5 Alternatives To The Tired Jeans-and-a-nice-top Uniform

In a world where we pride ourselves with labels like ‘trend-setter’ that express our individuality, we all still seem to slot into the same outfit mould: jeans-and-a-nice-top. An adored-by-all combination, that’s getting boring! It might be time to put this well-loved classic to rest.

How on earth do we find a replacement for a tried-and-true (and definitely tired) formula? A solution: here are 5 alternatives with substance, to help you stay on trend and exciting.

Shrink the jeans 

The mini is trending; whether it’s a micro-short or a mini-skirt, they seem to be the current object of the fashion world’s affection. Call it a hangover from the club-inspired BRAT takeover of last summer, but they’re here to stay.

Perfect for the warmer weather and chillier climate alike - with the addition of tights, adapting it to the elements or adding a unique flair (you can even opt for fishnets if you want to bring in a touch of indie-sleaze).

You can play around by changing what you wear on top: something oversized for a comfier, casual look; a tight top for something risqué; or a knit sweater for a touch of class.

Unconventional dress styling 

Another effortless way to look like you’ve put in effort is to exchange the ‘nice top’ for a dress. It sounds a little bizarre, but the right jeans-to-dress ratio will result in a unique look. There are endless possibilities: a lingerie dress makes for a sexier outcome; a babydoll dress is instantly adorable; or capri-jeans will result in a romantic picnic-esque look.

Choose a shorter dress when combining with a baggier jean: a little slit in the side, or an intentional tuck works wonders in adding shape. And remember: an overly feminine dress contrasts well with a structured, baggier jean, making a look that is far from boring.

These boots were made for pairing 

An outfit so easy, it has two components: a reliable pair of boots (which no closet is full without), and any dress. A dress is a cheat-way to look put-together, and when paired with boots, it’s like chocolate chips to cookie dough – a delicious combination that never goes wrong!

 The boots can make any dress look casual, being a comfy alternative to heels, and a favourable option to the worn-down sneakers that you wear too often. To make the outfit more interesting, try different length-of-dress to height-of-boot combinations. The mini-dress to tall boots is a personal favorite. But a midi-dress to knee-high-boot formula looks inexplicably playful, as the hem of your dress dances around the rim of your boot.

The matrimony of a fun bottom with a simple shirt 

Often, we fall into the trap of being more experimental with our tops than our bottoms. But when we are sick of the jeans-and-a-nice-top rut, the solution may be as simple as inverting the formula.

By going for a fun bottom and a basic top, we can introduce individuality to an otherwise mundane outfit. A patterned trouser, an intriguing texture, an exciting shape, or an attractive color can make the outfit.

I like a simple baby tee paired with a patterned midi skirt – a cute and deceivingly comfortable outfit that is interesting enough without requiring much effort at all.

Make the accessories the outfit 

If you don’t fancy straying too far away from the jeans-and-a-nice-top habit, try keeping the combination, but not making it the focal point of the outfit. Have it be the least interesting part of what you’re wearing!

Add a jacket – make it an unexpected texture, color, pattern, shape, length, anything that distracts away from the basic formula that we fell into AGAIN. A (faux) fur jacket is perfect for this! Match the jacket to your shoes or purse, and accessorize like your life depends on it!

Summing Up

We’ve all gone slightly style-blind when it comes to the jeans-and-a-nice-top formula! It was cute the first hundred times, but we’ve worn it to death. The time is now to take off the rose-tinted glasses and begin the mourning process (this time with a better outfit).

In a world ruled by uniformity, it becomes easier to accept the current than to fight against the crowd. It’s difficult to break away from something so classic, but as a sweet thing can start to taste sour if you have it too often; something classic can quickly turn boring. And in the world of fashion, we never want to settle for boring, so take off the uniform!