Why I Fell Back in Love With Fashion Basics
Because trends only last so long.
I
could never describe my fashion style. I embrace a lot of different
influences, from trendy pieces (at the moment it's leopard print and
flowy midi skirts) to more... unusual inspirations (Edwardian fashion
is my favourite, and I do have a couple tops with high lace necks -
but of course I do not dress according to my tastes in historical
fashion.) I simply love a bit of everything! Except for UGG boots.
Sorry.
My
wardrobe is full of items that could be classified in different
styles, some girly things, some cute prints, come trendy pieces, but
overall over the last year or so I've found myself going more towards
basic pieces and styles. I still love my one-off pieces, but those I
wear the most when I put outfits together are the basics: jeans,
stripes, monochrome shirts and tshirts. In the autumn I loved wearing
my trench and my navy blue military jacket, and now that it is winter
I swear by my camel Marks & Spencer coat. If you're thinking
about refreshing your wardrobe and going back to basics, here are the
reasons why I think you can never go wrong!
BASICS ARE TIMELESS PIECES
Starting with the obvious here: basics will stay with you longer than trendy items that you may fall out of love with. Basic pieces such as
blue jeans, white or black shirts, trench coats, little black boots,
are always in fashion. You can always find them in the shops should
you need to replace those that you have, and you will always see
other people wear them too - which will also keep renewing your love
for them.
With
trends, you can of course fall head over heels and keep wearing that
trend for years and years, but it is likely that once you don't see
them as much, and they are replaced with other, new trends both in
the streets and in the shops, and then they will slowly be replaced
in your mind too. Remember corset belts from a couple years ago? They
must all be hiding under their owners' beds now, in big boxes. (I
never liked that trend anyway - though I love a good 18th century
corset. Beautiful.)
Neutral items of clothing just go with everything. Although to be fair, I feel like leopard print also goes with a lot of things - but you get my meaning here.
Let's take my stripey dress from the photo above: it's a basic from H&M and can literally be worn with anything, in any season. I typically wear it in the autumn with tights, black or brown boots (ankle boots or even higher boots) and a jacket. But it can also be worn in the summer with little white trainers. You can also wear a grey jumper on top of it. You can turn it into a top by wearing a skirt (midi, pencil, you name it) on top. It's so easy!
Basics go together very well, and it's easy to mix and match them so that you don't get bored. If you pick versatile pieces, you will be able to wear them no matter the season too. It makes you think smarter when you buy, but also you build up a more curated, homogeneous style. And that's always good if you don't like taking hours to put together an outfit for the day.
BASICS ARE CHEAPER
I
feel like this is something we don't think about enough: basics are a
lot cheaper than trendy seasonal collections! Most shops now have a
basics section where you can stock up on everything for reasonable
prices: H&M, Zara, Primark, and many more. Even if
you're looking for quality, basics will always be less expensive than
the other collections shops bring out every season. You can find good
quality jumpers in Zara or H&M for example, if you look at their
basics section. Same for jeans - good ol' blue jeans will always
be cheaper than ripped and stringy trendy jeans, even in the
exact same shop. Basics are more classic, and they will cost you
less.
ABOUT ACCESSORIES: INVESTING IS SAVING
It
is exactly the same about shoes, and bags, and to a certain extent
jewellery: some come in and out of style, some are always there.
Black and brown boots will always be available to buy in the shops,
they will always be 'trendy' - and they will go with every single
outfit you wear. For accessories I would suggest investing, maybe
putting a bit more money, because this is how you save in the long
run. I've had my camel M&S coat for three years now, and it is
good quality as well as timeless. Instead I could have bought a
trendy coat of lesser quality (like a bright pink bomber, let's say)
that I would have worn fewer times - because it really doesn't go
with everything, and I'd really only wear a coat three months of the
year. The rest of the time, said coat would be in my wardrobe feeling
sorry for itself.
Invest
in good bags, good shoes - quality materials and neutral colours are
my go-to for both - and you will: a. feel like it is a treat to wear
such a nice item, and b. keep it for years and years. If you keep to
basics, you won't even need to put yourself on a shopping ban every
January. And you'll always look great. Double win!
What are your wardobe basics?
Lots of love,
Julia x
Lots of love,
Julia x
25 commentaires
I plan to start a capsule wardrobe once spring comes around, and that means having the basics down. It won't be that much of a challenge (I hope) as I agree with everything you said and already have a great variety of basics to pick from, I just want to streamline it even more.
ReplyDeleteOh, and UGG boots are a hard no!
Anne - Linda, Libra, Loca
Capsule wardrobes are definitely very interesting, and although at the moment I couldn't really commit to building one for myself, I love reading about other's people journeys into capsule wardrobe-ing (?). I hope you'll share some of your thoughts on your blog! xx
DeleteI found myself making a similar transition into basics. I have yet to invest in my accessories but I'm sure that your view is correct.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nancyugo.com/2019/01/reversible-ankara-skirt.html
Investing in accessories is something you can do over a long period of time, but I think that when you look back, it'll be worth it! xx
DeleteI couldn't agree more with you, Julia. This is definitely something I'm striving for. Work in process here. :-)
ReplyDeletehttps://www.missymayification.co.uk
I hope you get there! xx
DeleteOmg loved this post!!!! Amazing
ReplyDeletejadieegosh
I'm glad you did Jadie! xx
DeleteLOVE this girl!! Such gorgeous posts
ReplyDeletewww.petiteelliee.com
Ellie xx
Thank you Ellie! xx
DeleteI'm all about the basics too, they last longer and they tend to be more versatile xx
ReplyDeleteGemma Etc. ❤️
I definitely agree! xx
DeleteUgh I feel you Julia! Being able to pull outfits together with more ease and in a shorter space of time is definitely a plus point of appreciating basics! Hope you're having a fabulous weekend so far babe :)
ReplyDeleteaglassofice.com x
Sometimes, it's good to just go for the easy options! I hope you had a wonderful weekend too! xx
DeleteLove all these looks! Basics are always the best, they're so versatile xx
ReplyDeletehttps://www.flolavita.co.uk/2019/02/does-way-we-market-male-health-products.html
Exactly! xx
DeleteAw great article Julia! This has me so inspired to create a capsule wardrobe, or one of basics :D I adore that top you wear in the top photo and love how you style your outfits, for me my challenge is finding things I can wear every season; I have so many jumpers haha, I would love to be able to have pieces I can wear all year long and not have to keep putting in storage :D xx
ReplyDeleteelizabeth ♡ ”Ice Cream” whispers Clara
I get you Elizabeth! You may have to invest in a few basic pieces for each season. Or rely on layering! xx
DeleteGlad that I'm not the only one! xx
ReplyDeleteWhite blouse looks pretty <3 regards:*
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like it Monika! xx
DeleteI'm agreeing with you about UGG boots, they are horrible. Of course, I also agree with you about the basics and why they are a must in any wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteHaha that made me laugh Anca! This seems to be a pretty popular opinion in the end! xx
DeleteHonestly I feel like there's something so raw and wholesome about fashion basics - I will always find myself returning to them!
ReplyDeleteHave a great rest-of-week :)
Amy x Wandering Everywhere
Just the fact that we always go back to them tells a lot! xx
Delete