The 10 staples you actually need in your wardrobe.
I love stuff and I never seem to have enough of it, especially when it comes to clothes.
Just when I think I’ve acquired all the jeans I could ever need, a new shape comes into style or a new denim wash makes everything I have look dated and a bit sad.
When I think I’ve acquired the perfect gym wardrobe, it turns out all my slightly shorter than full length leggings that show a little bit of ankle are actually showing my age and it’s time to cover up. Longer leggings and longer socks, no more trainer socks here, required.
It can feel endless and tiring and expensive and I want to tap out.
The truth is, even when I have populated my wardrobe with that seasonal pop of colour or new style, I don’t actually wear it. Pareto’s Law is in full effect behind my closet doors; I wear around 20% of what I own with everything else constituting being saved for ‘best’ or a fantasy version of myself who has the right underwear/confidence to wear it out.
All this is to say that I think I finally know what I need to update my wardrobe with items that I’ll actually wear time and time again.
THE WHITE TEE.
Everything in this list is designed to be a goes-with-anything wardrobe addition, which is why we’re starting with the best. The item that can be dressed up, dressed down and will always get plenty of wear.
The key with a white tee is, in my opinion, to find a neckline that suits. Crew isn’t for everyone, a scoop neck might be more your thing if you have bigger boobs (as I used to) maybe even a cowl, boat or Henley will be more your style but it is about finding the shape and fit that’s most flattering for you.
The Uniqlo Supima Cotton Crew Neck Tee, £14.90, is my go-to. It’s made with 100% cotton, washes well and falls in a way I find incredibly flattering. I also recently bought the ASOS Design Ultimate T-Shirt, £8, and it’s a high street tee masquerading as a designer one because the fit and quality is genuinely excellent.
If a scoop neck is more your vibe, then the M&S Cotton Rich Scoop Neck T-Shirt, £9.50, has you covered.
Once you find the neckline that suits you best - stick with it. And, I hope it also goes without saying that whatever you buy in white, you also buy in black and/or navy.
THE FIT-YOU-PERFECTLY JEANS
Truth be told, I’ve made more mistakes with jeans than I care to remember. I’ve worn what looks good on other people too many times, ignoring the fact that my physique requires a high waist and, given my 5’4” stature, a leg not so wide as to make me look like I live on Pigeon Street.
Although it’s bizarrely exhausting to do, it’s well worth spending an hour or so in a department store denim department, trying on all the shapes, brands and washes to really see what suits.
I come back, time and again, to Good American, who are excellent for the smaller waist and bigger bum shape whether it’s their Skinny Jeans, £119, or their Good Vintage Jeans, £160.
Great jeans have a high cotton count and Zara jeans come up at 98% and, in my experience, wear and wash well and don’t cost the Earth. Their High Waist Jeans with Patch Pockets, £29.99, look as good with a trainer as they do with a heel and the patch pockets, are a nice detail that make them look a little more interesting than a regular pair of jeans. Most wardrobes would do well for having a pair of the High Waist Mom Jeans, £27.99, on the rail. Very similar in shape to a fair few designer jeans I’ve seen yet at a fraction of the cost.
A SLOUCHY JUMPER
A few Halloweens ago (I remember it that well) I was on my way to interview Kate Somerville at her hotel in Holborn and popped into the New Look down the street because I was ahead of schedule and wanted to kill time so as not to be too early. I picked up two jumpers in the same style, in black and khaki, and I think there was a deal so they came to £15.
I have worn both of those jumpers so much that the cost-per-wear is negligible at this point. They are loose, a slightly open knit, serve as the best ‘throw it over anything’ tops and are, predictably, no longer available.
When it comes to high street knitwear, you can’t go wrong with H&M (although I am of that age where it can only be called ‘Hennes’). Their throw-onability is unmatched and whether it’s the Pointelle-Knit Peplum Jumper, £27.99, or the Oversized Jumper, £18.99, you’ll be wearing these for years.
I’ve found a fair few items from Brave Soul that have really impressed me and their jumpers are pretty solid. This Crew Neck Jumper, £13, is top-tier throw-it-on knitwear, just size up so it has that ‘slouchy’ vibe.
THE VEST TOP
This is another item whose shape will come down to your preference, but for me it’s all about the high neck racerback. After extensive research, it’s my belief that Arket does the best vests around. The quality is fantastic, the shapes are flattering, they offer a variety of necklines and they wash incredibly well.
I wear the Rib Racer Tank Top, £17, at least a few times a week but if you prefer a more standard shape, the Rib Tank Top, £17, doesn’t feature that racer cut so is more forgiving on bra straps. Although, am I alone in thinking a black bra under a white vest is chic or is that my 80s/90s childhood showing?
Arket also does Boat Neck, £22, Spaghetti Straps, £15, Scoop Neck, £17, and a regular Tank Top, £17.
The message here is, go to Arket for vests. They are unmatched.
THE CASUAL TROUSERS THAT AREN’T JEANS
I live in jeans but I also know that I need other options from time to time and a navy chino will always have its place.
Mango get it right when it comes to trousers and their Navy Straight Fit Pleat Trousers, £49.99, are instant wardrobe classics. I bought the Straight Trousers with Buttons, £35.99 in black last week and am kicking myself for not also buying them in the Navy and Khaki.
The Darted Wide-Leg Trousers, £35.99, from Zara are also fantastic. Wide leg, front darts and, crucially, with pockets, they may even tempt you away from wearing jeans all the time…
If we’re leaning into the casual then the ASOS Design Pull On Trouser with Contrast Panel, £28, is a fantastic choice. I travelled in these from London to LA and they were so comfortable yet still felt smart enough to not look like a slouch.
The linen trouser is also definitely having a ‘moment’ this season and New Look’s Linen Wide Leg Trousers in Navy, £26.99, are excellent if you want to dip your toe into that trend.
THE CRISP WHITE SHIRT
It’s only on the last couple of years that I’ve entertained so many white tops in my wardrobe. I shied away in the past for fear of spillages (why is it always when you’re wearing white?) but the With Nothing Underneath Classic Shirt, £95, made me realise how ridiculous I was being.
While it is a beautiful shirt, I’ve also bought a few more for which there is less jeopardy should there be a spillage. I’m talking about a white shirt that could be a men’s shirt vibe and though I love cotton, I appreciate the slightly more casual lean of a linen shirt so ones like the Zara Oversize Linen Blend Shirt, £27.99, or the H&M Linen Blend Shirt, £19.99 are fantastic.
THE BLAZER
Much like jeans, I could easily wear a denim jacket with everything. Although I can’t do double-denim - doesn’t look right on me. A blazer has the ability to make any outfit look a little more thought-out. To look a little more polished and for the ‘edges’ to look a wee bit sharper. Again, we’re looking for the appearance of effort with the functionality of throwonability (shall I get this trademarked?) and while there are tonnes of cuts and styles, for these purposes let’s just go with something less stiff.
The Zara Linen Blazer, £49.99, is a great cut and comes in a variety of colours so you don’t have to just choose black. It’s also single-breasted, which I think is a little more timeless and more flattering, on most, than double-breasted styles.
M&S does a Slim Single Breasted Blazer, £49.50, in black, navy and cream and, rather brilliantly, has a looser cut in the Relaxed Single Breasted Blazer, which is also £49.50.
I’m a bit of a sucker for a Military Button on a blazer, especially a navy one, and the Friends Like These Gold Button Fitted Blazer, £54, is a lovely option.
THE POLO NECK
Truthfully, I think every wardrobe benefits from a sleeveless polo neck and a long sleeved one. Whether you like them to be bodies is up to you. They serve as both base and outer layer, depending on the weather, and there’s something quite chic about them, in my opinion.
Last year I bought the Intimissimi Modal Cashmere Ultra Light High Neck Top, £45, in three colours (black, natural vanilla and toffee brown) and then promptly bought the Modal Cashmere Ultra Light High Neck Bodysuit, £45, in three colours (black, natural vanilla and navy). There was a ‘3 for 2’ offer on, okay?
These are insanely comfortable. So soft as to feel like a skin-on-skin hug and in winter, despite feeling gossamer thin to the touch, actually work fantastically as a warm layer.
The cashmere immediately makes this wardrobe basic look a little more stylish and the shape is incredibly flattering, plus they wash really well because ‘hand wash’ on the label is always my sign to put the item back on the rail.
The polo neck is one thing you don’t have to spend a lot of money though, despite my recommendation above. H&M Turtleneck Top, £9.99, is a great basic for layering. The Weekday Slim Sleeveless Turtleneck Top in Brown, £17, is excellent if you like to show off your shoulders and don’t like a wardrobe filled with black. I recently bought the Mango Fine-Knit Draped Top, £22.99, and it ticks that ‘effortless’ style box while adding something a little more interesting, shape wise, to the look.
To note: Turtleneck and polo neck are the same thing, the former is the Americanism, but the interpretation of height, width etc is at the brand/designer’s discretion. High neck also seems to apply…
The Multi-Functional Skirt
Perhaps the hardest pick of all is the ‘goes with anything’ skirt because much like jeans, this will depend on both your body shape and what you feel comfortable in. As someone with a high waist and chunky thighs, a large tulle skirt would be an obvious match for me but my personality cannot back up the froth of all those layers so I am more of a pencil/midi skirt kind of woman.
With that said, is it denim, leather, pleather, cotton, a blend - and is it colourful, muted or wild?
A midi denim skirt is a great staple and you could argue that the ones from M&S nail it both with price and denim options. The M&S Denim Midi Skirt, £29.50, comes in medium indigo (which reads as casual to me) as well as black (which could pass as smart with heels) and light indigo (which is my favourite for its dress-uppable and downable potential).
I recently bought a pleather midi from Vinted and it might be one of my favourite wardrobe additions yet. I’ve worn it with cable knit jumpers, a polo neck, a sparkly shirt, a vest top and a band tee. Its versatility has surprised me no end and the Albaray Leather Midi Skirt, £299, is the best dupe I’ve been able to find for it.
I love the look of a satin maxi but I cannot with their elasticated waistlines. With that said, they are the kind of thing you’ll throw on with anything (just wear them with what you’d wear with jeans) and you’ve got something slightly more interesting to hand. The Uniqlo Satin Skirt, £34.90, comes in four colours and shorter and longer lengths, which is excellent if you want options.
The Casual Shoes
Is it loafers or trainers? Or maybe plimsoles or pumps? I can’t edit it down to just one but, for my money, it’s about finding the perfect loafer and the perfect trainer. Both look smart casual but one has never had me rejected from a nightclub because they broke the dress code.
Marks and Spencer’s Suede Loafters, £55, have gone viral more than once and, from what I understand, are flying off the shelves - both virtual and actual. You can see why thought, the taupe is a perfect match for lighter denims and the black goes with anything.
I bought the Mari Leather Loafers, £89, from Jones the Bootmaker last summer and despite having worn them to death, they are showing very little sign of wear.
Most days, I slip on my adidas Originals Stan Smith trainers, £85, which were a gift and have ‘GUNS’ embroidered on the side. The shoe I perhaps have the most versions of though is the FitFlop Rally Trainers, £90. I have them in leather, in canvas and also with the ‘backtab’ detail. The comfort they offer is unmatched and the sole is thick enough to be both shock-absorbing and slightly leg-lengthening if, like me, your leg measurement is in the 20s.
So, that’s my edit. The combo of ‘staples’ that form the pillar upon which a good wardrobe is made. But what have I missed, because I’m sure you have some suggestions that’ll make this an even stronger/better edit!
This is very helpful, thanks 😍
Thankyou and appreciate the affordable options.