Everything I wore last week | 25
Kicking off January with lots of hot weather looks, a linen mini dress for brunch with the kids and a practical yet stylish look for the Australian Open!
Hello lovely people!
I’m back with my first ‘Everything I Wore Last Week’ for 2025! How have you been? I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are feeling ready to embrace the new year.
I have to admit, I wasn’t quite ready to jump back into work last week—I was perfectly happy spending lazy days at the beach and paddleboarding. But alas, all good things must come to an end, right?
Getting dressed last week really helped me ease into the new year and get back into my routine—and there were so many outfits I truly loved! To keep myself motivated and make an effort every day, I’ve committed to a 28-day insta challenge where I’m sharing my real, everyday outfits as a 40-year-old mum of three.
So, let’s dive into the details behind the looks…
MONDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = WIDE LEG JEANS âž• TEE âž•SWEATER âž• BIRKENSTOCKS
Outfit Details…I eased into my first work-from-home day of the new year with this little outfit that made the transition so much easier (helped by the fact it was pouring outside!). These ecru wide-leg jeans always make me feel polished, especially paired with my all-time favorite white tee for a simple base. I layered it with a cozy cashmere sweater and finished the look with comfy Birkenstocks—perfect for a relaxed yet put-together WFH vibe.
TUESDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = WIDE LEG JEANS âž•KNITTED TEE âž• BLAZER âž• SANDALS
Outfit Details…This is the outfit I wore to the office on Tuesday. I knew I wanted to style my wide-leg jeans (I hadn’t worn them much over the holidays because it’s been so hot, but I took full advantage of the freezing office aircon!). I built the look around them, pairing them with a knitted tee that added some lovely texture. To elevate the outfit, I reached for my black blazer, pushing up the sleeves for a more relaxed vibe, and finished with strappy black sandals for a polished touch.
WEDNESDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = DENIM SHORTS âž•STRIPED SHIRT âž•SANDALS
Outfit Details…Wednesday was a scorcher, and since I was WFH, I went straight for my 90’s style denim shorts that I bought last year from Ceres Life. I almost reached for a simple white tee but, at the last minute, opted for another preloved gem: an Assembly Label striped short-sleeve shirt (tucked in on one side). I completed the look with my hardest-working summer shoes—my brown Assembly Label sandals. It was the perfect outfit for staying cool and popping out with the kids for lunch!
THURSDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = DENIM SHORTS âž• LINEN CROPPED TOP âž• SWEATER âž• SANDALS
Outfit Details…another 30+ degree day in Melbourne! After a productive day working from home, we hosted some of our lovely friends for an evening BBQ. It was so nice to sit outside, enjoy the warm weather, indulge in delicious food, and soak up even better company.
This outfit carried me seamlessly through the entire day (don’t you just love when that happens?). There’s something so effortlessly elevated about pairing stone-wash tones with black. To add a pop of colour, I threw on my green cashmere sweater in the morning (though it wasn’t needed later on) and finished the look with my trusty Assembly Label sandals.
FRIDAY DAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = JEANS âž• BLOUSE âž• SANDALS
Outfit Details…. what I wore for a day in the office on Friday. There’s nothing better than the classic combo of jeans and a nice top! These Everlane barrel jeans have been a wardrobe hero since I bought them—they’re incredibly versatile, easy to dress up or down, and the perfect fit doesn’t hurt either. I paired them with one of my favourite feminine blouses from Sezane. I’ve had this piece for a couple of years now, and I still adore the ruffle detailing—it adds just the right amount of elegance to an otherwise simple outfit.
FRIDAY NIGHT
OUTFIT FORMULA = DRESS âž• SWEATER âž• SANDALS
outfit details, Daughters of India dress* (get 15% off any order with this link)
Outfit Details…. With all the excitement of the holidays, I’d completely forgotten I had a ticket to see Sister Act: The Musical in Melbourne! It turned out to be such a fantastic night. I started with a pre-theatre dinner at Fonda—some of the yummiest Mexican food—and then headed to the show. Sister Actwas absolutely brilliant, and I’d highly recommend seeing it if you’re in Melbourne. The cast was fabulous, and the whole night was just so much fun!
For my outfit, I kept it simple with a white cotton maxi dress from Daughters of India and my trusty brown sandals that I’d been wearing all day. I draped my Uniqlo cashmere sweater over my shoulders in case it got chilly and finished the look with my fun Joules leopard-print bag, which I’ve had for years. Classic, comfortable, and perfect for the occasion!
SATURDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = LINEN MINI DRESS âž• SANDALS
Outfit Details…Saturday was another scorcher, and as I was solo parenting my 3 kids, I knew I had to get us out of the house early to beat the heat. While I could have easily reached for a pair of shorts and a tee, I opted for my black linen mini dress instead. It’s the perfect option for staying cool and comfortable, and it worked brilliantly for a casual brunch with the kids.
I’ve said it before—I love summer, but dressing for it can be tricky. Without layers to add texture and interest, hot-weather outfits can sometimes feel a bit too simple. But this year, I’ve really embraced the power of great staple pieces like this dress and focused on accessorising well to make my summer looks feel intentional and polished.
SUNDAY
OUTFIT FORMULA = DENIM SHORTSâž•CAMI âž• LINEN SHIRT âž• SNEAKERS
Outfit details…This time of year truly is the most wonderful in Melbourne—I absolutely love the two weeks when the Australian Open takes over the city! It’s a tradition for me to get tickets every year, soaking up the incredible atmosphere and enjoying some fantastic tennis. I always take my eldest kids, and this year we went on the first day. Despite the rain, we made the most of it by bunkering down in one of the arenas with a closed roof and watching a full day of matches—it was amazing!
Over the years, I’ve gotten much better at dressing for the AO. It’s almost always scorching hot, so light layers, sunscreen, and a hat are essentials. This year, I opted for my denim shorts (again!) and a simple black cami, layering a white linen shirt over the top for some extra sun protection. Normally, I’d go for sandals, but knowing comfort was key, I wore my New Balance 327s instead. While I may not have been fully prepared for the wet weather, it didn’t dampen my tennis spirit one bit!
That’s a wrap on this week’s Substack! Thank you so much for reading and following along—I hope it’s sparked some outfit inspiration to help you kick off the new year in style. If you know someone who could use a little wardrobe inspiration, feel free to share this with them too!
Until next time!
Julia x
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