My Wardrobe Heroes

 

Happy New Year!

This is the time of year when the shops are awash with so-called sale bargains and it’s all too easy to get carried away and buy clothes that are destined to languish unworn in your wardrobe. Equally though, choose wisely and it can be a great opportunity to upgrade your wardrobe and invest in some classic pieces in quality fabrics that you may not otherwise be able to afford.

For me, it makes sense to invest in a relatively small number of well considered pieces that you love and will wear endlessly rather than having a vast hotch-potch of stuff you just wear occasionally – or not at all! Having said that, I am not a fan of the highly prescriptive approach to the capsule wardrobe adopted by some fashion editors whereby they dictate exactly what should be in your capsule wardrobe e.g. A crisp white shirt, a tailored black jacket etc etc. This  approach is unlikely to bring you wardrobe happiness. Why? Because we are all individuals with different lifestyles and preferences as well as physical characteristics. I don’t own a crisp white shirt or a tailored black jacket because white and black are really draining on me (especially when worn in combination!), I’m not keen on shirts and I prefer soft fabrics to crisp ones. Nonetheless, I do appreciate that some guidance regarding key items you might like to have in your wardrobe is useful. So here are my wardrobe heroes:

A Jacket

A jacket can instantly elevate your outfit and up your style credentials. It can be thrown on with jeans to smarten them up or layered over a dress to give it “edge” or authority. The type of jacket

you go for will be determined largely by your lifestyle and personal preferences but here are some suggestions:

• Blazer – this one is likely to appeal to those who have a fairly Classic style personality. Duchess Katherine is often seen wearing a blazer with jeans even when off-duty.
• Bomber/Trucker – these tend to appeal to those with more Natural style personalities who enjoy a casual lifestyle and way of dressing.
• Biker – a personal favourite (although I do like a soft blazer too). A biker in a supple leather adds a touch of luxe to an outfit and is wonderfully versatile.

A Dress

I know that not everyone is into dresses but personally I love them and I think there is a style to suit everyone. Also, a dress is such an easy garment to style because you don’t have to think too

much about what to wear it with as it’s an outfit in itself. Options include:

• Sweater dress – this is perfect for naturals. Cosy, generally doesn’t need ironing and can be paired with thick tights and boots.
• Shift dress – fitted or straight depending on your body shape. Beloved by Classics and City Chics, this style of dress is simple and stylish. Minimalists will want to keep it simple but the shift also lends itself to being layered up with jewellery, perhaps a scarf, belt etc.
• Shirt dress –  another timeless style that can work well for lots of different personalities. It’s also practical as it can be under layered with tees or roll necks for extra warmth.  In a soft denim or jersey,  it’s great for Naturals but in a pretty print it can also work for Romantics, particularly a fuller skirted version.

If dresses don’t appeal to you though, you could think about having a boiler/jumpsuit instead, which requires even less thought as you don’t even need to consider hosiery!

Boots

I am a knee boot devotee and wear them constantly from October through to April. They work well with all types of outfits and can be a very good option for women with foot issues who find it difficult to wear high heeled shoes. A pair in one of your best neutral colours will be money well spent.

If you’re not into knee boots though, and particularly if you have long slender legs, ankle boots are a good alternative.

Again, your choice of boot will depend on personal preference, be that a chunky biker boot, Doc Martens or something a little more refined.

Jeans/trousers

You will know whether you are more drawn to wearing jeans or trousers. The chances are, whichever this is, they will probably be the most worn item in your wardrobe so it makes sense to ensure you’re wearing your most flattering version (If in doubt, a straight leg is pretty much always a safe bet) and to invest in the best you can afford.

A Nice Top (or several!)

For me, this is the holy grail and I’m constantly on the lookout for one.  This is the sort of top one you can pair with your jeans or trousers that instantly elevates your outfit and makes it look occasion ready. For evening, it might be one with a bit of sparkle; for daytime, it might be a fab print. Depending on your style preferences, it could be a pretty blouse with some detailing or a gorgeous cashmere sweater in a fabulous colour for you.

A Coat

A stylish coat is a great Winter investment; a classic style in a neutral colour will see you through many years.  The main consideration when deciding what to go for has be your lifestyle, so, whilst I am drawn to timeless tailored coats, I actually find that I get more wear out of more casual options these days.

The Finishing Touch

This might be a gorgeous scarf, a lovely necklace or a statement bag or belt. It is something you can add to your outfit that instantly elevates and personalises it. Shopping the sales can be a great opportunity to pick up stylish accessories.

To buy or not to buy?

• If you already have something similar in your wardrobe which you prefer, do not buy the inferior sale item as you will always reach for your old favourite in preference.
• If it is not comfortable and a good fit (and cannot be altered) do not buy it.
• To work out if something represents good value for money, evaluate it on a cost per wear basis ie the price divided by the number of times you are likely to wear it. On this basis, you will see that spending more money on a fabulous pair of jeans which you will wear several times a week than, say, as special occasion outfit you’ll only wear a few times, makes much more sense.
• If you don’t love it, don’t buy it!