Getting dressed can be unpredictable. Some days, we wake up, jump out of bed and whip on the first thing we find in our wardrobes. Our hair seems to fall out of a messy bun to look like a big, bouncy blow dry and somehow, someway our skin has that eight-hour sleep glow that you can’t really get from any fancy serum, no matter how hard the marketing team may try. It’s times like these when Beyoncé’s “I woke up like this” lyrics suddenly seem relatable (well, ish).

Other days, the jeans we wore the day before seem to now be two sizes too small, that one dress we were hoping to wear is in the dry cleaners and, in a matter of minutes, most of our wardrobe is on the floor as we declare “I have nothing to wear”. Sadly, it’s these mornings that seem to be a much more regular occurrence than the flawless ones.

The good news is that none of us are alone in these feelings. So, to lend a helping hand, team Stylist have rallied around to share our top tips on what to wear on days that seem destined to be stressful, and some of us have even added our own outfit pics for inspiration. So, next time you’re fussing over your newly made floordrobe, maybe keep a couple of these in mind. 

“I do this so much that it’s become a running joke in the office, but I genuinely think adding red shoes, bags, socks or another red item to my outfits has saved me from countless morning wardrobe meltdowns. It’ll turn otherwise boring looks into something that feels thought through and make you look like you’re a total pro at wearing colour, even if you rarely veer from denim and black.” Holly Bullock, features writer.

“My top tip on what to wear when you have nothing to wear is a block denim outfit – it is so timeless and most people have a denim shirt and jeans that they can put together. Recently I have been wearing a washed out denim Gap shirt (£35) and Topshop baggy jeans (£46) on repeat with nude leather ballet flats. Cos (from £85) and Aligne (from £99) both do great denim co-ords. It’s a formula that can’t miss.” Lucy Reber, fashion director. 

“I am, for my sins, a woman in black: the vast majority of my wardrobe consists of dark colours which makes laundry days easy but coming up with an interesting outfit for weekend dinners and drinks virtually impossible. I like to wear clothes that I can throw on and easily mix and match because I’m usually running late so I’ve started investing in shirts that are still relatively monochrome (the heart wants what it wants!) but add interest with a cool texture or pattern instead. They make an outfit look more considered and ‘styled’ with very little effort.” Meena Alexander, associate editor. 

“The power of a great white T-shirt is so underrated – it can solve so many wardrobe quandaries. I take a lot of time looking for white T-shirts, I’m specific about thickness, sleeve-length and fit. My current favourites are Skim’s slightly oversized super-soft style (£56) (I size down), & Other Stories and Cos (£30) do great structured, slightly cropped styles, Arket do a great oversized style that works well if you love that supersized look and Albaray’s boxy style is another failsafe (£29). I think a crisp white T-shirt can work with anything, particularly denim and high-waisted, wide-leg tailored trousers but also with pyjama-style cotton trousers or bermuda denim shorts.” Kitty McGee, fashion and beauty director. 

“When I don’t know what to wear, I always seem to don my oversized denim jacket that I picked up at a pre-loved clothing event years ago. I can make it more cool-girl dressy or super casual and gives me something to focus the rest of my outfit around.” Rebecca Finan, digital delivery manager. 

“My quick tip for when I need something to wear and have no idea what is my black tiered maxi skirt. It’s got an elasticated waist so it’s mega comfortable, it’s black so it mostly goes with everything (a casual T-shirt or a nicer, more structured blouse) and it’s got a really great floaty shape to it so it’s perfect for summer or warmer autumnal days because it’s light and airy.” Shahed Ezaydi, writer. 

“I bought this longline waistcoat in Mango (£35.99) a few months ago – and saying I live in it is no exaggeration. I love how perfectly it pairs with black, wide-leg trousers for a smart-casual look to wear into the office, or I add it to jeans and trainers to instantly elevate them. The tailored cut makes it look much more luxe than a high-street find, too.” Susanne Norris, deputy digital editor. 

“For me, it’d probably be reaching for a pair of wide-legged trousers and white T-shirt. I feel like it’s a failsafe duo that always strikes the perfect balance of ‘smart-casual’ and will always give an impression of looking pulled together. Throw on some Converse and a pair of gold hoops and I’m good to go.” Hanna Ibraheem, beauty director. 

“I’m not the biggest dress person, but I do have two on hand for when I’m really stuck for what to wear. One’s a more casual green waffle knit maxi that has racked up a huge number of compliments and the other is a chic black frock that really can work for any occasion. If in doubt, these always come to the rescue, so it’s well worth investing in something similar.” Lauren Cunningham, fashion contributor.  

Imges: Getty; courtesy of Stylist team