The key wardrobe essentials to take you through to next season!

The big question:
What to buy right now?
It’s a weird covid casual world we live in !
The aim is to build a wardrobe of great pieces.
Wonderful chic, versatile pieces you can wear again and again.
Not silly one off items you wear only once and then toss out.
Noooooo !
That’s never been my mantra.
Words like conscious consumer and sustainable were not really tossed around when I started  this more than 20 years ago ( yes, way back in 2000) (started when I was 10 years old haha).
But the FiFi philosophy has always been about that: investing in a wardrobe of versatile pieces to toss on time and again.

Whatever your budget it’s about getting serious mileage from your wardrobe.
They say if you wear something more than 30 times it can be called sustainable.
That’s what I am talking about.
(And hello : If you have been shopping with me you are still probably wearing pieces from years ago..you’re welcome!).
Because I can sniff out a trend when it first appears on the fashion horizon it means you get the inside scoop on what to buy early and invest in.
Cost per wear?  = zero.
The trick is to stick to classic versatile colours but always updating THE SHAPE into something new and exciting.

I know because I practice what I preach !
Check out my favourite pieces worn many times over on SHOPwithFiFi.

So the big question:
What to buy now to take you into next winter, into next summer and beyond?
Here’s your checklist of the key pieces and how to wear them all in both summer AND winter.

All FiFi approved !

Your checklist:

Black pleat front peg leg pants:
A key piece in your trans seasonal wardrobe.  Make sure you update your black pants into the new modern shape. High waist. Peg leg. Pleat front or flat front. These are your work horse. Please wave goodbye to low rise tight boring narrow pants. I am going to sleep thinking how YAWN these are. The thing is when you update one single foundation piece like black pants it will joosh up your last season daggy tops. ( hint: tuck in that top please!). Mix old and new to get more wear out of your wardrobe.  Wear these slouchy pants in summer with a white tee and birks/flats. In winter with a slouchy sweater and chunky boots.

Slouchy camel pants:
Think of them your updated chinos. A peg leg is chic. So are front pleats. Same as your black pants : Wear in summer with shirts tucked in and sandals. In winter with a big sweater and chunky boots. Invest now in these fabulous pants from Tibi – trans seasonal fabric is the key.

A long maxi skirt:
It’s pivotal to your wardrobe. You want a fit and flare shape. Flat front (so you look like you have one) and then let it flares out over the hips.. It should be long, to mid shin or longer. Like this one I have been living in from Uniqlo, a fabulous cut. Go for camel, black or khaki. In summer wear with a white Tee or shoulder pad tank with your most fav chunky dad sandals. But here’s the best thing: this skirt is PERFECT with knee high boots and a slouchy sweater when it gets chilly. White is good, black is versatile and brown is chic.

Wide leg  jeans: You need in white and light blue denim. They can have a side pocket or a flat front. Wear in summer with a shoulder pad tee or tank. You will also love white jeans in winter. Because they look great with big camel coats and slouchy knits.

A blue (stripe) shirt: You need this shirt to break up the neutrals in summer. It will add colour (!) and print. (That’s about as much colour and print you ever need!) A blue shirt with white jeans in summer = j’adore, see here. For winter? A blue shirt looks great with black pants and a check blazer – see here. Most importantly a blue stripe shirt is in love with denim. In any weather.

A major white shirt:
This is handy dot com. I know because I bought it. Perfect for casual dinners or drinks. It’s a statement top that will joosh up jeans or look chic with leather pants. Wear in winter with a camel coat tossed over your shoulders so you don’t squash sleeves.

A white elevated tee: 
You need a white top that’s not a casual tee. And not a plain shirt either. White clingy , unstructured T shirts never look good on anyone ( except stick insects). You want a white tee top that skims , is structured, in stiff fabric. Look for pleats or big sleeves or something that will add a little sophistication. It will elevate your jeans and chinos in summer. It’s tabletop dressing= keep it looking chic from the waist up. And it’s the perfect layering piece under a blazer or coat going into winter.

A camel blazer: It should be big. Slouchy. Long. single or double breasted. If you only buy one blazer make sure it is in camel. Don’t buy black , all it does is drag your wardrobe down into boringness. Sure, a black blazer looks great with a white tee and jeans. But that’s it. Whereas a camel blazer? It lightens up and loves everything.  Wear over a white tee and white jeans on chilly summer nights. Over a white dress. And then watch how perfect it is in winter over a sweater. With black leather pants.

A double breasted trench:
Make it long. Slouchy. Oversized. In a versatile beige or camel. Ideal on a rainy day over a summer dress with flats. Looks fabulous with a slouchy neutral sweater in winter with leather pants. It’s a wardrobe essential !

Shoes:
Flats, flats, flats! In white or taupe, tan or black. Chunky or strappy. It’s all you need right now with slouchy pants and long skirts. Flats will definitely be around next summer. Will be perfect to pack for your next trip to Provence, um, er in July…next year. If you crave some height in summer then go for a tan mule, still casual but looks chic, gives good leg lengthening. Love these I bought from at Zara, or  YSL
For winter? You need white loafers, chunky loafers, chunky boots, and block heel knee high boots that I have been telling you to buy for the last 5 years. More on that soon !

Click on the pics below and on the SHOP pages.…Have a great Australia Day!