10 essential pieces to base wardrobe around

[puds11]

I would like to get 10 high quality essentials that I can build my daily look around using the rest of my wardrobe. I am aiming to buy these pieces in the next few months and then stop buying clothes for as long as possible so quality is essential. I am also unsure as to what really is ‘essential’.

So far I was thinking:
LBD from Coast or alike
Pair of jeans from Hiut Denim
A couple of blouses maybe Zara?

What else do I absolutely need and where should I be buying from? I am happy for the total items to amount to roughly £400-500. I don’t need a coat or a bag.

Thank you!

I've found a jersey or stretchy jacket quite useful, smarter than a cardigan, comfy, and something that could go with jeans or more formal clothes. My current fave is leopard print, but it'll probably be out of fashion soon. Maybe jersey biker style might work?
I reckon you'll need a few different colour jeans, black ones and then whatever shade of blue you like.
Personally I would never wear a white cotton shirt, and if you've got a baby and work outside maybe you wouldn't either. A black or dark patterned one is more practical, I think.

My go to outfit for many things is ...

Dark denim skinny jeans
Blazer and/or trench coat
Cotton t-shirt or silk vest top
Heeled ankle boots or Russell & Bromley loafers

Add appropriate large scarf and bag for whatever I'm doing.

As a sahm my wardrobe essentials are completely different to a working mum. For me, I think
Good quality smart black skinny jeans
Blue denim jeans
Black/white/grey nicely cut easy to wash plain t shirts to layer (COS are great for these)
Comfortable ankle flat boots
Denim shirt
Striped Breton top
Leopard print scarf
Canvas trainers (veja,converse, superga)

As the previous owner of a cow I can confirm that they absolutely do sweat!!!

Cows sweat? When do they sweat, Snog?

I would have a look at Baukjen, OP. Dresses are still midi at the moment (although slowly the knee length is coming back, (more's the pity for those of us who hate our legs) I often recommend their jersey tops on here but a colleague has just bought a gorgeous blouse in their sale which fits your work-to-pub criteria and they have a couple of lovely midi dresses in leopard (which I think is at classic status now and should see you through the next few years OK still) and black. I have zero interest in the company just been on their mailing list through inertia for years and always found it a bit so-so style-wise, until the last year or so.

Also as PP says I have a fabulous LBD from COS which is at least 10 years old now and which I still wear when a certain level of smart required. Their t-shirts are the best quality on the high street IMO.

Jeans are such a minefield - everyone suits different cuts. If I had to cut it down to 2, would go for one straight cut in dark indigo or black, and one boyfriend/ girlfriend/ mom/ whatever in a lighter blue or grey. The dark pair would be your pub/ night out/ party ones obviously. I've just bought a pair of mom jeans from M&S and they are absolutely brilliant, much to my surprise. Go Gap or JL or somewhere with a wide variety of styles and try on as many as you can until find the cut that suits you, then try on as many of that cut as possible in different shops until you find the ones that fit you best. I don't wear Topshop jeans myself but many on here rave about them.

Also if you want a book recommendation for this sort of thing try The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees.

Ooh also: Uniqlo for Breton tops (unbeatable value for the quality) and COS again for trousers, I am still wearing 10yo pairs from there too. Me+Em trousers are also fantastic quality if you can afford them/ wait for the sales. They have ones you can switch from cropped to full length with buttons.

@Annasgirl I found your post so helpful, great tips

@SpongeBobJudgeyPants cows sweat when they have been running about especially in hot weather! Similar to horses.

@ThatPossum Thanks!!!

Burberry Trench Coat. Perfect for everything. Every "10 best items to have in your wardrobe" article ever written includes a Burberry Trench.

Weirdly it goes with everything, perfect for smart (buttons done up) and casual (buttons undone). Its become "my grab for everything coat".

Love Hiut jeans too - made in Wales so best in the World... obviously.

Thanks Snog :) End of derail. As you were :)

great boots by Dubarry or Hunter or Timberland or one of the other good country brands.
It's been a few years since Hunter was a good brand. The quality went way down hill. I'd never buy them again.

It's a bit beyond the price range you mentioned, OP, but check out Wardrobe NYC for capsule inspiration. They sell complete capsules of four and eight pieces, in a variety of different themes ("tailored", "street", "denim" etc.)

Thank you very much for all your advice I think it’s going to be a longer process than I thought, but that’s fine, I’m looking forward to it!

1. black jeans
2. blue jeans
3. Smart knee or midi navy, charcoal or black dress
4. Really well fitting t shirt in one solid colour
5. Parka
6. Casual non iron dress
7. Shirt in plaids or blouse
8. Smart backpack
9. Cardigan that buttons up

10. Smart comfy shoes