I 've worked as a fashion editor and stylist for more than a decade, and I can finally say that I've arrived at a point where my closet is meticulously edited. If you look at it, there are two distinct parts. First, there's the fancy, over-the-top side, reserved for special occasions or big events like fashion week. I love this part of my wardrobe, but if I'm being honest, it feels more like a costume than a reflection of my personal style.
Then there's the half of my closet that gets the most wear: the sleek, minimalist cornerstones. I turn to them regularly—whether I’m attending meetings, styling on set, or going out to dinners with friends. This part of my wardrobe is full of the work-to-weekend heroes and foundation pieces that are truly indicative of my style: minimalist with avant-garde twists in the form of pleats, bright pops of color, and even the occasional ruffle. After all, what’s a uniform if not a signature aesthetic? The most stylish women have one.
There's a special satisfaction I get when someone compliments my day-to-day wardrobe, but the best part is getting to tell those who ask that I source my favorite pieces from COS. So, when it comes to refreshing my style for the season, it's no surprise that I'm turning there.
On an average day, my uniform tends to be a sleek knit tucked into a skirt. Usually, I'm in head-to-toe black. With that in mind, the first two must-have items on my spring shopping list are a black longline blazer and a black leather dress. The long line jacket that has been the dominant silhouette on the runways in the last few years should hit at the hip for a more relaxed vibe. And, yes, most of us own plenty of LBDs, but a leather style is a welcome way to add some visual interest with texture.
Before you write off black for spring, consider the hue as a base to layer on bright colors. Think: a bold red dress under the blazer or pairing the dress with a flashy pair of metallic sandals. These looks can be a bridge between your winter and spring wardrobe—especially during those periods of in-between weather when it’s too warm for a cashmere sweater, yet too chilly for bare arms.
Once it does warm up, I swap out the long sleeves in favor of a versatile white tank top, which was the one piece every editor went wild for after seeing it on the runway in February. Instead of waiting to wear it next year, get ahead of the trend and get yourself one you can wear with everything from pencil skirts to slouchy khaki pants to sharp slacks. It's an effortless styling trick that anyone can pull off, especially if you finish with square-toed white heels for an unexpected touch.
Some might write uniform dressing as uninspired. But I'd argue that you'd need to be even more creative to mix-and-match pieces to reflect your signature look. A pop of color layered over neutrals is a handy styling trick I like to use to add some oomph. Bold hues are an easy way to keep it exciting and flattering if you're into minimalist clothes. So, while I might rely on head-to-toe black most of the time or opt to wear the white tank as my wardrobe workhorse, I'll throw in the occasional wildcard too, like a bright orange tunic or a vibrant blue button down, to take an outfit into an entirely new direction.
If you're considering adopting a minimalist uniform wardrobe similar to mine, the best way to do so is by establishing a formula for yourself. This season, take a look at the items in your closet and hone in on the pieces you find yourself reaching for again and again. Then head to COS, for the updated style heroes that'll make your uniform feel exciting. Take it from a fashion editor. That's how you take minimalist styling to the next level.
Diana Tsui is a stylist and writer living in New York City. She also writes for The New York Times, W, Elle, and more. Previously she was the senior market editor at New York Magazine's The Cut.
