How to Dress Up & Down (& Get MORE Out of Your Clothes)

You don’t have to keep buying garments for all kinds of events and situations (only to still somehow find yourself saying “I have nothing to wear”)!

Once you learn how to dress up and down your clothes, you’ll unlock lots of new possibilities and outfits using what’s already in your wardrobe, only purchasing what you genuinely need.

For example, as a millennial, I'm still so excited about the switch from our peplums or glittery ‘going-out tops’ to simply elevating a more basic style with glamorous jewellery.

And as an eco-conscious consumer, I love how dressing up and down can also reduce our environmental footprint.

So, I’ll show you how you can start doing that, too.

Unexpected benefits of dressing up and down your clothes

• Self-expression and creativity – Instead of ‘getting lazy’ chasing trends and buying new fast fashion clothes every time, you get to unleash your creativity and embrace styles that feel ‘you’!
• Sustainability – You’ll find yourself becoming more mindful with your clothes, rewearing them for longer (and just 9 additional months will lower your environmental footprint by 20%) and buying fewer but higher-quality ones more mindfully. This will reduce overconsumption and make it easier to support ethical brands
• Saving money in the long run – Buying less but better and rewearing your garments for longer is great for your wallet, too
• Long-term satisfaction – The dopamine hit of an impulse purchase feels good in the moment, but overconsumption is designed to keep you unhappy in the long run! Instead, rewearing clothes you love and embracing self-expression (including learning to dress them up and down) will make you feel more content and like your best self

How to dress down or up your clothes

Start from a small capsule wardrobe of versatile staples 

I’ll share overall advice to dress up and down using other garments, too.

However, I recommend prioritising a handful of versatile basics and key pieces that sit in the middle and can easily become more casual or formal depending on how you complete the rest of the outfit. 

For example:

• White t-shirt
• Simple long sleeve top 
• Button down-shirt or blouse 
• Jeans (mid or dark wash)
• Tailored trousers with a relaxed fit
• Basic midi skirt
• Classic midi or slip dress 

I’ll show you specific examples for each of these pieces.

But in the meantime, here are the generic guidelines I promised you.

How to dress down your clothes

Relax the structure of your main garment(s) and add a spontaneous vibe using:

• Softer fabrics (like wool)
• Looser fits or layers (like a cardigan)
• Causal pieces and accessories (like trainers and costume jewellery)

How to dress up your clothes

Increase the structure, polish, and intention behind your outfit, prioritising:

• Cleaner lines and sharper fits (like structured blazers)
• Elevated materials (like silk), and mixing smooth and textured fabrics
• Classic and monochrome item, using accent colour or statement pieces mindfully (like only having one patterned garment)
• Minimal jewellery (like earrings that match your necklace)

Examples of how to dress up and down starting from your basics

White t-shirt

How to dress it up:

• Tuck it into tailored trousers or a more elegant skirt (like a pencil skirt or a classy midi skirt)
• Add a structured blazer
• Finish with leather loafers or heels

How to dress it down:

• Add loose denim (especially a light wash)
• Layer an open flannel or cardigan
• Add trainers

Long sleeve top

How to dress it up:

• Wear a structured blazer
• Tuck it into tailored trousers or a midi skirt
• Add minimal jewellery

How to dress it down:

• Add a cardigan
• Wear it with light-wash denim
• Roll your sleeves slightly
• Add trainers

Button-down shirt / blouse

How to dress it up:

• Tuck it into tailored trousers or a midi-skirt, and add a belt for structure 
• Layer it with a blazer
• Wear heels or loafers

How to dress it down:

• Consider layering it over a t-shirt and wearing it unbuttoned, or wear it oversized and half-tucked
• Pair it up with light-wash denim
• Choose flats or trainers 

Jeans (mid or dark wash)

How to dress them up:

• Wear them with a timeless shirt or an elegant blouse
• Add a structured blazer
• Wear a bold coat or jacket (for example, with animal prints)
• Wear heels or loafers

How to dress them down:

• Wear a t-shirt or hoodie
• Add soft layers like a cardigan
• Choose trainers 

Tailored trousers with a relaxed fit

How to dress them up:

• Wear a timeless shirt or silk blouse 
• Add a structured blazer
• Choose loafers, heels, or pointed shoes
• Add minimal jewellery 

How to dress them down:

• Choose a t-shirt and tuck it in
• Add casual knit layers
• Wear trainers 

Neutral midi skirt

How to dress it up:

• Tuck in a fitted top, blouse, or white shirt
• Add a tailored blazer
• Wear heels or sleek boots
• Finish the look with minimal jewellery

How to dress it down:

• Pair it with a t-shirt (and consider wearing it untucked or half-tucked)
• Add an oversized cardigan
• Complete the look with trainers or flat sandals

Classic midi or slip dress

How to dress it up:

• Layer it with a structured blazer or a more formal jacket 
• Define your waist with a belt
• Add heels or elegant shoes
• Wear minimal matching jewellery

How to dress it down:

• Layer a t-shirt underneath 
• Add a chunky knit or denim jacket
• Wear trainers or flats

Finding the right pieces to dress up or down your clothes on Project Cece

Now that you know how to dress up and down your clothes, you’ll get the very most out of the ones already in your wardrobe.

Missing some key pieces? Buy less but more mindfully by choosing new items that go with your existing ones and that were made ethically. 

At Project Cece, we brought hundreds of fairtrade brands in one place and added filters to simplify your choices.

So, finding the right clothes and accessories to dress up and down your current ones has never been easier!

Start shopping (mindfully)

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