One Grey Sweatshirt, Five Outfits
It's not just a casual 'basic'.
A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about wardrobe basics, those unsung heroes in our wardrobes that a lot of us wear day in and day out but we don’t exactly shout about from the rooftops. These are the T-shirts, vest tops and jumpers that, while they may not be the most exciting pieces we own, are probably our most useful, most versatile and most worn.
I included a grey sweatshirt from Asket in that post. A classic grey melange made from 100% organic cotton and inspired by the brand’s men’s sweatshirt, only with slightly softer details and a more refined silhouette. Over the past few weeks, as we’ve dabbled in spring and my heavier jumpers have been packed away, it’s a piece that I’ve turned to a lot. It’s lighter than my big wool jumpers and thicker than my shirts or long-sleeved tops, it’s extremely comfortable to wear, and it turns out I can wear it with all kinds of outfits.
By its very nature, a grey sweatshirt is a casual piece. It’s the post-Pilates top, something you wear on a long-haul flight, or the item you quickly shrug on as you nip out to buy a carton of milk. These functions are all very worthy but I’m here to argue that the humble grey sweatshirt can be more than just a casual afterthought - and here are five outfits to prove it.
With Striped Trousers and a Chore Jacket
This look is essentially glorified pyjamas and I’m all for it. The trousers are a linen blend and are easing me into spring and summer very gently. I can’t wait to wear them with beachwear or sleeveless tops once it warms up but for now, I love wearing them with the grey sweatshirt. The two colours complement each other well (the trousers are blue with light blue stripes), and the fits together are extremely comfortable. I’ve topped the look with a heavy cotton jacket for an extra layer (and to steer the look away from pyjama territory); the green adding another complementary colour to the outfit.
On a side note, I need to talk about these sandals. They’re from Celtic & Co., a Cornwall-based brand that I wasn’t aware of until I was given a Marks & Spencer voucher for my birthday, and saw these navy fisherman sandals on the site. I added them to basket and when I tried them on when they arrived, it was like slipping my feet into soft, squishy clouds. They have a double-layer flat heel for comfort and arch support, which is music to my Birkenstock-loving ears. Highly recommend if regular flat sandals don’t do much for your feet.
With Navy Barrel-Leg Trousers and Sandals
In last week’s post, I wrote about wearing trainers with tailoring. I love the high/low mix of casual items with smarter or more structured pieces, and that’s exactly what I’ve gone for here. The trousers are a barrel-leg shape and have quite a stiff construction that holds that curve in place. Unlike a lot of my trousers that tend to be loose-fitting, these have more structure to them, so they can easily be worn in a ‘smart’ capacity. But add a basic like a grey sweatshirt and suddenly this look becomes an easy, everyday outfit you could wear to work if you don’t have a strict dress code or simply out and about.
With a Quilted Jacket and Ballet Flats
This look is proof that a grey sweatshirt can be smartened up if you want it to. This is the kind of outfit I wear to lunch/brunch/drinks when I don’t want to appear too casual but not overdressed either. Like the outfit above, it has that high/low mix: the trousers are made from a slinky, soft cupro (I’ve worn them for a few fancy occasions too), while the jacket is both cosy (it’s made from a lovely, thick quilted cotton) and has an interesting oversized shape to it. Add a buttoned-up shirt and this would be one of my smarter outfits, but the grey sweatshirt brings it down to an appropriate level.
With Barrel-Leg Trousers and Trainers
This is my most casual outfit with a grey sweatshirt and the kind of look I wear a lot when I’m working from home or popping out to the shops and want to feel comfortable yet ‘dressed’. You’ve probably seen me wear these Beyond Nine trousers 100 times and that’s because they’re so comfortable and easy to wear - they have an elasticated waistband and are made from soft, 100% linen, plus they’ve got a great barrel-leg shape that adds an interesting silhouette to the overall look. I love grey and khaki together but I’ve added a black long-sleeved top underneath for a touch more colour and to bring another dimension to the outfit.
With a Silk Scarf and Jeans
I shared this look in my post ‘What Makes a Great Basic?’ but I’ve been wearing it a lot, so I want to spotlight it here too. I wear this outfit when I want to feel (for lack of a better word) chic and add a little something extra to everyday pieces. A simple trick like pushing the sleeves up on the sweatshirt brings more shape to the look, while the silk scarf adds extra colour and texture to the grey melange. The straight-leg jeans creates more of a streamlined look overall, as do the Mary Janes, balancing out the loose boxiness of the sweatshirt.
Any items marked with * have been kindly gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.
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So many great nuggets in this and the most obvious is that a grey sweatshirt is so versatile! I LOVE the pairing with a neck scarf, instantly elevates and makes interesting!