How to Dress Like You Have Somewhere Better to Be: The Guide to Effortless City Chic
We’ve all seen her. She’s crossing the street with a coffee in one hand, sunglasses on, looking completely unbothered, slightly hurried, and incredibly chic. She doesn't look like she tried too hard; in fact, she looks like she threw her outfit on in five minutes, but she somehow looks like she owns the block. The secret to this "I have somewhere better to be" aesthetic isn't a trust fund or a closet full of runway pieces: it’s actually a formula. By mastering a few simple rules of styling, proportions, and color palettes, you can pull off this high-end, editorial look using budget-friendly pieces.
Here is your step-by-step guide to mastering the ultimate City Chic look without spending a fortune.
How the 90s Built a Uniform
To understand the current wave of obsession with ‘90s minimalism, we must first examine its emergence. Much like today, the initial minimalism takeover was a reaction against the various loud ‘80s trends. The excessively shoulder-padded suits, glittering logos, and abundant gold defined the decade of noise. ‘90s minimalism aimed to eliminate all of that in exchange for substance, looking for quality over quantity. Many designers embraced the minimalism era, altering their design principles in order to adapt. One of the most noteworthy was Calvin Klein, who turned his focus to sensuality and simple lines, famous for his slip dresses of the early '90s. Cathy Horin put it best: “Klein proved that vulnerability—the slip dress—was a far more powerful statement than covering up in volume and lace.” Klein secured the place of the monochrome palette and the concept of sensual simplicity. Both became hallmarks of the minimalism era, later implemented by others such as Tom Ford.
Step 1: Master the Rule of Proportions
According to top fashion stylists interviewed, the number one mistake people make when trying to wear modern, relaxed silhouettes is ignoring balance. If you wear oversized clothes from head to toe, you risk looking like you’re drowning in fabric; if you wear skin-tight clothes head to toe, it can feel a bit too deliberate.
Remember these two formulas:
Formula A: Tiny Top + Baggy Bottoms. Pair a fitted baby tee, a ribbed tank, or a sleek bodysuit with oversized, puddle hem trousers or baggy, mid rise dad jeans. It creates an effortless, streetwear adjacent silhouette that looks incredibly modern.
Formula B: Small Bottoms + Big/Baggy Top. Pair a mini skirt, tailored shorts, or biker shorts with an oversized crewneck, a chunky knit, or a massive button down. Letting a baggy top almost hide a tiny bottom creates the perfect contrast. It looks completely effortless, like you just threw it on, but still incredibly chic.
Step 2: Stick to an "Expensive Looking" Color Palette
When you're shopping on a lower budget, color is your greatest weapon. Bright, trendy neon shades or overly complex patterns are difficult to pull off cheaply because low quality dyes and fabrics show their flaws easily.
Instead, stick to an easy, neutral palette.
The Neutrals: Black, cream, oat, charcoal, chocolate brown, and crisp white.
The Rule: Pick one dominant neutral and build your outfit around it. An all cream outfit (even if it's just a cream knit and cream trousers) instantly looks like a luxury editorial. Mixing black and espresso brown is another highly underrated, expensive looking combination.
Step 3: Invest in the "Three Item" Rule
You don't need to buy a whole new wardrobe. To make clothes look expensive, you only need three high quality "anchors" to ground your outfit. When these three elements look polished, the rest of your outfit elevates with them:
1. A Blazer: Look for one with shoulder pads to give you a sharp silhouette. If it lacks shape, take a thrifted or cheap blazer to a local tailor: shaping the waist or shortening the sleeves by an inch makes the difference.
2. Pointed Toe Footwear: Whether it's a kitten heel, a ballet flat, or a boot, a pointed toe peeking out from underneath baggy trousers instantly elongates your legs and adds a sharp, intentional finish to a relaxed outfit.
3. Good Pair of Sunglasses: A pair of black, slightly angular sunglasses always does the job while also adding an immediate air of mystery.
The Final Touch: The "Unbothered" Attitude
The absolute key to looking like you have somewhere better to be is comfort. Pull your hair back into a claw clip, throw your favourite bag over your shoulder, walk with purpose, and let the outfit do all the work.