THE JOURNAL
Illustration by Alisa Gao
Some of us just want to get noticed. And the way we dress is one of the easiest ways to achieve this. Why raise your voice over everyone else when your clothes can do it for you? Others, meanwhile, are happy to keep their heads down. What they wear tends to whisper rather than shout. But pay attention and their subtler style choices shine through.
The outfit we choose to wear each morning says a lot about how we feel ourselves and how we fit into to wider society. Only, the question is the volume it speaks at. Here, two members of the MR PORTER team offer differing accounts on dressing to blend in or stand out.
Stand out from the crowd
Rachel O-Williams, Assistant Personal Shopper
Great style rarely comes from playing it safe. And the best-dressed people know when to follow the rules and when to ignore them. What matters more than convention is conviction.
We’re often told, for example, that certain colours don’t work together. That bold prints should be toned down. Or that bright pieces need to be “balanced”. These guidelines can be useful, but they’re far from universal. A vibrant colour or striking pattern only looks out of place when the person wearing it doesn’t feel comfortable in it. Confidence has a remarkable way of making even the most unexpected combinations feel intentional.
The most stylish among us also don’t let trends dictate their wardrobes – they filter them through their own perspective. They borrow what feels authentic, ignore what doesn’t and allow their personal style to remain the constant.
Clothes are among the few things we have complete agency over. In a world where much of our lives is governed by routines, expectations and rules, what we wear remains a rare opportunity for genuine self-expression. That doesn’t mean the loudest outfit in the room or chasing novelty for its own sake. It means understanding who you are and allowing your wardrobe to reflect it.
“Confidence has a way of making even the most unexpected combinations feel intentional”
What stops us from dressing like our true selves? More often than not, it’s overthinking things. We tend to imagine that everyone is paying close attention to what we’re wearing, when, in reality, most people are far too preoccupied with themselves to notice. And if they do notice, it’s usually out of curiosity or admiration rather than judgement. The fear of standing out is often much greater than the reality of it.
If you’re looking to become more adventurous with your style, don’t feel you have to reinvent your wardrobe overnight. The most lasting changes happen gradually. Start by replacing one familiar element with something a little more expressive. Pair your navy suit with a vibrant pair of socks that only reveal themselves as you walk. Swap a plain tie for one with a bold pattern or richer colour. Trade your usual grey knit for something in forest green, burnt orange or burgundy.
These small shifts can completely change the character of an outfit. As your confidence grows, so does your willingness to experiment. I’m not saying to dress louder for the sake of it, but to become comfortable wearing clothes that feel like an honest reflection of who you are.
Dressing like everyone else may feel like the safer option, but it often comes at the expense of individuality. If everyone looks the same, clothing ceases to say anything. After all, your wardrobe is more than a collection of garments. It’s one of the clearest ways you have to communicate your personality. Why settle for blending in when dressing well offers you the opportunity to stand apart?
Subtlety is the best policy
Lewis Malpas, Creative Director
I think people would probably describe my style as relaxed, classic and considered. Or, depending on who you ask, somewhat safe and traditional. Even, dare I say it, boring. I’d argue, however, for the many benefits of a more subdued wardrobe. In my somewhat biased opinion, there’s a quiet confidence and sense of mystery to dressing this way that is more fun to unpick than anything too loud or flamboyant.
Denim and knitwear form the foundation of my wardrobe. So much so that I’m on a self-imposed knitwear hiatus and I’m consciously trying to expand into other categories in a bid to add some variation to my roster.
Comfort is always the starting point for me, so I’m naturally drawn to quality fabrics and slightly looser silhouettes. I don’t like to overcomplicate getting dressed and often feel my best in relatively simple clothes that offer up an interesting shape. I routinely wear pleated trousers paired with a crew-neck jumper in either merino or cashmere. You could label this uniform as safe – it certainly sounds that way on paper – however, if you pay attention to the details and get the silhouette right, then these fairly simple outfits can start to shine, remaining timeless without fighting for attention.
I tend not to follow trends too closely, more using them as subtle inspiration for how I can style pieces I already own. Be it the fit of a trouser, an approach to layering or a seasonal colour that I can introduce into my wardrobe.
“I often feel my best in relatively simple clothes that offer up an interesting shape”
My wardrobe is quite monochromatic and mainly made up of navy and black, however I’ve recently started to add earthy tones in the hope they complement my complexion. But with that as a base, there’s the opportunity to use punchier colours to stop things from becoming too predictable and monotonous.
There aren’t many colours that I actively try to avoid, although I prefer clothes devoid of pattern. Instead, I favour items with an interesting material, shape or texture – details that add subtle flair without shouting.
I recently brought a pair of ultra-fine wool trousers from Auralee in a beautiful shade of olive green, which drape perfectly and feel as effortless with sneakers as they do with a formal shoe – I’ll be wearing mine with a low-profile sneaker from Dries Van Noten or a classic loafer from the likes of MORJAS.
I often scrutinise the pieces in my wardrobe and flirt with the idea of a full-blown rebrand or wardrobe glow-up. However, I’ve learnt its best to slowly evolve, adding new pieces while learning to style what I already own in new ways. I’m a huge advocate for removing anything that no longer fits or feels uncomfortable, making way for pieces that reflect who you are today and make you feel more stylish and confident. And there’s nothing boring about that.