You JAANT beat the classics!
It’s a fashion story as old as time: the outfit combination that will get you out of any tricky sartorial situation and one that I had been completely ignoring for quite some time.
It is of course the 'jeans and a nice top' (JAANT) outfit that is much talked about and worn very often especially on nights out when the combination really comes into its own.
For the past while I have been struggling with what to wear on social occasions and found myself thinking about said combination with the realisation that it was completely lacking in my own wardrobe. I have plenty of casual t-shirts and shirts but not really anything that could be instantly dressy for an occasion. So, I have set about remedying that and seeing what’s out there at the moment. As luck would have it, the nice top is having a moment for the season ahead.
I should point out that 'jeans and a nice top' can also have some substitutions, namely swapping out the jeans for trousers because sometimes you just want to be a little bit extra and a trouser gives the look that extra boost. I began to feel the need for a nice top when in town one day and I spotted a burgundy coloured, high neck stretchy fabric top in H&M. I thought this could be the one to get me back into the swing of the JAANT. I felt like I had had a mental block against even trying on tops as I felt like it was too much effort. I was pleasantly surprised when I tried the top on; it was comfortable yet dressy and the silhouette was super flattering. I have so far paired it with a pair of light cream pinstripe, barrel leg trousers and a flat sandal, and I have also styled it with my white barrel leg jeans and gold sandals. Come the winter, I’ll style it with my black jeans and some ankle boots.
It’s a fairly simple combination of block colours but you can let the accessories change the look and add your own personality to the outfit. A belt is a great way of elevating the outfit as well as some statement earrings and a fun handbag.
In this way, a block colour is invaluable in getting the most for your cost per wear as it’s so easy to re-wear and re-stye in a number of ways, but there’s also a lot to be said for a really gorgeous standout piece and I happened to have found one such top in M&S over the weekend. It’s a leopard print, which is always going to be a must have in my wardrobe, in a beautiful gauzy chiffon fabric with a cape like detail on the sleeves. It’s the sort of top that needs very little else but would look so elevated when styled with a chunk gold bangle and drop gold earrings. I may go as far as adding a green or turquoise stone to the earrings.
I tried it on with white denim, which is perfect for now, but I can see myself pacing this for my holiday to France and wearing with my cream denim culottes and pairing with my kitten heel gold sandals and a pair of sunnies.
Come winter time this could also work well with loose leather trousers and heels so it’s a timeless look that you’ll have in your wardrobe each season. This outfit combination can require a little more thought that popping on a dress but for comfort and style it’s worth the time investment to find your perfect JAANT….top.