The world went through a roller-coaster of a year in 2020, and so did the fashion industry. If you’re anything like me, you’ve accumulated an outrageous amount of loungewear, so much so, your office clothes have packed up their bags and rehoused to the loft.
With the future looking brighter, both literally and figuratively, I’ve pulled together the five wardrobe staples to invest in for the year ahead. Essentials, basics, must-haves or whatever else you call them – these picks are fail-safe come rain or shine, winter or summer. So, whether you’re dressing for a trip to the supermarket or a night on the town, these are the fashion items you’ll want at the front of your wardrobe.
The Statement Blazer
Whether you’re dressing from the waist-up for a Zoom call or heading out for your eagerly awaited post-lockdown date, the blazer completes almost every look. I have a blazer to suit every colour palette. A black blazer for draping over my shoulders to spruce up my cocktail dresses and a beige one for street-styling my vintage denim jeans. Here are a few of my favourites:
The Shacket
Too breezy for no jacket, but too warm for a winter coat? Think ‘shackets’- a cross between a shirt and a jacket. The reason why they’ve made the hit list? Their versatility. Wear them layered over your favourite graphic t-shirt, buttoned up with a statement belt to clench the waist, or style it long-line with mid-calf boots.
The Chunky Lace-up Boots
If you don’t own a pair of these by now then where have you been? I’ve been living in mine since Santa dropped them under my tree and there’s no plans to swap them for stilettos anytime soon. Equally stylish as they are practical, I’m pairing mine with flares and a baggy jumper for snowy walks now. Come summer, I’ll be pairing them with denim shorts and a crop top.
The Statement Shoulder Bag
Gone are the days of hauling around a bulky leather tote bag. The statement shoulder bag is here, and it’s here to stay! This staple item is big enough to fit your essentials, but small enough that you can dance without a care. I love the variety of colours and bold patterns available; they complete any outfit. Keep scrolling to see a few of my favourites.
The Beige Basics
Okay, so this one’s more of a colour scheme than a single hanger item. Beige is beginning to challenge black as the principle wardrobe colour. From a timeless trench to a ribbed wrap dress, 50 shades of beige offer timeless sophistication for all seasons.