talk to me about wardrobe staples

[RavioliOnToast]

I am sick of having loss of random bits of shit that I don't wear in my wardrobe, I'm in the middle of dieting and for the first time ever I actually have jeans that fit me comfortably! I like jeans and Tshirts combos, trainers, boots, tights and dresses and I'd like a really nice leather bag too, all my bags are river island etc and just look crap.

Also, talk to me about earrings, I'd like a pair that go with everything.

I really like the nude camisole and grey leather jacket ruby

Do you buy basics? If yes, what do you wear them with? Long sleeved black tops, vests etc..

Earrings to go with everything? Simple. Diamond studs. Cubic zirconia if your budget doesn't allow real diamonds. If you get decent CZ (and avoid stones the size of the Ritz) even a jeweller can only distinguish by weighing the stones; CZ are heavier.

Cressetmama, are there any brands/ suppliers you'd recommend for CZ studs? I had a diamond pair but lost one and I don't want to splash out again given my propensity for losing jewellery.

Staples depend on your personal style IMO.

I think you need to think about your style and what you need.
Is it day to day stuff / evening stuff/ smart stuff/ work stuff?
IMHO basics or staples are different for these though some can be interchanged.

You said you like t shirts and jeans -
I like h and m for long vest tops and some of their t shirts lasted better than the much more expensive brands I ve had, you just need to check fabric weigh and component and wash carefully :)

A nice coat and leather jacket are lovely

I love cos for cardis for layering (though not a lot of warmth in them

Grey fine knit
Black fine knit sweater

Hush for long vests and long sleeved tops

Ankle boots with heel

I have a whistles black cross body large saddle bag I keep coming back to to use or a tan mulberry hobo both about 9 years old now!

Oh and I have two checked shirts and a demon shirt I love for layering too

I have been wearing variations on stripey tops, jeans and Blundstone boots for about 20 years. I add a lambswool/cahsmere jumper if its cold, or a fleece hoody if I am out and about and liable to get wet and/or muddy. I have many, many variations of Breton tees, in a navy-dominated colour scheme

Vintage, or vintage style, duffle coat or pea coat.

Satchel/cross body bag.

For work, I tend to wear wide leg grey trousers, plain jersey tops and cardies, or coloured chinos and shirts.

I've recently realised that I rarely buy a new style, just replace clothes with similar ones.

I have no useful secret to share. If the size and shape is right, and they aren't too dear, put down the cash. My favourites were about £4. I can't wear them all the time though, because they trigger a skin reaction after a few days, and a gold stud wouldn't. Not helpful, sorry.

M&S denim Jeggings
Black Jeggings
Boden longline Bretons
Clarks Orinoco Jazz boots
Boyfriend Cardigan
Thats it. Sorted....

Mine are:

leather biker jackets - the one I wear most now is my black one
M&S Autograph black skinnies
black turtle necks
leather Converse
ankle boots
black opaques
Whistles tube skirts
H&M long length vests
cotton shirts - a recent addition to my basics list, as I always thought I was too busty for them - plain black, plain white, a checked one and a spotty one
black jersey blazer
grey jersey biker

Blazers - I forgot Blazers!
I have a navy velvet, a mustard cord, a black, grey, Ivory and black sequin Blazers

For the last couple of years it's been:
Good quality tube skirt
Skinnies
Oversized V necks
Long sleeve Ts
Plaid shirt
Grey opaques
Flat ankle boots

But I'm ready for a change now. As soon as it stops raining, the skinnies are going.

I'm very fickle which is why you'll never catch me with capsule wardrobe.

CZ earrings - I buy lots of Diamonique from QVC but now my DD has pierced ears (and she loses them when she borrows them) I bought loads from eBay .
I buy her silver CZ, they're chunkier than the piddly gold studs. From 2mm up to 6mm (though I have a pair of 10mm when I want to look like an extra from Bros)

Wardrobe staples:

jeans (I have Next Slim'n'Lift and M&S 5 pocket jeggings)

white shirt

lots of knitwear (Woolovers is lush

TShirts (Uniqlo/M&S)

Skin tone underwear, the only white I have is some Sloggi knicks for work.

Not sure these are really all staples, but my wardrobe is made up of quite clear themes:

High-waisted skinny jeans from Whistles or Oasis
A-line skirts - anywhere I can find them, I have quite a few M&S ones on the go
Opaque tights - I chucked all my ratty ones a few years ago and gradually replaced them with Wolford and Falke, cost per wear makes them almost a bargain
Crew-neck jumpers in plain colours - mainly Topshop
Blouses/shirts, mostly printed - mainly Topshop
Stripy tops - Cos/Whistles/Topshop
Black vests and long sleeved tops for underneath everything - Uniqlo
Chelsea boots - loads of pairs, mainly Clarks because wide feet
Leather biker jacket - Oasis - and various faux furs
"Statement" necklaces - quite a bit of Tatty Devine, things accumulated from galleries and small shops over the years

And my absolute favourite - pyjamas

I used to wear a lot more dresses and cardigans, but am definitely having a skirt/jumper love-in at the moment.

For work:
Black Hobbs blazer
Pencil skirts with t-shirts
Fitted dresses
Cardies- slim and waist length

RL:
Leather biker jacket
Big winter parka
Black or grey skinnies
Cable or v neck Jumpers
T-shirts
Vest tops

Ankle biker boots- flat and heeled.

Also brogues. I have "slimline" brogues in black, navy and metallic pewter, which I generally wear for work. Would love some chunky Mr Men style ones to wear with jeans and jumpers.

Dog walking
Arctic Parka
Aigle wellies
Cashmere scarf

Exercise
Tights
Sports bra
Bright top
Helly Hansen Merino Half Zip

Casual
Slim Straight Gap Jeans
Wool coat
Cashmere
Uniqlo Heattech top
Cashmere or merino jumper
Blundstone boots

For bags, Russell and Bromley are lovely, understated and good quality.
Jaeger too, the outlet online store has good discounts.

Where does nice cashmere and merino? I'd rather have the lowest price of the two, my budget is not marvellous

I wear Uniqlo Cashmere and merino - I'm pretty content with the quality - M&S and Tesco sell reasonably priced cashmere too! Keep a look out for M&S promo codes.

I second Uniqlo for Merino and I've also had the House of Fraser Linear brand recommended.

But I'm giving up on cheap cashmere - which basically means I'm giving up on cashmere full stop, unless I can find good stuff second hand. I've said that before and fallen off the wagon but I think the quality is too random and I'm tired of it.

Floisme - what d you find wanting in cheap cashmere?

It's the random quality, Higge - sometimes ok but other times fuzzing, shrinking, bobbling after just a couple of (careful) washes. I recently bought an M&S cashmere jumper in the sales (after vowing never again) and it's already lost it's shape and started to bobble really badly. I know you can comb them out but I've just had enough.

Plus I've read about about the environmental impact of cheap cashmere (overgrazing land) and it's really not good. And there were news reports about a year ago about it being mixed with rat hair. I can't link at the moment but if you google it there's lots of stuff.

I don't think Uniqlo cashmere is as good as it was. My most recent purchase is much thinner than previous, but their merino is still good although obviously not as cosy. Possum merino is luxurious but requires very careful looking after, and is just as ££ as cashmere. The same is true of alpaca.