Wardrobe Basics #14: Cigarette Pants

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

This week's Basic is the Cigarette Pant: a wardrobe classic that has been much loved over the years and most particularly by my ultimate Style Icon, Audrey Hepburn. The shape of the trouser has made them an enduring classic which will take you from the boardroom to the bar in one easy step:




SAVE: REISS Paris high waisted trousers

SPEND: WEEKEND BY MAXMARA Cigarette trousers

SPLURGE: MARC BY MARC JACOBS Charlie matte jersey trousers

What is your Wardrobe Basic?

Wardrobe Basics: Classic White Tee #13

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

The white tee. What can I say? It is a wardrobe staple that you'd be crazy not to own:




SAVE: ASOS Button Back Tee

SPEND: Mardi Jeudi Sheer Crop Pocket T-Shirt at Asos

SPLURGE: Seneca Rising Double Pocket Short Sleeve T-Shirt at Asos

What is your Wardrobe Basic?

Wardrobe Basics: The It Bag #12

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

This week the "It Bag" takes centre stage. As London Fashion Week continues in the UK capital and fashionistas from around the world descend on the catwalks to soak up the wonderful creations, there will of course be many many "It Bags" being filled to the brim. Here are my picks for your budget:


SAVE: Warehouse Clean Shopper Bag from Asos

ASOS Leather Twist Lock Vintage Style Satchel

SPEND: Mulberry Oversized Alexa leather bag via net-a-porter*

SPLURGE: Proenza Schouler PS1 Large leather satchel via net-a-porter

What is your Wardrobe Basic?

*I do love the Mulberry Bayswater leather bag but for LFW I think the Alexa has the edge as is can be worn across the body - leaving hands free for shooting!

Wardrobe Basics: The Biker Jacket #11

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

This is one of my "to buy" items that I must have in my wardrobe this year. The biker jacket goes with anything. You can chuck it on over a tee and jeans or over an LBD to add a little rock'n'roll chic:




SAVE: Vero Moda Very Biker Detail Jacket at ASOS

SPEND: Lot78 Ziggy brushed-cotton biker jacket at net-a-porter

SPLURGE: Acne Rita textured leather biker jacket at net-a-porter

What is your Wardrobe Basic?

Wardrobe Basics: Cashmere #10

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

As the weather continues to be pretty cold, cashmere is a wardrobe basic that will keep you warm, whether in the shape of a shawl, cardigan, jumper or poncho:


SAVE: ASOS Premium Cotton Cashmere Mix Knitted Lounge Cape

SPEND: ACNE Lightweight cashmere cardigan at matches-fashion

SPLURGE: Donna Karan Oversized cashmere cardigan at net-a-porter

What is your Wardrobe Basic?

ALL UK RESIDENTS: REMEMBER TO ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO LONDON FASHION WEEKEND!

Wardrobe Basics #9: The Court Shoe

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

This week's "Basic" is The Court Shoe. The Court Shoe has the ability to transform a pair of skinny jeans from a casual day look to a smart evening outfit. They add a little glamour to a simple Little Black Dress.

SAVE: Blink suede court shoes:

SPEND: Best Mountain Felicity court shoes:



SPLURGE: Lollipops  Jolibow Pumps:

Wardrobe Basics #8: Little Black Dress

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

This week's Basic is the LBD. It is your go-to dress for any ocassion when you can't find or afford a new outfit. Add new pair of heels or a piece of statement jewellery and you have a different look every time!

SAVE: ASOS Strap Detail Ponti Bodycon Dress

SPEND: ASOS Exaggerated Bow Shoulder Dress

SPLURGE: Whistles Marline Dress

Do you have a go-to LBD in your wardrobe? (I have more than one... or two!! Shh!)

Wardrobe Basics #7: The Breton Tee

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

A Breton Tee is the ultimate in smart casual: it can be teamed with your pencil skirt for a work-wear look just as easily with your favourite pair of skinny jeans.

SAVE: H&M Striped Top:

SPEND: DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Striped jersey top

SPLURGE: A.P.C. Silk-blend striped top

What do you think is a Wardrobe Basic?

Wardrobe Basics #6: Ballet Pumps

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

I am a firm fan of flat shoes and ballet pumps are up there at the top of my favourite flats. Ballet pumps - like many of the Wardrobe Basics in this series - go with everything. I rarely wear anything else for work or play, with a suit or my jeans.


SAVE: Arian Francesita ballet pumps:

SPEND: Buffalo Animal Print Ballerinas:

SPLURGE: Bloch Classic Toe Cap Ballerina Pumps:

What do you think is a Wardrobe Basic?

Wardrobe Basics #5: The Trench

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

A trench coat is the coat for every occasion. Throw it on alone as a dress (!) or to smarten up an otherwise ordinary outfit. I have a Gap trench and love to throw it on over anything. With its position as an icon in its own right, there are plenty of options out there, for every budget:

SAVE: H&M Double Breasted Trench Coat:

SPEND: ASOS Maxi Trench:

SPLURGE: Burberry Cotton-twill Trench Coat:

What do you think is a Wardrobe Basic?

Wardrobe Basics #4: V-neck Tee

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

A good V-neck Tee is invaluable in your wardrobe - it can be thrown on with a pair of skinny jeans or even teamed with a suit for a less corporate look. When looking for your perfect V-neck Tee, look for one in a fabric that falls easily and doesn't fit too tightly.


SAVE: ASOS Basic Slub V-neck Slouch Tee:

SPEND: American Vintage V-neck T-shirt:

SPLURGE: T by Alexander Wang:

What do you think is a Wardrobe Basic?

Wardrobe Basics #3: The Pencil Skirt

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

When all else fails on a Monday morning, I reach for one of my pencil skirts and know that I will look smart and feel work-ready as soon as I put it on. But they don't just have to be for work-wear, teamed with a loose-fitting top and super high heels they make the perfect outfit for a dinner date.


SAVE: H&M Concealed Zip Black Pencil Skirt:

SPEND: Dorothy Perkins Grey Stripe Pencil Skirt:

SPLURGE: MaxMara Wool Pencil Skirt:

What do you think is a Wardrobe Basic?

Wardrobe Basics #2: Skinny Jeans

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

Skinny jeans are my ultimate Wardrobe Basic, at last count I had six pairs in my wardrobe (two of which are below!). Skinny jeans can look ultra smart and sophisticated when teamed with a shirt or blouse and blazer, and also be dressed down with a slouchy tee or jumper. Here are my skinny jeans of choice:


SAVE: H&M Slim-fit dark denim blue jeans:

SPEND: Gap Always Skinny Medium Blue Wash Jeans:

SPLURGE: Acne Dark Blue Skinny Jeans:

What do you think is a Wardrobe Basic?

Wardrobe Basics #1: The White Shirt

Following on from the Wardrobe Wake-Up series and my Wardrobe Essentials post earlier this year (Shannon of TheSimply Luxurious Life recently wrote a similar post too: 10 Wardrobe Essentials), this new series - Wardrobe Basics - will consider those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series will take each of those Basics and discuss their importance and where to buy them, for every budget.


The White Shirt:

This Wardrobe Basic can be dressed up - with a skirt or trouser suit - or dressed down - with jeans or a skirt. It will act as a fall-back top when nothing else looks or feels right.


SAVE: loose-fitting white shirt with one breast pocket from H&M:

SPEND: Wallis White Tuxedo Longline Shirt:

SPLURGE: Sportmax Corset Shirt:

This is, in fact, one of the Basics currently missing from my wardrobe and will therefore be added to my "must buy" list immediately.

What do you think is a Wardrobe Basic?