It stands as a testament to the power of minimalism that I, a self-confessed maximalist, hold a simple jeans-and-T-shirt look as one of the boldest and most striking a woman can have in her wardrobe. It reminds me of those episodes of America’s Next Top Model where Tyra Banks would teach the models what to wear to casting appointments. While we can probably attribute a long list of body hang-ups and trauma around gap teeth and hair transformations to that show, the visual of those girls swapping out busy, overthought ensembles for a pair of jeans and a vest top has always stuck with me.

As the colder weather rolls in, the simplicity of jeans with t-shirts and vests just isn’t practical. But with a few thoughtful additions, an elevated knit here, a structured coat there, the pared-back formula still holds. The bones of the outfit need to remain clean and simple, but the layers add depth, texture and functionality. In fact, I’d argue that autumn and winter offer even more opportunity to explore minimalism outfits with jeans than summer.