The Knowledge: how to do luxe-casual dressing

Foundation first
The three main 'foundation' pieces you should have in your wardrobe are a T-shirt, chinos and pair of tennis shoes. Sounds simple, but all three work together in a stylish way. You'll keep coming back to them. I grew up in California, which is warm, but even when it gets a little cooler, you can just layer up on the foundation pieces.

The perfect shade
The tone of a colour is everything in a T-shirt. Always opt for more earthy tones, such as olive, brown and any type of grey. They look expensive and suit most people. If you're picking a brown, make sure it doesn't have too much of a red undertone to it, as it will look too 'burnt'. Similarly with olive make sure you don't get a colour that is too yellow. It will just look cheap and ugly.

Dress for the occasion
There are so many different trends with dresses, whether they're loose and casual or fitted and sexy. The best option is to go for easy, casual sundresses, beach dresses and anything that looks like a holiday cover-up. If you do want to wear something more form-fitting, opt for fine jerseys that have a little bit of stretch in them. The beauty is that you can dress them up or down depending on your footwear. During the day wear with tennis shoes, and at night with a pair of heels

The bottom line
Jeans have become the everyday casual trouser, but it's always nice to mix it up and try casual khakis or chinos. With both options, buy a looser boyish fit and roll them up slightly so they crop. It still makes them look casual but with quite a feminine sensibility; if you wear them as they come, straight off the hanger, they'll look too boyish.

Leave the leather
I'm really looking forward to a new wardrobe and a new attitude that involves bomber jackets - in particular the 1980s-style silk ones, which are very modern. Wear them open and loose and layer over T-shirts, sweaters and jerseys. The bomber jacket feels more like a proper jacket, and can work with both daytime and evening outfits.

Bag to basics
You can partner a casual outfit with a canvas tote bag to complete the look, they're very easy to use. People have found ways to make a Hermès Birkin bag feel casual, but it's because they're putting it with a nice, laid-back outfit and aren't head-to-toe in expensive items. You know immediately if you've put it with the wrong clothing because it will feel too dressed up. It's all about how you put things together and the attitude you have when you wear them.

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