10+ elevated basics to wear now & straight into next season …under $200 #FiFiFavFinds
It’s that time of year.
Is it winter or spring?
The weather can be all over the place, one day you need a coat , the next a T shirt and blazer.
SO what to buy now and wear now ?
I want chic elevated basics which are fashiony enough to inject a little cool into my current wardrobe.
I want pieces that are good value with great cost per wear.
I want pieces that will slide easily into my winter wardrobe but also take me through to summer ( and beyond).
I want pieces to spark a little joy !
And I bet you do too !
Here are my picks of elevated basics all under $200 : You’re welcome.
What: white shirt.
Why: because it’s an elevated style , with a pussy bow. You want a collarless white shirt or one with a bow.
A bit more exciting that a plain ol bank teller white shirt. In great cotton. A chic cut. Because white next t0 your face takes 10 years off. Love that.
Wear : You can wear with loose jeans and baggy chinos. You need to sex it up. Wear with pointy heels and strappy sandals. It will look cool under a blazer or big coat but also great on its own. It’s table top dressing. Perfect for casual dinners out as it makes a statement.
Buy here.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
What : dark denim barrel jeans.
Why: Because dark denim is a little dressier. As flattering as black pants but a cooler relaxed vibe. These are an incredible cut. I love them. I wear a size 30. Not too high, not too low. Skim over the bad bits. A great length ( on me)
Wear: These jeans will take your right into spring with a white tee and camel blazer. With a short cropped bomber jacket = My default outfit ! Love with a sweater, trench and loafers, great with pointy kitten heels and bomber jacket. In summer with a shoulder pad tee.
BUY here on sale.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
What : A shoulder pad tee
Why: Because they are so flattering. And I mean that in the truest sense …flattering literally means looking slim right? That’s what people mean. If slimming is what you want. It’s not the end game , which is why I wear a lot of oversized and don’t give a FF if I look bigger. But a shoulder pad tee gives great shoulders so it skims over the muffin situation. Don’t I know it ! Also I LOVE the fashiony edge of a shoulder pad tee. You put it on and you just look instantly cool. ( a sloppy white tee on its own? sloppy and floppy!)( that me anyway!) Love that it’s a knit so it is trans seasonal and has a little more structure and holds its shape than a cotton tee. Great colour too.
Wear: With everything ! I like the idea of tonal dressing so a camel , choc brown bomber or blazer over the brown tee. Under a trench, yes ! Or layer it under a slouchy knit and watch how it gives you shape and structure. In summer with barrel pants, white jeans and shorts, with a denim skirt. You get the idea. Go up a size : it might be tight.
BUY here
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
What : a textured slouchy blazer
Why: it’s a bit more interesting than a plain blazer. Love anything in textured/tweed brown ATM. It’s going to give great bang for your buck. Makes a statement. You will wear into next winter. It’s a slouchy cut, which means it feels casual. You don’t feel too stitched up and corporate. Which means to me VERSATILE.
Wear: with jeans and a white tank/tee going into spring. Over a knit with leather pants right now. With cotton baggy chinos and white loafers. With a red knit around your waist !
Buy here:
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
What: A cargo denim skirt
Why: Because it’s full skirt but has a flat front so it will give you one. Haha. It’s a nice darker blue denim.A good length. And an excellent way to rock skirt in your wardrobe but because it’s denim it’s not too joosh.
Wear: like this below with a white tee and mules in summer. Wear now when it’s chilly with a slouchy cream knit hanging out and brown knee high boots. With a trench over the top. I’d even wear with sneakers, pointy flats and a bomber jacket. Go up a size so it sits lower and loose.
BUY here.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
What: white denim culottes/ shorts
Why: Because they are like white jeans but shorter. A great cut , flat around the waist but quite a wide longer leg which means they are less shorts but more culottes. So a bit dressier than, say , beach shorts. In a thicker denim. I’ve ordered size 30. I might even get them taken up as they are quite long over the knee. White denim bermudas are a must buy for summer so buy now. I’m channeling the very expensive white carpenter shorts see below at Phoebe Philo .
Wear: In chilly weather I will wear with a slouchy neutral knit and bare legs with brown suede slingbacks. But that’s Sydney weather. In a Melbourne spring try with a white Tee and a short crop jacket and heels if your legs are presentable to be seen ! Not sure if knee high boots would work but try and see ! The Chanel lines look good below. Note: I will do a round up of Bermuda shorts closer to summer at every price.
Buy here:
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
What: Brown short funnel neck jacket:
Why: It’s the season of the short jacket ( as I have been saying for a few seasons) , It might be a bomber, a funnel neck , or utility jacket. Love that this is a bit textured. The choc brown colour is good too of course. Love the sporty zip, high collar and the patch pockets: dresses down the formalness of the fabric. It’s a shape you could wear to work, weekends, every day. Versatile with a capital V. Also spied this jacket in Zara too , love it . Does the same thing.
Wear: Like this below , right now with all black under it, a flirty A line skirt and boots = cool. Or try with brown leather pants or leather shorts.I have these and I will be ! But then in spring default to all white under it. See below. A white tee and white slouchy jeans/shorts and floafers/brown kitten heels. ( I wear these constantly !)( sooo comfortable !) Love the styling below.
BUY here.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
What: a black knee length skirt.
Why: this is the new shape skirt. That 90’s knee length now feels new. Get used to it ! I wore it the first time and I will wear it again. ( mmm now where did I store with all those skirts??!). Buy early in the trend and get years of wear. I am not saying you must stop wearing your midi skirts: no, no, no ! They are still good. (And SO right with flats for summer). This skirt is very Helmut Lang with a zip fly and low slung with belt loops. Slightly stretchy . This is good.
Wear: with a big oversized blazer and a tee. With a slouchy long sweater and white lace up flats when it’s cold. In spring like this with a white shoulder pad tank , a camel trench in the same length and mules. So 90’s right? Yes, please ! That minimalist style will always be my happy place ! Bring it on.
BUY here
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
What: An orange or red knit.
Why: it’s very fashion right now. A red or orange knit is a thang. Which you know because I include one every week ! Best way to add colour to your wardrobe. That’s the only reason to buy one ! (yes Ok, it will keep you warm too.)
Wear: I am not actually saying you actually have to wear this. HAHA . That’s a bit scary . More that it is an accessory to wear around toss like a scarf your neck, or around your waist. (Or try this red shirt). Love orange and red with any choc brown. With head to toe white. Hint: if you do actually put it on then it’s better over a white tee with the white neckline peeking out. I’ve ordered the mens orange cashmere in a medium. Stay tuned for my fits.
BUY here.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
What : A big brown tote.
Why: A great colour . Fantastic size. Casual shape. Big totes are the fashion bag du jour right now. And I have this tote ( thanks Assembly label !) (now on sale). And it’s a winner. The leather is soft but holds it shapes. Beautiful suede inside lining. Great for travel. I’ve thrown in the car, on the plane a few times and it doesn’t scratch easily. And you can fit so much in and still shove it under the seat in front. Even your orange cashmere sweater !
Wear: With all your choc browns ,white and camels. With khaki or black. Such a great price for quality.
BUY here. On sale !
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
What: brown mules
Why: Lived in brown suede mules last summer. They were my default every day heels. I never get cold feet. I hate shoes that rub at the back. I am not good with really flat shoes unless on holiday. These fit the bill. Also the casual look of the thong means you can wear heels without looking too dressy or too try hard. Love the brown or tan. Go for high heel or low kitten.
Wear : with barrel crop jeans, with brown bermuda shorts, with balloon pants, with a denim skirt. In fact with everything ! A must buy .
BUY : I bought these (and these $$) Might just keep both so I am ready for any occasion. The Zara ones are sooo comfortable. Look expensive. Lower heel is always good as they look casual for every day.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
What: White lace ups/loafers
Why: Because white shoes will always instantly update your wardrobe. Add edge. There is a saying “ the shoes sell the jacket” Which means when you try on a classic trench or blazer and it feels a bit blah , add white laceups or loafers and Voila ! Everything suddenly looks cool. Worth every cent. As you know white laceups derby shoes à la Celine are very cool right now. See below. If you can’t go there then go for white loafers instead. Both are great for winter into spring. But really good all year round. Trans seasonal with a capital T .
Wear : with jeans, with leather pants, with white denim jeans. With wide leg camel pants, even with skirts. Can’t go wrong. The perfect shoes when you don’t want to wear boots but it’s too cold and wet for sandals.
Buy here , I have these and here. Just over $200.
Have a great weekend and as always DM me on IG if you have any questions or feedback ! X
