jigsaw flecked tailoring London trouser suit in navy
Top: John Smedley Imperial Kashmir grey sweater
Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens
Sandra WaiblDAY TWO
Killer combo - breton top, red clogs with the flecked navy suit.
Is it a keeper? 100%
Credits:
Suit: Jigsaw flecked tailoring London trouser suit in navy
Top:Petit Bateau blue & white striped long-sleeved top with rose gold buttons
Shoes:Swedish Hasbeens
Sandra WaiblDAY TWO
I'm rarely seen without my Hasbeens - and these red clogs are the sexiest yet.
Sandra WaiblDAY THREE
Under normal circumstances the thought of wearing a polo neck produces the same sort unconscious throat grazing that one might of experienced watching a public hanging. Still it works surprisingly well with the suit and the Stan Smiths give the outfit a bit of edge.
Is it a keeper? Not sure cream is for me, and while the top is lovely and soft I don’t feel like myself.
Credits:
Suit: Jigsaw flecked tailoring London trouser suit in navy
Top: Philip Lim ribbed knit, off white, long sleeve turtleneck
Shoes: Topshop Stan Smith trainers
Sandra WaiblDAY THREE
Adidas Stan Smiths. Consider me a convert.
Sandra WaiblDAY FOUR
Love this ensemble but the shoes can do one.
Is it a keeper? Yes to the shirt and the suit.
Credits:
Suit: Jigsaw flecked tailoring London trouser suit in navy
Top: Margaret Howell long shirt, blue/white strips
Shoes: Topshop navy heels
Sandra WaiblDAY FIVE
These Topshop trainers give this outfit a little sparkle.
Sandra WaiblDAY SIX
Welcome to my favourite suit. Paul Smith - the dream - and it's the winning look for me. I tried hard not to fall back on the slogan tee every time but look – it works??!
Is it a keeper? This is ‘the one’
Credits:
Suit: Paul Smith ‘Black’ grey checked suit
Top: pop.see.cul<a> tee shirt Shoes: <a href=" https://www.swedishhasbeens.com/" target="_new">Swedish Hasbeens
Sandra WaiblDAY SEVEN
A slightly more challenging morning - I went for the easy option yesterday with the slogan tee so felt it was time to embrace I a shirt. With trainers I feel too 'baggy' so I need to wear the clogs to add a more feminine vibe. I'm worried about my colour matching and print clashes. The clothes rail has been through hell this morning. Must have tried a hundred combinations. I thought this was meant to make my life easier?
Is it a keeper? Yes I think so - but with the right shoes
Credits:
Suit: Paul Smith ‘Black’ grey checked suit
Top: Atea Oceanie Manrepeller blue navy shirt mandarin collar, boyfriend shirt
Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens
Sandra WaiblDAY EIGHT
Just hanging out on my Porsche.
Attempting a bit of day to night here. Technically this should work for me (this top rarely comes off at the weekend) but I don’t think I can pull off the sexy suit chic.
Is it a keeper? No, afraid not
Credits:
Suit: Paul Smith Black suit, green lining
Top: Topshop black, lace vest top
Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens
Sandra WaiblDAY NINE
Ok so this feels perfect. Smart but not uncomfortably so. This suit definitely passes the versatility test.
Is it a keeper?
Hell yes.
Credits:
Suit: Paul Smith ‘Black’ grey checked suit
Top: Splendid navy sweater
Shoes: TopshopStan Smith trainers
Sandra WaiblDAY NINE
Heels and added bling - minor tweaks but how easy is it to make this daytime look work for evening, too?
Sandra WaiblDAY TEN
A eureka moment! Trying not to fall for the slogan tee every day is proving tricky, but plain tees don't feel like me. A de-crumpling of the pyjama shirt and I'm liking this vibe a lot.
Is it a keeper?
Yes! Perfect for work
Credits:
Suit:Paul Smith ‘Black’ grey checked suit
Top: Topshop pjamas shirt
Shoes:Swedish Hasbeens
