The secret for looking up to the minute fashionable without buying a new wardrobe every season

The secret for looking up to the minute fashionable without buying a new wardrobe every season

It’s the old question: how to build a wardrobe of classic timeless looks that will last forever yet still look up to the minute?

All the foundation pieces need to be well tailored in a classic flattering cut of good quality material.
You’ll need to be disciplined in the store when shopping for foundation garments as they have less hanger appeal than brightly coloured trend based clothing.

These are your investment pieces so it’s worth spending extra to get good fabrics and even a post-shop visit to your tailor to get the fit perfect.

In terms of colour, choose black or neutrals (bone, cream or white work best here). You can add your pops of colour in your shorter term trend based pieces I’ll talk about further on.
For fabric look for wool, cashmere and good quality cotton. Shoes should always be leather and the best quality you can afford.

Tim Gunn from Project Runway has his wardrobe basics too. His list is a good starting point, but it was a little too basic for me. I want to look amazing too, not just basic. Each outfit you put together really needs to include one WOW item. You know, that piece that someone always compliments you on.

Remember your lifestyle and make changes to the list to what you know will suit you. There’s no point having a wardrobe full of tailored business suits if you spend your time surfing and bushwalking!

So what does every chic wardrobe need?

Jackets:

• Long (below the knees) wool coat. This should be well tailored and fitted around the torso, possibly with a matching belt.
• Classic trench coat.
• Trans-seasonal short sleeved cropped trench coat.
• Leather suit style jacket, again this should be very well fitted.

Knits:

• Slim fitting cardigan.
• Slim fitting jumper that skims your body and lands below the hips.
• Slim fitting turtleneck jumper.

Tops:

• Basic well fitted t-shirt that’s long in the torso.
• Crisp tailored white shirt.

Accessories:

• Winter scarfs in wool or cashmere, one in black, cream and one print or colour.
• Big gold hoop earings.
• Diamond stud earings.
• Stockings: black fishnets (never coloured), sheer black stockings and thick opaque tights.
• Black and brown leather gloves.

Skirts:

• Black knee length pencil skirt.

Pants:

• Black slim fitting well tailored pants.

Dresses:

• The ultimate classic tailored little black dress: knee length with a fitted pencil style skirt.

Shoes:

• Black stilettoes with a pointed toe.
• Black ballet flats with a rounded toe.
• Knee length heeled black boots with a square toe.

Then each season, just add one trend based item and any of these looks are instantly new.
For this Autumn you could choose one of:

• Wide leather waist belt in black, beige or red.
• A brightly patterned Pucci print scarf tied around the head, neck or waist.
• Amazing up to the minute equestrian style boots.
• A pinnafore belted over your tights.
• Bright coloured leather motorcycle gloves (fingerless with buckles), think pillarbox red or tiffany blue.

And there it is. Whether you share your wardrobe secret with your friends or keep it to yourself is up to you! But be sure you’ll always look amazing without spending a fortune.