Building a Key Winter Wardrobe.
Building a key winter wardrobe is all about finding the best components that make up a collection of clothes that should hope to see you through the seasons and ideally, the years ahead. As a team, we sat down and discussed what items are a the non-negotiable’s when it comes to assembling a wardrobe and more specifically a Winter one. We’ve compiled the a round up of essentials, basics and timeless pieces as well as investments, that we hope will inspire you to consider a more curated wardrobe, we have also thrown in the odd accessory or styling nuance, that may be considered more of a “trend” well, because we all still like to feel current and in-the-know. Catering for all budgets, and depending on your style, we’ve got something for everyone.
Put it this way, if we were to have everything in this round up, we’d have a great season ahead.
On Top
It would only be right top start this off with arguably the vital ingredient to your winter wardrobe. Some of us prefer to work the rest of our outfit around our jacket or coat, whilst the rest of us are dictated by what’s underneath and we’d be interested to know what you do? Nevertheless, we’ve rounded up the three different variations of outwear that we think you need this Winter and what will be the best investments for years to come. Firstly, a long wool coat, they’re sophisticated, they’re classic and this season we’re loving deep, chocolate browns, khaki’s and greys. We’ve picked the Oversized Scarf Coat from Source Unknown as a classic and elegant take on a long wool coat. Secondly, a fur coat - whether you’re real or faux, that’s up to you but these babies are a must-have. Personally, we love a vintage fur (because like we’ve said, you can’t make them like they used to) but Malene Birger and Ivana Mentlová are doing incredible takes on a fur coat. If prefer non-real fur, then trusty steed Topshop and NA-KD have great alternatives. Lastly, the leather jacket. Similar to the fur, you can fake it or go real. We’re completely enthralled with Khaite, Phoebe Philo and COS leather jackets this season and they’re coming in all different silhouettes from aviator, bomber, funnel necks stylist Natasha Royt did a stunning edit on this, you can read it here https://www.the-first-option.com/fashion/leatherjackets Needless to say, these are the seasons must-have jacket styles to suit every occasion.
An Everyday White Tee
Whether you prefer for a short-sleeve or long-sleeve, a classic white tee is a wardrobe staple. Perfect for layering underneath your favourite knitwear (we love a white crewneck collar popping out a the top) or layered under a suit, we suggest making sure a white t-shirt is key to your wardrobe all year round. Depending on budget (and how good you are at keeping your whites white) we’ve rounded up some suggestions below, from Arket to Victoria Beckham, there’s an option to suit all needs. Another favourite of ours us Uniqlo and top tip, we love how the mens fit. Less fitted and cuffed on the wrists, thank us later.
Suited and Booted
Something that we feel, should be in every wardrobe is a suit, or atleast a strong, good quality blazer and a pair of trousers they match with, for the pure reason is, suits and its two components are always in fashion. This year, we’re looking to Khaki, Maroon and Grey, to sit alongside a trusty black two-piece (which is a non-negotiable by the way) There are so many options around for suits; Zara, Massimo Dutti, H&M but if you’re looking for something a little more premium then look no further than The Frankie Shop. They’re becoming known for their suits and not to mention their ecom styling is always stunning. If you’re feeling like you want to go against the grain, then opt for that deep green or an anthracite grey and pair with a roll neck, a shirt or a plain tee, depending on the occasion.
The Mid-Layer Heroes
This one is just a sweet reminder that in every wardrobe, for every season, one should always have a crisp white shirt and if you can, some cashmere. White shirts are timeless and they look great with jeans, blazers, under said cashmere and nothing makes you look more put together than in a clean, pressed and crisp white tailored shirt. The cashmere, can be in the form of a roll neck, crew neck or v neck but cashmere is always a good idea. Staple colours like black, grey and navy will have you pulling out and referring to these bad boys year after year. Both of these can be used as transitional pieces too, which is why they’re essential to a key wardrobe, for colder nights in the summer or when travelling, bring along your cashmere and style your white shirt with jeans in the warmer months and black trousers in the winter, trust us on these ones.
Staple Denim
Every and any wardrobe should have a pair of jeans, I think we all know that and we’re not here to preach to the choir but we’re here to direct you on the colourways, fits, shapes and brand to look out for and invest in. First off, Khaite, they’re expensive but everyone is raving about them. Ilana Torbiner is the best person to watch and listen to about Khaite Jeans reviews and fits. From the Kerri Jean, mid-rise and relaxed to the iconic Abigail, high-waist and straight leg, if you’re looking to invest then look no further. Without sounding like a stuck record, I must mention Phoebe, only because she seems to have created the perfect jean and I’m just going to go right ahead and copy and paste their description in from the site, as its the description of our dreams, “The jeans have an exaggerated fit: a wide leg, ride low on the hips and pool on the floor” BRB, just replaying this in my head. Snapping back to reality and if like the most of us, you don’t want to spend £900 on a pair of denim, brands like Agolde, Frame and Levi’s are the household names for a reason because they’re just so reliable. Personally, we recommend a straight-leg and mid-rise because they look great with a heel, a boot and a trainer and also get them in a black, denim and white and they’ll take you from day-to-night seamlessly.
Activewear
We thought we’d include activewear into this round up, as the whole idea of a key wardrobe is to encourage an all encompassing approach to our wardrobe styling and purchasing method and working out is such a big part of our lives these days, along with the uniform that goes with it. So instead of referring to brands that we’re all familiar with, for this small edit we decided to head towards a lesser known but highly elevated conglomerate in the activewear world, Live The Process, The New York wellness based brand has perfected their fits and have designed them to inspire movement. We’re going with their Verso Wrap Top and Jet Leggings, both in black and available at FRWD, styled with a simple pair of black leg warmers from Amazon for our next reformer class. Style them with your Salomons, Asics or even a cute pair of satin ballet flats for an alternative, yet elite look (peep Arket’s brown and pink versions.) They’re also super sustainable and really look after their predominantly female, local workforce. Learn more about this brand we love to gate keep here.
Bagging
When it comes to bags, they’re one thing that I personally feel, deserve the investment. If you get it right and make the right purchasing decision, then you’ll refer back to that bag forever. Ideally, we all only want to worry about taking one bag out with us, sometimes I for one, am terrible at wanting to take a smaller bag out for the day, to work or a shoot and have zero room to carry everything, because I’m too busy thinking about what bag goes with my outfit and not practicality, that’s why a tote bag, or a large top handle bag is the way forward. I recently purchashed the below Arket one (it gives me The Row vibes at a fraction of the price) and I love that it has multiple compartments, big enough to fit my laptop and my other necessary junk in. This oversized brown, suede tote caught my eye too from Marks & Spencers, so also on the more budget friendy side, if brown is more your thing, two very staple and classic bags that should find a home within your key wardrobe; note that the designs are simple, which means you won’t get bored of them as trends come and go. I have also included a clutch bag, because we all need an evening bag. The Row Amazon Clutch Bag is a wild price, but if it is out of budget, then see it as a source of inspiration. Its sleek and elegant look is the type of clutch to look for, when searching for a timeless evening carry all. We opted for colour Raisin.
Footwear
Footwear for us, is an easy one. This being, a capsule wardrobe should consist of things that you use and need most. It’s a simple that. So, during the winter, to style with all of the above mentioned, a loafer, a trainer (for social and gym) a boot, and a sandal are what you should be incorporating into day-to-day-life. A loafer, is a classic and always come back around, invest in a good pair and they will last you, the same with a boot. Opting for them in a brown and a black, also means that you’ve more options when it comes to wanting to introduce greys, navies and greens into your winter palette. A trainer is a tricky one, because we tend to look at trainers that are “in fashion” that season, however if you’re actually wanting to use them for practical reasons then Salomon, On and New Balance, you can’t go wrong with and look good as well as performing well. Lastly, a barely there sandal is a fail-safe heel (pictured are Tony Bianco) In the winter, we wear them with tights for a chic look, with trousers and skirts. Not to mention its another layer of warmth!
Accessories & Styling Pieces
Adding accessories to our outfits is a great way of dipping our toe into micro trends (for those of us who try for the life us to avoid the fads!) but each season, its a great way of refreshing an outfit. We’ve rounded up some key accessories to look at incorporating into our capsule wardrobe. Granted, they’re pretty minimal and understated accessories which aren’t likely to cease anytime soon but if you’re wanting to add a pair of glasses to an outfit, these Miu Miu glasses, are everywhere at the moment. Buy them without prescriptions in and then if the time comes where your eyes do need a little aid, you have an elegant pair of glasses that can be used as and when you need. Anyone that knows me, knows I am obsessing over pillbox hats at the moment, I will look ridiculous in one but I WISH I could wear one. First seen on the runway at Altuzarra and Loro Piana’s Autumn/Winter campaign with Angelica Kendall in the black and white printed hat, has etched its way into my brain all season long. Aside from hats and glasses, belts and earrings are also a great way of adding a new touch to your outfit, especially if you want to take your look into the evening and wanting to feel elevated, thats exactly the point of a capsule wardrobe and adding and removing to, and from it to make it work.
The Best at Capsule Wardrobing
We’ve rounded up some of the pièce de résistance of who works a capsule wardrobe like no one else. All embracing the above in a way that makes them look highly put together, chic and elegant. From fur coats to simple white t-shirts, take inspiration from below and look forward to a new way of purchasing and styling that is both better ethically and will save you a world of time getting dressed for the day ahead.
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