What are your brilliant basics?

[december2020]

I'm in desperate need of a wardrobe refresh - a lot of things I have are now tattered or broken from decades of wear and in dire of need of replacing.

I haven't thrown anything out as otherwise I'd have nothing left and everything I seem to order or try on either feels cheap and crap or just doesn't sit right for my body.

I'm 5'2, about 120lbs (looking to lose 10lbs and go back to my normal weight so a little bit overweight for my body shape and height). I'm hoping to find some flattering, quality clothing staples.

So please give me your secret wardrobe staples. The items that never disappoint and you wear time and time again. Brands, specific items, I'm all ears.

Hopeful bump

Great thread idea! I’m loving marks and Spencer’s for boyfriend jeans and thermals. Sexy as hell right?!?
I’ve been a fan of La redoute for a while, jumpers are simple without being boring. I’d say Sézane but they’re sooooo expensive. Zara is the best for going out tops, not that I go out….
cos and anthropologie are gorgeous and hideous in equal measure. Plus either very reasonable or horribly expensive.
think you need to share now op!

Jigsaw lace camisoles for layering- pretty, comfortable and indescribable

Jigsaw black scoop neck modal T-shirts - I’ve got 3 but don’t think they make them anymore and I will be bereft when these die

M&S for jeans plus an ancient pair of 7 for all mankind that I got heavily reduced

M&S merino jumpers- these are new so hopefully they will wash okay

Seasalt ankle boots

Biker jackets- my favourite is an old Oasis one, but I also have a couple from All Saints

I have great pleather leggings from Ann Summers, never found a better pair.

my uggs, sorry but can’t stop using them and wear ankle ones with slightly short boyfriend jeans.

Cashmere sweaters and in particular a cashmere hoodie I got in fat face I think last year for working from home.

biker jacket

loose silky look shirt tops, some H&M. Can’t remember where they’re all from.

Oh yes! @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie the marks merino jumpers. I size up and think they’re bloody amazing.

Primark vest tops for underneath dresses where I feel then necessary given the neckline.

Barbour quilted jacket- I have several including a one bought in a charity shop for under a tenner.

Cashmere hat and scarf. Hat is on its third winter and scarf too I think ( bought in the Jan sales after purchasing the hat)

Boden jeans. Good quality and the petite length is fab.

Boden dresses. All bought from charity shops and perfect for work as they are plain and simple.

Primark baseball shoes and boots.

Longchamp le plaige bags- well worth the money and I couldn’t be without them.

A good quality Breton! Seasalt do good ones, as do several French brands.
A black blazer. Loads on Vinted.
Those Jigsaw camis mentioned upthread are indeed fabulous and long lasting.
Diamond stud earrings (if they can be afforded, or culled from an old ring of your Mum, which is what I did).
A lovely sloppy wool sweater from Celtic. Never needs washing. Just a quick air or spritz with their wool reviver. So never loses its shape.
I've recently rediscovered my Ghost slip dress (in the back of the wardrobe) - a real winner with a glitzy sweater or slouchy one, now I'm older. Great with chunky boots or heels. Or slippers if entertaining at home!

Keeping my beady eye on this thread for more ideas!

Uniqlo heattech black scoop neck long sleeve tops - they come in the little packets - they are perfect basics and last forever, I have more than 10 of them and they’re just brilliant.

Arket basic T-shirts are good too. Sizing all over the place so best to buy in store.

Seasalt Bretons are lovely quality but very short.

Ooh Breton tops! How could I forget! I think my favourite that I own is by Mango and purchased from a local charity shop.

Pussybow blouses -All bought from charity shops including a lovely silk Warehouse one that is lovely in summer and repeated wears over the week (washes well and dries in hours)and my absolute favourite an Innes de Fressage for Uniqlo that has been known to get at least two wears a week with either my Boden wide leg jeans or my Zara jeans with a bit of a flare.

My staples:
Good lifting bras (everything looks shit without the right silhouette!)
No VPL Brazilians or thongs
Thick black leggings from Loveleggings
Long sleeve deep scoop tops in black, grey and white - clingy ones with a bit of stretch
UGG boots (just can’t let them go!)
Vans old skool trainers
Short navy down puffer jacket with hood from Superdry
Rose coloured Borg coat from Next many moons ago that I love
Trying to find some small pave huggies and a diamond bar for my cartilage piercing in the sales

Also keep on top of hair cuts/colours and skin/nail care, nothing feels good when hair looks bad and hands are dry!

Woolovers cashmere and merino jumpers and cardigans are luxurious and come in many colours (there’s always discounts too!)
M&S high waisted jeans, the shaping ones are amazing!
Handknitted socks, wonderfully warm and comfortable 😊

Whistles super skinny trousers. I find them really flattering and go well with loads of stuff.

Also the shearling mule slippers from fitflop. I WFH so wear these pretty much all day every day and they are really cosy and supportive. Have just replaced the last pair that lasted 3 years. Can usually get much cheaper from Amazon or another discount site.

Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino knitwear.

I bought two of their unribbed turtleneck jumpers in black and dark grey a couple of years ago and have lived in them this winter. I wash them by hand in very cool water, rinse in cold water, spin in the machine and leave to dry on a hanger. They wash well and retain their shape and are great for layering:

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/100pct-extra-fine-merino-ribbed-turtleneck-jumper-453458.html

OP, how would you describe your style, how casual, will you need stuff for work?Do you know your colour family ( 4 seasons) going off on hair, eye, sin colour?

Probably the big change of style right now is the shape pig jeans, the cut is wider, opposite of the skinnies we’ve been seeing for the past decade. I suggest you can start your upgrade by getting summer and winter pairs in a boyfriend or mum cut and you can’t go wrong with Levi’s, they’re having a sale.
Here are a few good ones
www.levi.com/GB/en_GB/clothing/women/high-waisted-mom-jeans/p/269860006#swatch

www.levi.com/GB/en_GB/clothing/women/94-baggy-carpenter-jeans/p/A35110000

www.levi.com/GB/en_GB/clothing/women/501-original-cropped-jeans/p/362000248

www.levi.com/GB/en_GB/clothing/women/levis-made-crafted-column-jeans/p/756450005

My second suggestion is footwear, pairs if light and dark trainers like these

www.vans.co.uk/shop/ProductDisplay?

I usually shop Arket for plain T-shirts and oversized wool jumpers .
M&s for merino knits
cos ,mango & Zara for wool coats oversized waxed Barbour for rainy days
H&M for oversized shirts ( cotton not poplin )
I still wear skinny Jeans so river island molly or next
Chunky boots in this weather - Solovair derby's.

I second the Whistles super skinny trousers @TheMildManneredMilitant - great for work with loafers or trainers.

I love Frame jeans. I know my size so I buy them secondhand on Vinted. Both the flares and cropped straight legs are fab and so flattering.

Uniqlo heat tech thermals.

Skims thongs.

These are amazing thank you - I will be checking all these out this weekend and hopefully find a few amazing pieces!

My style is definitely a big mix, I guess the best way to describe it is a combination of smart casual, sporty, and rocker/punk/goth.
My work is pretty smart casual.
Season wise - I'm not sure but blues and emerald/forest greens seem to suit me. Orange makes me look unhinged (though I seem to have a tint of strawberry blond hair naturally).

I get all my footwear from Mint Velvet. I’ve had trainers, biker boots & backless loafers.

I always buy these T-shirts. They never lose their shape & hang beautifully. I buy new colours each year but still use the same ones from 3 years ago : www.veromoda.com/en-gb/product/10187159_1691/regular-fit-o-neck-t-shirt

I have a style I stick to for each season but I don’t shop in very expensive shops. This means they don’t tend to last. I think that once I’m 100% settled on my style I’ll invest in better quality & less items.

Outside of work, I live in jeans and men's jumpers 😬😂. I find them longer and better quality. I get them in M&S men's section. Worryingly, they really suit me too!

I really rate Love Leggings for...well... leggings. Tank tops from Gap. Jeans from Gap, Sainsbury's, George, M&S and H&M. I don't spend loads on denim.

At work, I tend to wear dresses which I get secondhand on Vinted a lot. Just labels like Next or whatever. Nothing terribly fancy. But cheap on Vinted. I wear them with black, lace up boots which are years old from Clark's (and still in good nick, considering what I've put them through with unexpectedly muddy walks etc). A wipe down and some boot polish and they still look fine for work. Or in summer months I wear them with ballet flats from Allbirds (think they are called Treebreezers). I also wear slim trousers and a shirt at work, but dresses are my preference. Sometimes with a (men's) jumper or a cardi over the top

Good pair of white smart looking trainers for spring summer (ugg dinale). Good pair of black chelsea boots autumn/winter (vagabond kenova). Lace up boots monsoon or dune prestone.
A good coat (french connection, abercrombie).
Everlane basics (henley, scoop neck tee, white t-shirt, vest/tank. Lots of white, grey, brown, blue).
Jeans levis mile high in a light and dark wash for skinny.
Straight jeans - still on the hunt for the perfect ones…
Barneys leather jackets- cheap last me years.
A good mac coat - hobbs, mango

Good thread! I like Monki jeans for up-to-date cut, Uniqlo Heat Tech and cashmere blend socks from Calzedonia.