‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’ – Leonardo Da Vinci What’s one style “rule” that influences almost every outfit you wear? For me, it’s the ‘rule of three’. An outfit will feel “done” when it’s made up of three main components. You’ll have heard of this concept many times, referred to as the rule of thirds, or the golden ratio. Prevalent in all visual aspects of our lives, and commonly used in photography, the arts, and architecture. It’s one of the reasons why summer dressing feels less than satisfying. There’s this sense that something is missing. Because when it’s 35 deg C and muggy, all you’ll be inclined to wear is a tank top and shorts. Maybe a simple cotton or linen dress. Basically, it can feel like a bit of a challenge to put together an outfit in that moment that makes you feel good (and also keeps you cool). Wearing H&M rib tank (AU link here); Sportscraft trousers; Andersons belt; Tibi sandals (old); St.Agni bag; Monica Vinader bangle (25% off with JAMIELEEMV25) So here’s my summer uniform I keep returning to. The one I reach for – in any colour combination – when I want to feel chic and confident, but also don’t want to ruminate over what I’m wearing. A simple fitted tank, tucked into a wide leg/fluid drape trouser, with a wide strap flat sandal. There’s visual balance here in the way that I’m showing off my arms, but keeping my legs concealed. The yin and yang of a tight tank top with loose pants. A waist defined by a belt (one with texture, tick!). And complete with a sandal that has some weight to it. Dainty sandals are nice, but don’t seem to complement this look quite so well. For those who wonder how to avoid dragging your pants on the ground, you can see here how I’ve tucked the back hem into my sandal. Some bangles on my wrist add to the sense that I’ve but at least some thought into my styling. While I can’t help but feel that this outfit might be better served with that aforementioned “third piece”, there’s something to be said for the simplicity of pairing the tank solely with the trousers. If it’s especially hot, I’ll usually swap out the trousers for a skirt. I find that you still get nice air flow with the longer length (a side split amplifies this!) ultimately feeling stifling than a pant, but more “styled” than shorts or a mini skirt.  

Silk slip skirts are one of those “style essentials” you’ll see on lists for building your wardrobe. And while I don’t think that these are hard and fast templates for building up a wardrobe from scratch, I can’t deny that personally for me, they’re a big yes (for you, it might be a different cut in a different fabrication, or, no skirt at all). Combined with the trend towards 90s minimalism, hem lengths have dropped in favour of the maxi. Long and lean silhouettes. So today we’re going to chat through how to style a maxi slip skirt three ways. Which, is a great starting point if you’re planning to add a new silhouette into your closet. If you can’t identify three different outfit combinations which you’d realistically wear, give it a pass. #1 | Worn with a pop of colour The first outfit combination denotes a neutral/tonal base, using accessories to add in personality and vibrancy. I’ve used a red shoe here for that fun burst of colour, which I could have amplified by also adding in a matching bag. Bright accents are a great way to breathe new life into your much loved style staples. Some of my favourite pairings with chocolate brown are lemon yellow, soft muted pinks, burnt orange and verdant green. But obviously what you gravitate towards will depend on the colour of your skirt. Another tip for keeping things a little interesting is to consider your tee. Mine has a rich earthy red-brown print to it which serves to tie together the colour of the skirt and shoes. Wearing Sezane graphic tee, Quince silk skirt, Quince cardigan, Margaux ballet flats, Karen Walker bag #2 | Worn with texture and shape Use this type of outfit combination to create visual interest and dimension. Slip skirts tend to have this long and lean element, so you can either play into that, or opt to create friction through the use of fun proportions. This outfit does the latter. Not visible from this image but the top has a slight blouson/puff sleeve and relaxed fit. Though the jacket is really what is doing all the heavy lifting. It’s a fuzzy tweed combined with the oversized style that feels counterbalanced against the dramatic length of the skirt. You can also use your accessories to increase the tactical quality of your look. My bag is a mock croc leather, but then you could throw on a big bulky scarf in a fuzzy fabric. Also, it looks a little like I’m wearing “shades of” here, and in some ways I am. If you’re having trouble matching colours in your outfit, look for like with like colours (so brown with light brown, charcoal with black) as it’ll create variation while remaining cohesive. Wearing & Other Stories knit (also here), Quince maxi slip skirt, Mango bomber jacket, Arket boots, Sezane bag #3 | Worn in blocks of colour Something I talk about often is considering where you are adding visual breaks into your outfit. It’s why certain hem lengths might look off with certain shoes. Or why despite using all your other tricks and a usual style uniform the outfit just isn’t working. Matching the colour of your shoes to your skirt helps to continue that clean line and has the illusion of adding length – you can reveal a little bit of skin though the effect is amplified when wearing a boot or sock and shoe in the same colour as the piece on your lower half as the visual line is extended all the way down to your toes. Best way to think about this is using the rule of thirds. How can you break up your outfit like that for a look that feels settled and at ease on the eye?

If you’ve been keeping track of my most worn, then you’ve probably seen the brand Goelia pop up. They’ve become something of a “go-to” for me, when I want that classic Parisian girl look. Or when I’m after a solid wardrobe staple in a quality fabric. Some of my favourite pieces include this little striped wool jacket, in addition to this split hem trouser skirt. Simple, but chic. And easily repeatable.  And, they’ve nailed the French girl look. As well as the pretty, romantic dress, the ladylike tweed jacket, and the effortless cashmere coat.  So let’s talk about the best ten pieces to buy from Goelia this month, along with sizing and actual item measurements. And of course, if you have any other questions, drop them down in the comments below. Oh! And the code JAMIE10 will snag you an additional 10% off existing promotional offers. 1 | Goelia Tencel-Acetate Blend Cut-Out Women Tank Top Starting off with the basic that’s not really basic at all, but the epitome of an elevated basic. One the surface, it sounds simple. A black ribbed tank. But up close, you can really appreciate the details. It hugs the body beautifully, and has this subtle contrasting directional ribbed texture. Vertical at the top and bottom, and diagonal across the waist. Perhaps what I love most though, is the slit on the right shoulder. Not at all visible on the hanger and even when worn this doesn’t immediately jump out at you. But it’s a nice way to reveal a touch extra skin, adding balance to an otherwise modest tank. WEARING: Size Small (fits TTS). Measures 36cm underarm to underarm unstretched and 51cm long. 2 | Goelia Triacetate Lapel Mid-Length Women Vest When I was browsing the new arrivals, this sleeveless blazer immediately caught my eye. It’s relatively thick and robust, which gives a nice weight to the fabric (aka the good drape). I have something similar in black, and my personal favourite way to wear it is fully done up, worn with trousers in a similar tone. Chic, sophisticated, effortless without any of the work. Also is great as that third piece worn with a singlet and shorts during the warmer months. WEARING: Size Medium (size up one, especially if taller). Measures 46cm underarm to underarm and is 75cm long 3 | Goelia Straight Pleated Women Pants With Leather Belt Goelia does a lot of white fluid drape trousers. But what sets these ones apart, is the way the belt loops are incorporated into the draped design. It feels elegant, elevated. Truly special, while still having all the other hallmarks of an otherwise classic piece. I paired these with the vest from before, and I just love the look. These are a slightly thinner fabric but have this real silky quality which allows them to flow nicely over the legs. On me (172cm), these fall just to the ground. Perfect. Recommend wearing with a skin toned knicker. WEARING: Size 27 (sized up one for an eased out fit). Measures 35cm across the waistband laid flat, 102cm long, 36cm rise and 70.5cm inseam 4 | Goelia 16 Momme Mulberry Silk Polka Dots Printed Midi Dress I’ve always been a bit fan of Goelia silk pieces. They feel luxe, yet quite ethereal; one of those fabrications which always has a decent amount of movement to it. This dress is no exception. The a-line silhouette, which looks great both worn loose or cinched at the waist with matching belt, means that there’s a lot of fabric which gracefully seems to “catch air” as you move around. It comes with a matching slip for modesty (the lighter weight of the fabric means it isn’t fully opaque, though I’ve not noticed any issues with it feeling/looking see through), in addition to a matching belt and clip on rose silk flower. The great thing about the belt is that there are two belt loops, which means you can adjust the height so it best suits you.  WEARING: Size S (fits true to size). Measures 47cm underarm to underarm and is 117cm long 5 | Goelia Contrast Trim Straight Women Pants With Elastic Waistband I have seen a lot of these sorts of trousers out there of late. But the best I think I’ve come across, have been these from Goelia. I love the almost silky nature of the fabric, which gives them that good drape I keep talking about. They have the “taping”, or stripe down the sides, which I like as it adds in contrast, while also creating a lengthening visual line. Then the split at the hem allows the trouser to splay cleanly over your shoes. Mostly, I just like that these are an easy to wear pant, which have an inherently sporty feel. Something you can simply counterbalance with more dressed up wardrobe staples. WEARING: Size M (I think the S would also be fine so stick TTS for a regular fit, or go up one for a more relaxed fit. Measures 38cm across the waistband laid flat, 104cm long, 32cm rise and 76cm inseam. 6 | Goelia 19 Momme Mulberry Silk Twist Waist Top Elegance is in the DNA of this pretty stretch-silk twist top. I tend to look at most items through the lens of how their styling can be maximised, and this instantly struck me as a sophisticated evening option, or alternatively a top you could wear to the office, as you have ample coverage at the top of the arm. The twist effect is subtle, but effective, and the v-neck reveals a little skin, but still feels modest. For the office, I’d recommend pairing it with a fitted black tank underneath as I found even with high waisted trousers, you can accidentally end up flashing a little bit of midriff. It’s smocked at the back, though I find that this is a tad relaxed on me. If you really want to “snatch” your waist, then I’d size down. WEARING: Size S (but size down one if you want a snug fit at the waist). Measures 54cm underarm to underarm, 55cm long (at back), and 33cm across waistband unstretched. 7 | Goelia Triacetate Reversible Cape-Style Women Top Another really elegant top which gives you plenty of styling options. Worn loose, tucked, and it’s also reversible – though personally, I think it looks best with the split detail at the back. The fabric is hefty, which I think lends itself well to the caped design. This is nice worn layered over the top of a thin merino knit – a simple way to transition from S/S to A/W. A great piece to have on rotation for those days where you’re going from desk to dinner. WEARING: Size S (it’s generously cut). Measures 47cm underarm to underarm and is 63cm long. 8 | Goelia Silk Blend Straight Women Velvet Pants I call these my fancy pants. The plush velvet adds this sense of luxury, and they are oh so soft, which is likely down to the mulberry silk blend. Perfect for adding texture to an outfit, and for those in the Northern Hemisphere, a great option for festive season dressing that doesn’t feel “obvious”. Comfort is king and I like that these have an elasticised back (good stretch – perfect if you’re someone who bloats a little, like me!), and the velvet has some weight to it so they fall very nicely. Not cut too wide through the leg either, making these a good option for petites. And, for that subtle little detailing, there’s a woven ladder trim down the side seams. WEARING: Size 26 (fits true to size). Measures 34cm across waistband laid flat, 102cm long, 28cm rise and 74cm inseam. 9 | Goelia Wool Blend Stand Collar Single-Breasted Women Jacket These chic, ladylike jackets are something of a Goelia signature, and while I’ll always opt for one in an easy neutral, I love that there’s a full spectrum of colours (pastels, brights etc). I was drawn to this particular style because of the stand collar, the champagne textured buttons, and the H-cut shape, which is equal in width at the shoulders and the hips (great for most body types). It’s very subtle on the website, but in real life the wool tweed has a fine silver thread running throughout, which catches the light brilliantly. This gives the jacket an air of formality, and it’s probably no surprise that my favourite way to style this is with a cream silk maxi (and heels!). WEARING: Size M (I often size up in Goelia jackets). Measures 48cm underarm to underarm and is 52cm long. 10 | Goelia Acetate Knitted Striped Pullover Ending on a high note, with one of Goelia’s striped pieces. This is one of the areas where the brand well and truly shines. An easy tank, elevated by the details. A slightly capped sleeve, fitted through the body, and the cable knitted pattern adding that ever important textural component. This is more of a regular/cropped style, so an excellent choice for petites or those with a shorter torso (on me, a long torso gal, it just meets the waistband of most of my high waisted pants). This has a lot of stretch to it, which makes it a really comfortable piece to wear. WEARING: Size S (fits true to size for a slim fit). Measures 39cm underarm to underarm unstretched and is 49cm long.