Key pieces to wear right now ..and right into next season !

Back from holidays? Itching to buy something?
Just remember the most important questions to ask yourself when shopping right now:
Can I wear this next season?
Does it go back to with the rest of my wardrobe?
Can I wear it on my OS trip to France in summer? ( Yes, please !)
Will I get good cost per wear?
Please don’t waste your money buying silly things in the sales because they are cheap. And look pretty and shiny on the hanger but don’t work with any else you actually own. No. No. NO .
Think before you buy!

Here’s a reminder of the FiFi philosophies to keep in mind when shopping any time of the year:

• Think expensive colours – black, grey, navy, beige, camel and white. Don’t have to be expensive but will look it. Totally versatile. All those colours work effortlessly together. Hot pink? Never looks expensive unless it is. Which is why I have chosen lots of black , neutrals and white below. Plus black looks best in summer when you have bare arms and legs to freshen it up.
• Update! Update! Update the classics. Because wardrobe basics actually date. Blazer. Trench. LBD. White shirt. Black pants. Sweater. white tee. You can’t wear them forever. They need to be updated into new shapes. That’s where you get the fashion vava voom. That’s if you want to look modern and chic. Which I guess you do because you are reading this!
• Think table top dressing: Keep the focus and the fashion on the top where everyone is looking ( print skirts and pants will be hiding under the table!)( they are trouble)
• Think three colours on the body: two colours can be too matchy match. More than three? Way too difficult to get dressed. You need hours to style up lots of different colours. Good luck if you can.
• Keep an eye on the trends and invest early so you get mileage and great cost per wear. Don’t know the trends? Don’t worry I do. It’s my super power ( you gotta have one don’t you!).
• What’s still going strong for next season? Oversized for sure. It’s peaking and plateauing. Looks almost normal. The change in silhouette is imperceptible. Things are definitely staying slouchy but the waist is back.
• Other trends: big sleeves, puff sleeves are still around. A sporty luxe trend is happening so think a zip bomber works with a pencil skirt, track pants with heels, sneakers with a trousers suits, a pleat box skirt with a hoodie !
  Also invest in wide leg pants. Flares. High waist ( I’m ignoring waist baring as I will never do it). Maxi lengths. Cargoes pants are still here. Bombers jackets. Shackets. Shoulder pads. Khaki. Dark brown and navy.

Click on any of these pics below to go straight to the store.

Your checklist:

A midi dress 
So right for this summer and going into next season. It should be mid shin, a fit flare shape means it’s more versatile and easy to wear with flat , kitten heels or sneakers. Go for white, brown or white. Navy is chic too. If you’re worried about showing your arms there ain’t nothing wrong with a puff sleeve or a sneaky shoulder pad. Throw it on and walk out the door. Worth buying in the sales as you will definitely wear into next summer.
Also be on the look out for jumpsuits like this which you can later over a white tee and toss a blazer on your shoulders.

An oversized blazer.
In fact I’ll call it a slouchy blazer. It might have big Dolman sleeves or more of waist but the oversized blazer is still right and will be around for a years yet. Camel is great, so is khaki or white. Check is chic. Avoid black it’s not as versatile ( a black blazer with black pants is a suit. A camel blazer with your fav black pants= chic!). Of course if you want a trousers suit go lighter tones ) or grey) and buy matching wide leg pants. And wear with flats. Other jackets to invest in right now: a short Chanel style jacket and a peacoat and a leather blazer.

Midi Skirts:
It’s the season of the skirt ! You need three styles: A pleat midi skirt, a midi pencil skirt. And a full 50’s or A line skirt. (I am walking right past anything short). Buy what suits your style.  Just make sure they are all midi ( I find maxi floor length skirts look wrong during the day. You need to show some shin skin to freshen it up) All of these styles sit on the waist but quite often I buy a size up so the skirts sits lower and doesn’t dig into your muffin situation. Best thing about a midi skirt is that they love chunky flat but will also look fabulous with knee high boots in winter.

Baggy jeans:
If you update one single pivotal piece in your wardrobe ( like wide leg/baggy jeans) suddenly everything else in your wardrobe gets a new life ! That old white shirt, your neat black top, a short neat blazer will get an instant when tucked in and worn with high waist /slouchy jeans. Go for a lighter wash denim in summer ( it looks fresh with white and neutrals) but darker denim is great for going out.

An extended shoulder top:
A white tee on steroids. Been living in these all summer. And I know I will definitely wearing. In fact you won’t even notice the shoulders pads next year. The thing is they add edge. Give structure. The illusion of thinner arms! Plus white next to your face takes off 10 years. Fresh. Minimal. Low key. They will instantly update any old pants or jeans lurking in your wardrobe

A sleeveless vest
This is a great trans seasonal piece. (I have this and adore it !) Wear right now with a white tank under it. Wear in Autumn over a long sleeve knit. It gives the structure of a blazer, adds sophistication without looking too jooshed up. Wear with pants or skirts. Jeans. Leather pants.. Great for the office if you get cold but don’t want to wear a blazer.

cream  sweater:
Invest in a cream sweater. So right on chilly nights in summer. Wear with jeans. White chinos. Beige pants. Then wear into winter. So much chicer and more flattering than any colour. Love my Arket sweaters.I have this is brown, grey and cream. It’s machine washable, the best colour and doesn’t pill. Sits at the right length.Works on its own or under a coat.

A blue shirt:
There’s a reason I’m always including a blue shirt here on The FiFi Report? It adds a colour (!) Works with blue jeans. Looks fabulous with camel pants. Looks chic under a beige blazer. Loves black and loves white. It’s table top dressing ! Wear summer into winter.

Accessories:
You need a big bag, some pointy sling backs and loafers,  knee high boots and a thin tie belt to wrap around your coats and blazers.  Invest in tan or white sandals to  lighten the look and add a third colour. A tan bucket bag will do the same thing. Love a straw basket to wear for everyday. You need brown sunglasses. They will work with all your neutrals. And white /multi colour sneakers. But make sure they have a tan sole ( not black which can be limiting). Adore the Gucci hat...

Let me know if you have any questions !
F