‘I’m a personal shopper. Here are the 12 items every woman needs in her wardrobe now.’ #mamamia
I was asked by Mamamia to name the 12 items every woman needs in her wardrobe.
Missed it ? It’s right here and now can actually now shop the post !
I have added my picks with links (under each item) at all prices from luxe to less.
A reminder on the FiFi philosophies:
Wardrobe staples need to be updated. Because (shock of shocks!) classics never last forever.
They are actually one of the first things to date.( which is why you struggle getting dressed when you pull out all your old classics you’ve had for years and suddenly they just don’t look right !).
If you want to look modern and chic (and I’m sure you do because you’re reading this), then it’s important to update your core pieces every few years.
For a versatile chic effortless wardrobe stick to classic colours but in updated dramatic shapes.
Here are the 12 items I recommend every woman owns in 2023 and beyond.
Sunglasses // 2. White tee // 3. Earrings // 4. Blazer // 5. Shirt // 6. Bag // 7. Trench // 8. Belt // 9. Jeans // 10. Skirt // 11. Striped Sweater // 12. Jeans // 13. Striped shirt // 14. Leather pants // 15. Beige pants // 16. Leather Pumps // 17. Boots // 18. Sneakers
1. A blazer.
Everyone needs a blazer that’s oversized, modern and casual. This is NOT a tight, short corporate blazer. It’s long, loose and effortless.
Go for a camel colour because it’s 10 times more versatile than black. It also looks chic with jeans, loves white and tan, and works year-round.
Buy Arket and stella Macartney and Frankie shop
2. A trench.
Say goodbye to that short single-breasted trench coat. You want yours to be long, double-breasted, oversized and slouchy.
If you are going to buy one trench, make it in a neutral. Outerwear is seen first, so make sure it’s going to make a statement (a black trench is ok but not as versatile. Start with camel).
What’s to love about a trench? It doesn’t have to be raining to wear it. It’s versatile with a capital V: toss it over a black dress for the evening, or over a white tee, with jeans and sneakers for the day.
Buy whistles , Burberry and Or Witchery
3. Jeans.
Update your jeans with a new wide shape and a high waist.
New shaped jeans – whether straight, wide leg, baggy or flare – will extend the life of all your old tops and, yes, even blazers.
The high waist means you can tuck in your tops and the wide leg reworks your proportions.
Go for a light wash for casual outfits, and dark denim if you are going out at night like these at Incu and Lee mathews
SHOP Bassike , Frame, Zara ,and other stories
4. Leather (or pleather) pants.
I’ve been living in pleather black pants for years.
That’s because they are not black pants but just as versatile, adding a fashiony edge to any thing you wear. I love them. The texture means something exciting is happening in your lewk and they are not boring black pants. Perfect in autumn, winter and spring.
They love a T-shirt and sneakers as much as a glamourous top and heels, and best thing is, they don’t need ironing.
SHOP: Zara, Matches , Outnet and here
5. A white shirt.
They say white next to your face takes 10 years off. I say yes, please.
Go for an exaggerated shape – big balloon sleeves, a double cuff, or shoulders that make a statement. Look for one on the voluminous size or at least a comfortable fit.
A long white shirt looks great under a jumper or tucked into high waist pants for evening (with a trench on your shoulders, of course!).
SHOP : Cos, ,Witchery,Net aporter
6. A white tee.
It’s vital to update your t-shirt often. They are the workhorse in your wardrobe, so you need to make sure they’re modern.
There are two types of t-shirts: one is a layering piece that you toss under a blazer or coat.
You probably won’t wear it on its own. It’s a quiet achiever. For this type, you want a round neck, a looser cut to skim over curves and sleeves that are loose. The cut can also be neater, because more often than not you’re tucking it in.
The second style of tee is a statement tee and looks great on its own – I’m talking shoulder pad tees and puff sleeve tees. They don’t like being under a jacket, for obvious reasons.
Love this one from COS, Arket , this one at COS , uniqlo and James Perse
7. A striped knit or Tee.
You need a striped sweater / or tee to add print and break up the monotone. I recommend going for a modern, slouchy shape. This is the best stripe tee ! yes, it’s FiFi approved.
Wear it with everything from leather pants to jeans to a maxi skirt and chinos. Hint: use the striped sweater as a scarf and toss it over your shoulders to amp up any outfit. It’s a thing.
SHOP: Kule, Bassike, Arket or toteme
8. A maxi skirt.
Quite often people say they need a dress. I say, invest in a skirt and top.
You’ll get more mileage out of your wardrobe because a skirt can be worn a million different ways. The best shape to invest in? An a-line maxi – because it’s so flattering.
For winter, wear your knee-high boots under a long skirt, then toss on a slouchy knit and trench. Could not be easier!
SHOP : Toteme, Matches,Lee mathews
9. Beige camel pants/chinos.
Not jeans but just as casual. Not black pants but just as chic.
Beige chinos are vital in your wardrobe. Update them this season into a cargos shape (either in a neutral or white). You will live in them.
They look cool on weekends with sneakers and a slouchy jumper and coat, but low-key for evenings with heels and a blazer. I promise you will love them.
SHOP: Incu,theiconic,COS,Closed
10. Block-heel / flat shoes.
The good news is that shoes are now comfortable. YAY. Ballet flats or Mary Janes with a block heel or a chic kitten heel are all you need in life.
I suggest going for tan or white – I think I have about 15 pairs of white shoes. They immediately update everything you own like these Everlane loafers
For winter, I’d invest in a pair of knee-high neutral boots with a block heel to wear under jeans. Goodbye ankle boots. I live in cream/white boots in winter.
SHOP : These boots at Khaite, arket or Tony bianco
11. Sneakers.
Still so right. Converse, Adidas or major statement-making sneakers all work hard in your wardrobe. These 327 New balance are the MOST comfortable ever. You need a tan sole to link in back to your neutral wardrobe.
Wide leg pants and big coats LOVE sneakers. It’s a winter uniform that is so easy to pull off and totally comfortable. If you want a little bit of colour in your wardrobe, then a bright sneaker is the way to go.
12. A handbag.
Go for the best quality you can afford. A designer handbag elevates everything.
It’s something you use every day so you’ll get great cost per wear. You need a tan bag – a tote, structured or relaxed, that you can use every day. Oroton
And a small cross body – so practical and chic, great for travel and goes from day to evening. Look for tan, beige or white. Maybe with a logo.
A black version also looks good at night. And please do not worry about matching bags and shoes!
That should do you for the next few years !
