The 7 pieces a fashion editor swears by for better style, every day.

If you want to support independent women's media, become a Mamamia subscriber. Get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos and our exercise app, MOVE.

2025 has been a big year for celebrity street style.

There's always an appetite for tracking what famous women are wearing, but lately the focus has shifted from red carpets to running errands.

While A-listers' looks for premieres and film festivals might make global headlines, it's their "off-duty" outfits — the ones captured by paparazzi as they go about their daily lives — that get the most consistent attention across the fashion press, Pinterest and TikTok, where celebrity style is unpacked and dissected down to the tiny details.

Watch: Are skinny jeans really back? We weigh in on our fashion podcast, Nothing To Wear. Post continues below.

LA-based stylist Dani Michelle works with both Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, and she's responsible for sourcing the "effortless" outfits that keep them on best-dressed lists and popping up on your feeds (she also counts Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and supermodel Elsa Hosk as clients.)

Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber are styled by Dani Michelle. Images: Instagram/@kendalljenner; @haileyrhodebieber.

When being fashionable is part of your brand, the "in-between" moments count just as much as the red carpets.

It's an analogy we can apply to our own lives too — because let's face it, most of us aren't going to the Met Gala any time soon.

Fashion content creator Des Awofeso, who goes by the name 'Style Strategist' on her social channels, recently shared a reel on her Instagram that outlined this concept perfectly.

She said the sign of a true well-dressed person is how they dress casually.

"Most people can figure it out when you have to get dressed up," she shared.

However, it's the times when you're dashing to the post office, picking up kids or grabbing coffee on the weekend that represent your actual style, she said.

"It's the biggest part of how we spend our lives, and it's what we do when no one's looking," Des concluded.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Des Awofeso | Style Strategist (@stylemaxdes)

In short, her thesis is that you can't be stylish with bad casual outfits.

It's one of those blanket statements that feels a bit personal, a bit close-to-home, because it is.

Many of us struggle to look put-together in our daily lives, especially when we're managing our kids' chaotic morning routines or just trying to get to the office on-time (preferably with a hot drink in hand and not spilt on our top).

But there are some small steps you can take to improve your daily style without needing an overhaul of your entire closet.

And no, I'm not going to serve you with another article about the merits of building a capsule wardrobe.

In my opinion, the concept of "capsule dressing" is just not all that realistic.

Editing your closet down to a core selection of polished items that you mix and match daily on a consistent basis sounds good in theory, but a bit redundant in the long-term.

Even "classic" pieces, like blazers, jeans and t-shirts, date eventually.

Plus, wearing the same styles constantly can get boring… and it certainly doesn't leave much room for experimentation or self-expression.

Your casual style should give you the confidence to go about your day feeling good about yourself.

So what pieces will give you the most payoff in your in-between moments?

While there's no cookie-cutter approach, there are 7 key items I'd recommend to start off the new year strong.

An oversized denim jacket.

Blazers are all well and good, but they don't exactly translate to casual-wear. You need an alternative that feels cool and somewhat timeless, able to be thrown on over athleisure, loungewear or a t-shirt and shorts. For me, the answer is a roomy denim jacket.

Look for one that's deliberately oversized to give your outfit more interesting proportions. A pale blue wash goes with everything.

Nude Lucy Sia Denim Jacket, now $95.

Image: Nude Lucy.

PrettyLittleThing Light Blue Wash Oversized Classic Denim Jacket, now $48.

Image: Pretty Little Thing.

Textured sneakers.

A pair of cool trainers really fits the brief here, because we're aiming for comfort without compromising on style. If you're going to update your sneakers for 2026, consider a pair in suede or ponyhair to add an element of texture to your look.

Neutral colours like beige and grey will always work, but a worn tomato red or forest green gives a casual fit a little more impact.

New Balance 471, $170.

Image: Stylerunner.

Adidas Gazelle Lo Pro, $180.

Image: The Iconic.

A structured T-shirt.

If you're looking for an everyday basic tee you can wear multiple ways, your safest bet is a weightier cotton style with some room in the cut to layer it over leggings or tuck into high-waisted jeans.

Steer away from colourful graphics or other design flourishes like scoop hems or fluttery sleeves; the simplicity is the statement.

I live in boxy white tees. Image: Supplied.

Once you have the perfect structured tee in your wardrobe, I promise you'll wonder how you ever got dressed without it.

Bronze Snake Unisex Emmett Box Tee, $49.

Image: Bronze Snake.

Bayse Jonas Boyfriend Tee, $69.95.

Image: Bayse.

Updated jeans.

We all know denim silhouettes change like the wind, and there are countless styles to choose from: barrel, straight-leg, flared, boot-cut... none of them are wrong, and the style that's right for you is the one that best fits your shape and works with the kinds of clothes you gravitate towards. If you live in long, floaty layers, you're probably not the type to embrace a cropped barrel leg.

Whatever style you choose, make sure the cut feels fresh and updated for now — it'll make a huge difference to the look of your other items. For example, a straight-leg blue jean adds some polish to tank tops and collared shirts, while a white cropped style works beautifully with knitwear and blouses.

Feather + Noise Cassie Cropped Leg Jean, $99.95.

Image: Feather & Noise.

Assembly Label Vintage Straight Jeans, $120.

Image: The Iconic.

A bright cap.

This is my best cheat-code for those errand days when you CBF styling your hair or just need to look more put-together in a hurry. I have a hook by my door with caps I've collected over the years, from my trusty New York Yankees hat to bright souvenir caps from my travels.

Wearing one of my many caps. Image: Supplied.

They make casual outfits look instantly chicer (and I've noticed this is a trick lots of celebs swear by too.)

Target Womens Embroidered Cap, $12.

Image: Target.

Big W &Me Women's Embroidered Cap, $7.

Image: Big W.

A directional day bag.

Ladies, if you take one piece advice from this article, give yourself permission to update your handbag.

Many of us resort to the same tired tote or crossbody we've been carrying for years, and save the good ones for rare nights out — but making the switch to a "nice" day bag will help do the heavy lifting when your outfit is super casual.

Lately, I've been carrying a chocolate leather mini bag with a gold buckle for days out with my toddler, and I feel so much more pulled together when I head out the door. Yes, I also have a multicoloured backpack in tow, but at least both our bags are cute.

My mini bag, from Vestirsi. Image: Supplied.

Vestirsi Sloane Mini Dark Chocolate Suede Crossbody Clutch, $299.

Image: Vestirsi.

Maison De Sabre The Mini Saddle Bag, now $284.25.

Image: The Iconic.

Chic sunglasses.

Obviously, I wasn't going to leave you without a pair of shades. There's no faster way to elevate your look, especially when you're out and about. Oversized sunnies are in the spotlight again for 2026, and the new rounded 'shield' shape we're seeing on the market is just as wearable as the aviator that's been trending for the past few seasons.

If you're into more refined styles, take a look at the gold-rimmed oval sunglasses having a moment; they'll give your outfit a touch of casual glamour, no matter where you're headed.

Luv Lou x Ash Holmes the Ash, $190.

Image: Stylerunner.

Lu Goldie Lara, $199.

Image: Lu Goldie.

Feature image: Supplied.

At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.