Five winter wardrobe buys you won't regret.
Five winter wardrobe buys you won't regret.
And they'll last you years...
If you’re constantly adding to your wardrobe yet still open the doors to your closet and feel as though you don’t have much to wear then these additions to your rails will quickly become your most-worn items of the year. Trust me on this.
They are the perfect go-with-anything items that will keep you smart, snuggly and stylish and, given that none of them are wildly ‘on trend’ will likely fit seamlessly into the fashions this time next year too.
The Versatile Base Layer
I first bought one of these cashmere tops from Intimissimi about a year ago and immediately went back and bought two more. The finest and also softest layer that can be worn on its own or layered to create a cosy ensemble. The knit on these is so warm yet the fabric is as light as a feather meaning you can enjoy all the cosiness without being weighed down by a heavy knit.
Pleasingly, the Intimissimi Modal Cashmere Ultralight High-Neck Top, £45, is available in a whole host of colours so whether you want something seasonally tonal, like the current burgundy, or a never-goes-out-of-fashion black, navy or nude, you’ll be spoilt for choice. These are also currently on a three-for-two (at the time of writing) so you don’t have to buckle under the pressure of choosing just two.
For what it’s worth, last year I bought black, natural vanilla and toffee brown and this year I’m almost certainly taking advantage of the offer and getting elegant pink, burgundy and brown.
The Reliable Tights
One of the most reliable things in my life used to be Marks & Spencers tights. Once you knew your size you could pick up packs at a time knowing that every pair would fit like the last and you’d be hard-pressed to ladder their 50 Deniers no matter how sharp your nails. Then something changed, the sizing was different and for the first time ever I found myself wearing the crotch of my M&S tights between my knees and awkwardly yanking up baggy hosiery that was pooling into my shoes.
That’s when my allegiance shifted to Heist. Yes, it’s a much higher price-point but the reliability is faultless, the quality is excellent and once they are on nothing slips, gapes, goes baggy or tears. I stocked up on the Heist The Sixty Opaque Tights, £34, and the same three pairs are still good as new and ready to go in AW24.
The Perfect Winter Boots
Now whether or not these are perfect will depend on your own aesthetic but to hedge my bets, I’m going to offer you a few choices but all from John Lewis because they have, for my money, got the style and the price just right. The John Lewis Sugarpuff Microfibres Stretch Stiletto Heel Long Boots, £65 is available in black or wine and offers a little over two inches in heel height in a boot that’ll work with jeans, skirts and dresses alike to add a feminine, slightly glam effect.
If a stiletto heel is just too much tottering for you then the John Lewis Sadie Suede Knee High Boots, £149, have a block heel and an elastic back panel, which make them more of an every day style. Also available in black or brown depending on what you want to wear it with. For me, these with mid-blue jeans tucked in would be ‘chef’s kiss’.
If you want something with a little more grit and girth then look no further than the John Lewis Teddy Leather Knee High Biker Boots, £179. These are the kind of boots, particularly in brown, that’ll look better with age, a few scuffs and some wear and tear.
The Off-Duty Co-ord.
I have always had ‘outside’ clothes and then pyjamas and there hasn’t really been anything that’s existed in between. If I’m at home relaxing, watching TV or pottering about then I’ll probably have some version of my pyjamas on with a zip-up hoodie thrown over the top.
That’s all well and good until you have to run and errand, take the bins out or pop to the supermarket and you have to get back into your ‘outdoor’ clothes again. Although, side note, I’ve seen a few people in supermarkets in full pyjamas and dressing gowns recently and I am still shocked and stunned at the informality. And who would want to get into bed in clothes that have done the aisles at Sainsbury’s?
Anyway, WAT. The Brand Adjustable Hem Hoodie, £60 and Relaxed Joggers, £55 are the perfect combination. I’ve been wearing mine around the house constantly and have felt entirely ‘put together’ when I’ve needed to pop out for whatever reason (usually to collect a Vinted purchase from an In Post locker) and not at all slob-like. This co-ord is my go-to and my transitional outfit between work and sleep, and I wouldn’t be without it.
The Yearly Knit.
My annual pilgrimage to & Other Stories to buy their knitwear is into its sixth season and it’s become a habit because the quality is so good, every jumper I’ve ever bought is incredibly flattering on and the colours are always wonderfully works-with-everything. This year my purchase is the & Other Stories Mock-Neck Sweater, £47, although I am struggling to pick one colour.
An argument could be made for the royal blue, red and dark green but for something muted that will work with all my blue denims, I think it has to be oatmeal or caramel. Or maybe mole?
If you add any of these classic pieces to your wardrobe, let me know how you get on and if you have any suggestions to must-buy pieces, please do share in the comments.
Love the co-ord!
£45 is a really good price for a cashmere jumper, unfortunately I can’t wear cashmere or any kind of pure wool next to my skin, it makes me itch like mad and brings me out in a nasty rash. Cotton even (shock) polyester is fine, wool meh 🫤!