What I'd buy if I was starting my wardrobe from scratch
Elevated basics that will genuinely work in your wardrobe
This is a common question I get asked. Some people might be striping everything back to basics, others might have gone through weight changes and find their current wardrobe no longer serves them properly. Online we might see style videos of wardrobe staples or classics, but actually I find elevated basics to be incredibly important and often overlooked. These are items that gives an edge to keep pieces your might already have or simply helps in creating a new unique style that will really work time and time again for various occasions.
Starting from basics. It has to be a good supportive comfort fit bra but still pretty. My bra of choice would be the Elomi Charlie Bra:
( and if you want to splurge the extra 20 quid buy the smoothing underwear too- insanely comfortable)
This bra is amazing if you are fuller busted or with a broad back, but you want something that feels lightweight and genuinely aerodynamically lifts your boobs upwards which instantly changes how your clothes sit. It gives you a subtle confidence boost in the smallest but most impactful of ways. You’ll find this at most Elope stockists - full list here
For friends who might be more of a smaller chest frame, look to the M&S Anything But Ordinary T-shirt Bra, The Calvin Klein Invisible T-shirt Bra or the Sloggi Zero Free Non Wired Bralette.
M&S Ripped Harper Jeans:
These jeans don’t get the credit they deserved. They would be a hybrid of a fitted mom jeans meets a stretch fit straight leg. These are the absolute BEST allrounder jean if you find shopping for jeans incredibly stressful or you just can’t seem to find a style to work for your body type. I’ve never had anyone come back to me and not love them!
While they come in various colours both in petite and tall lengths too up to size 24. I would personally opt for the ripped light wash denim with the turned up hem for an added oomph to your wardrobe. It gives you so much versatility - perfect with trainer or heels and a fantastic style for weekends away. The cut of these also works with almost any top, jumper or blazer length too! If you are struggling for other jeans ideas at the moment too you can check out a recent post here and my style clinic video here.
Shop here sizes 6-24 - tall , regular and petite ( aff link)
The Reversible Dress:
I came across one of these dresses last month and just fell in love straight away, I knew it had to be in this list. Recently Never Fully Dressed released these cleverly thought out reversible wrap dress styles
Having a reversible dress gives you more versatility as well as better cost per wear too! The plain side gives you options for workwear, restyled with a jumper over it for more of a skirt effect, and the print side is something that can work for spring events, holidays and evenings out so easily! Not forgetting the material is quite stretchy and really sit beautifully on curve frames too!
Below wearing the same dress in a different print
Shop dresses here in sizes 8-28 ( aff link)
The Elevated Trench Coat:
This ticks the boxes for both the style minimalists who want something different in their wardrobe and the style maximalists who need to lean towards some more practical items too. This is actually a New Look find but it looks way more premium in real life. It’s a great all rounder style that will cover workwear, weekend style to that practical trench to take on a weekend away.
Shop here sizes 6-22
The Brooch:
Above gold designer Loewe brooch €250 here / Green bee detailed brooch Ralph Lauren €63 here
The revival of the iconic brooch accessory has come back with a bang in the last few years. This is a super quick way to elevate your look or just giving something you already have in your wardrobe a different edge to it. Look to the likes of vintage YSL & Chanel, where if you are a savvy Ebay shopper, you can find a pretty good bargain. Similarly vintage charity shops can be incredible for this kind of thing too. But recently other brands such as Ralph Lauren and even high street retailer Next, have a lot of really chic offerings under €65 and a bargain finds from brand Parfois I’ll link here starting from €7!
Trainers with a touch of personality
Leopard and blush pink : Nine West here / Glitter trainers from Veja here
This is a great way to introduce either colour or texture into any classic look and more importantly giving a casual but touch of personality of what your own individual style is. There’s so many varieties and styles to choose from especially bright pops of colour ( which Adidas do really well) but for today I wanted to show more easier options that would work for those who are still finding their style or restarting their wardrobe.
Speaking of wardrobes, in the coming week I’ll be doing a wardrobe clear out and giving away a number of items on here. It will be exclusively for paid subscribers so be sure to you keep your eyes peel or upgrade here.