The general theory I stick to is if you’re going loose on the bottom, keep it more streamlined up top. So things like Arket’s merino roll-neck and crew-neck are going to be your heroes with wide-leg trousers. They work really well alone, or you can always layer over knitted vests or matching suit blazers. Having a fitted base will just maintain that polish. In summer, switch roll-necks for ribbed vests, which offer the same proportions, and for a more casual look, a simple, fresh T-shirt (Arket, again, does my favourite one) will always work.
Following those same principles, classic looser button-down shirts look great with slimmer-fitting pant styles like tapered or skinny ones, but they’re the one exception to the rule when it comes to wide-leg trousers. Since they’re so classic, you can afford to make more of a statement with proportions by tucking an oversized shirt into looser pants for a very editor-approved look. If in doubt, start with a classic shirt that doesn’t feel too baggy, like The Frankie Shop’s Everyday, over a ribbed vest.
Keep scrolling to see the simple but effective tops I always style with trousers.
Tagged: BASICS