What do you consider an essential part of a stylish wardrobe?

[SpringFollows]

Just curious really. I know people seem to hate waterfall cardigans, although i love the ones I have (which hide post pg belly).

I have just bought a pair of converse which i love wearing with jeans, a t-shirt and a blazer.

I have mountains of cocktail frocks (from a former life where such things were mandatory).

I love scarves, chunky silver jewellery and bangles, even though I rarely wear them.

I am a bit all over the place sartorially, and am hoping to lose a stone, and discover the inner stylish me. (cough cough giggle).

I'm with you Hugo. I wear fake converse, ripped jeans, tatty sweaters and I'm 33. I couldn't give a flying toss what anyone considers is fashionable - I like the way I look and that's all that matters. Thumbs up to a good hairstyle, though.

HAR! I couldn't give a flying fuck what's 'essential' by anyone else's standards. I had a trench once - looked like Inspector Gadget.

My essentials include an emerald green shot-silk opera coat (torn), a vast fake bearskin fur coat, a circle-skirted 50s shirt dress, studded KG ankle boots with a cuban heel, and a white cashmere beaded cardigan lined in silk made in Hong Kong in the 50s. I have jewellery including earrings made from beetles' wings and a silver pendant shaped like a rearing bull showing its cock.

Not classics but they're mine.

That being said I'm 15lb too fat to wear most of it

Yes, but Hugo i was asking about style not 'fashion'. Not the same thing neccessarily. :)

...also I probably look a bit of a dick in most of it ...

and the 'essential' is the point. What do YOu consider essential? I do not know what I think is essential. I am interested in other people's essentials.

Love the idea of an opera coat. I have an emerald green chinese silk jacket that is old, VERY worn and a little frayed which i wear with jeans and a t-shirt, with my LBD, and on one memorable occasion over the top of some lingerie when dining a deux with new BF now DH.

That is pretty essential to me.

I'd just like to be a little more stylish in my everyday life though. [sigh]

Do we all imagine that this "stylish wardrobe" belongs to a French woman in her 40s?

yes... or a french woman in her 20s. Was at a cocktail party last week, and everyone was in their finery. There was a girl with no makeup, hair in a ponytail, t-shirt, man's reefer jacket, black jeans and yes the 'poncey' ballet flats and a huge gold necklace and she looked bloody amazing. She was French as it happened. It was attitude though- she pulled it off beautifully. I'd love to have that confidence.

Trillian that's what I thought!

SPring it is the best thing EVER and I wear it I suspect in the same way as your wear your chinese effort (though I have never worn it over just a pair of drawers) - it goes with everything. It is sort of cacoon shaped - curves out at the back. I love it and it was a freebie from a pal.

Do we all imagine that this "stylish wardrobe" belongs to a French woman in her 40s?

No. Besides, everyone knows that Milanese women are the most stylish.

Even if I wanted to, I ouldnt go and buy most of the 'classics' mentioned on this thread, because....boring! I mean really, Breton tops! I must have held up about 1000 against myself in a mirror and I just can't bring myself to do it.

I agree Hugo, my list was all about the things I love. I can't physically pull any of my friends into a Cos shop, as they can't stand any of the clothes, but to me they are gorgeous. I also buy a patent coloured Jaeger bag every two or three years and it's then my sole bag. Sunglasses and lipstick in the summer is a must, make up then takes 10 seconds.

I have five absolute go-to always fall back on items in my wardrobe and I consider them 'outside' of fashion and thus ever-lasting (or until they die of over-work anyway):

1. a 1950s style skirt with naked men on it that is totally ME regardless of how in out or anything it is
2. VW Anglomania plain black jersey dress that is just right for nearly everywhere I ever want to go - summer, winter, work, play, party 3 and 4) grey v neck quite fitted cashmere jumper and another one the same but big and baggy
3. 6 black scoop neck t-shirts with short, three quarter or long sleeves but otherwise identical

Oh and my brown knee high 'gunslinger' boots.