I've Been Wearing This Eternally Cool and Foolproof Outfit for 20 Years
From nights out in the '90s to fashion events in 2025.
Trends come and go—micro-hemlines that live for a season, sneakers that skyrocket then vanish, the It bag that becomes passé overnight. Fashion didn't used to be so fast, but with TikTok and social media, we're hit with a "what’s in and what’s out" post every few seconds. It can be dizzying and even just plain annoying. I think it’s why we see so many articles about the perfect “capsule wardrobe.” What people seem actually to be reaching for is how to dress for life but make it cool (and simple). For me, a sea of beige pants and white Oxford shirts just isn’t the answer and never has been.
Enter the perfect white tank and great-fitting jeans. For over two decades, this off-duty uniform has quietly refused to age (too bad I can’t say the same!). I’ve worn some variation of all of them to bars in the ’90s, vacations in the ’00s, and even throughout my pregnancies. It’s the outfit I feel most at home in, with air-dried hair, pink lip gloss, and some great jewelry. It says I have a point of view, but I also have places to go.
It’s the perfect foundation for any season. Pair it with an oversized blazer in the fall, a cozy off-the-shoulder sweater in winter, and a show-stopping bag and flip-flops in the summer—oh, and a tan doesn’t hurt either.
The great thing about a tank top and jeans, as simple as it is, is that it can always be updated. The rise and wash of the denim (Levi’s Wedgie boot-cut jeans and low rise Agolde are two of my favorites) and the fit and material of the tank (check out Sold Out NYC) give the outfit the updates it needs without being complicated or overly cost prohibitive, leaving more room in the budget for that Balenciaga City Bag or vintage Fendi baguette you’ve been eyeing.
Who am I? Hi Marie Claire! My name is Larissa Mills. I’m a style-focused creator, writer, and mom of two with a career that has spanned PR, education, marketing, and even makeup artistry. I’d rather inspire than influence and hope to do just that in my monthly articles for Marie Claire.
