6 ways to up your jeans and jumper look

Giving your everyday uniform oomph

When I think about what I wear most of the time, it's jeans and a jumper. They're easy to chuck on in the morning, all-day comfortable and practical - the holy trinity of dressing with kids. 

They also look great together. The softness of knitwear works so well against stiff denim. So as far as everyday uniforms go, it's a killer formula. 

However, it can get pretty boring. Especially if you gravitate towards the same jumper/jean styles again and again. Which I do. 

My rut is a camel jumper with high-rise straight legs. It's remarkable how many days on the trot I can wear variants of this outfit. Or if I'm very honest, the exact same outfit that lives in a little pile on the bench at the end of my bed.

I find camel - and similar beigey shades - so damn appealing. I think it's the Gwyneth Paltrow, quiet luxury vibe they give off. And actually, a lot of baby-related stains sit in the cream-to-brown colour spectrum (milk, snot, banana, poo) so they're quite sensible in that respect. 

BUT if I see myself in the mirror one more time looking the same, same, same, I might just give up. 

If this sounds like you, below are a few simple (and fun!) ways to switch things up and give your jeans and jumper look style elevation.

Switch to a V-neck

V-necks are having a moment this season and if you're usually wedded to a crew-neck, it's a nice change. I find classic vs make me feel like I'm wearing school uniform, whereas a high-cut version is more cool and in the know. COS’ high v (£85) is similar to the Totême style all the fashion editors are wearing, but obvs much cheaper. You could wear cornflower with blue jeans, but it looks even better against chocolate brown (£87).

Do a stripe

We’re hardly thinking outside of the box here but stripes are such a style classic and go so well with denim. I’ve mentioned before that since having kids I've felt a bit middle-aged in Bretons, but the button placket on Sezane’s Lucas jumper (£110) gives it an off-duty sexy vibe that's really working for me. While we’re talking about Sezane, take a look at the Brut Sexy jeans (£95). I had a reader request for mid-blue straight legs and these are The. One. I've had mine for over five years and they still look great.

OR! If you already have a striped jumper that needs updating, try layering a shirt underneath. The double-up of stripes in the outfit below looks very considered and styled, but is actually really easy. Try it with Gap’s cotton shirt (£40).

Try Red

A bright colour is always a good way to inject some energy into your outfit and there’s something about cherry red that feels so good right now. If you are into neutrals like me, red is a wonderful compliment to grey, navy and of course beige.

I'm hooked on the idea of wearing it in a waist-band-length crew-neck or prim little cardigan silhouette. And with a paler-wash denim which feels springy. Essentially I want to look like this...

This Benetton cardi (£55.95) would look ace with these Arket jeans (£97). The proportion play of a fitted top and loose bottoms works really well.

Add a collar

If you’re feeling a bit scruffy and want to add polish without having to make too much effort, try a knitted top with a collar. If I had lots of money I’d get & Daughter’s Edith polo. But this Massimo Dutti version (£69.95) is also super chic. Half tuck it into COS’ tapered mid-blue jeans (£69).

Whistles’ ribbed collar cardi (£119) is such a great shape and shade of brown. I love the 90s feel that a ribbed knit has, too. Browny/taupe shades pair so beautifully with white jeans (these!), but if that sounds like madness to you, a washed out black works equally well. I wear this pair from Levis’ (£100) A LOT.

Go sleeveless

A knitted tank is going to give your jeans a chic preppy feel. It's also a really useful layering piece to wear over T-shirts when the weather is a bit in-between. AND I find no sleeves means I don't get so hot on days when I’m running after the kids. M&S’ ribbed tank (£25) looks way more expensive than it is and is going to work with all of your jeans - but makes an especially wonderful team with Madewell’s utility wide legs (£120).

I can’t get enough of the Princess-Diana-at-the-Harbour-Club aesthetic of Sporty & Rich. This green (£150) pops under a beige trench. Just add Hush’s pleat-front jeans (£89) trainers and hoops.

Make it a maxi skirt

If you really want to shake things up, try swapping jeans for a denim maxi - aka the skirt of the season. I’ve recently tried on a load for a work thing and was sold on this black, raw edge style (£79). The key thing here is that it has a slit at the back, rather than the front. This stops you looking like a denim rectangle but also means no accidental crotch flashing when you crouch down. Consider it the skirt that will make your old jumpers look current.

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One more thing

I have hereditary bags plus I’m absolutely shattered, so my eyes are double tired. I’ve always been sceptical about eye creams but Sunday Riley Auto Correct (£60) has made a difference. My perma-bags aren't as noticeable, nor are my crows feet. In fact, I almost look well rested. It's expensive, but I think worth it for the time/money saved on under-eye concealer. And it’s pregnancy and breastfeeding safe.

That's all for now. You’re doing great, Frankie x