OTR.1: My Wardrobe Essentials
It's a lot of knitwear.
Here’s the thing - I love fashion.
This post is a departure from what I normally write about, but it is one of the great loves of my life. Piecing together outfits like an infinite jigsaw puzzle is a meditative experience for me. I toy with the Indyx app like I used to play with Doodle Jump. Fashion Substack is my happy place.
I don’t know why, but talking about my love of fashion feels really embarrassing. I’m not sure what it is, it feels the same as when I was too shy to say that Daphne was my favourite member of Mystery Inc.
I like nice things. I love beautiful fabrics that feel like they’re hugging me. I like quality pieces that feel like a reward when I finally choose to buy them. Since I’ve left university and began earning money of my own, investing in my wardrobe has been the ultimate luxury. I’ve always said that my confidence comes from my outfit. I choose the pieces that are going to make me feel like my best self for the day, and my behaviour and habits adjust accordingly.
Sooooo today I want to talk you through some of my favourite pieces, and why I love them so much. I’d never be someone to tell people what to wear, but I love clothes and I love reading about what other people enjoy wearing and how they style them, so this is what I like.
The Perfect Jacket
My kryptonite is jackets and handbags. For me, a good jacket can make an outfit. Living in England, where it’s cold and wet 90% of the time, my outfit is normally covered up by outerwear anyway. I may as well make it something really nice.
I’m short, so I’m always conscious that I don’t want my outerwear to look too oversized and swamp me. That would just be unflattering and I’m not someone who likes tripping over trousers, dresses and coats because they’re a few inches too long. If you are lucky enough to pull off an oversized trench or bomber jacket, I envy you, you’re so cool.
My favourite jacket so far this season is this one from COS. It makes me feel like Emma Roberts in Nancy Drew! It’s not the most practical in colder weather to wear alone, so I style it as a cardigan, typically over a stretchy dress (more on these later) or with a slim fit tee and jeans. This jacket is more of a bolero style, it’s super cropped so it adds a bit of interest and shape to the outfit. Also, because I’m short (did I mention?), I feel like it elongates my figure a bit. Whether it actually does is up for debate, but it makes me feel at least two inches taller, so I’ll take it.
By contrast, I adore a really long coat. I’ve included a picture of Nicola Coughlan in my inspo, this one looks gorge because the bottom of her coat finishes at the same length of her skirt, which makes her outfit look polished.
A Chunky Knit
I own too many jumpers, but they’re all loved equally. I’m a big fan of a chunky knit, and I think they should be fun. I’m wearing a jumper because it’s cold, which means my day needs brightening up.
My favourite place for a jumper is & Other Stories. I have their Mock-Neck Sweater in multiple colours, I can confirm they wash really well, and they’re not itchy. NB - if a jumper is itchy, it’s going straight back where it came from. You’ll never wear it. Fabric composition is important!! They’re so soft, they come in fab colours, and the shape is universally flattering. The mock neck is probably my favourite part - I’m a high neck girlie. Ideally, the neck would be so high it just looks like my head is floating, but this is a nice starting point.
Throw on a chunky knit with a pair of jeans and sneakers for an easy daytime fit, or layer over a stretchy dress on colder mornings. I also love the way Suncoo have styled this fuchsia knit with leather shorts and will be recreating! I don’t own any knits from Suncoo but their stuff is just stunning.
Stretchy Dresses
Stretchy dress, knitted dress, ribbed midi, whatever you want to call them - this is my uniform. If in doubt, stretchy dress and boots. I have these dresses in many different colours, and I don’t mind because they all get worn over and over again. I’d rather buy another one of these knowing it will be worn until holes appear than a dress that sits in my wardrobe staring at me and making me feel guilty.
I firmly believe these dresses are flattering on anyone, no matter your height or body type. The best ones skim your body so it feels like you’re cocooned in a chic blanket. They’re perfect for trips to the pub for a Sunday roast on a crisp autumn afternoon.
My preference with a stretchy dress (I don’t know what else to call them) is a midi/maxi length, however I love this Sézane mini because it’s the perfect Rachel Green LBD. I wore it with tights and chunky Doc Martens the other day, but I love the way they’ve styled it with thigh-highs. Also, if anyone sees a dress like Selena Gomez’s leopard one here, let me know!! It’s incredible!
As an alternative that does the same job but different - a midi skirt and a knit.
You can dress them up or down - wear with sneakers and a long coat for coffee with a friend or with heeled boots and a red lip for dinner at a restaurant.
Good Denim
When it comes to denim, I am loyal to one brand only. I came across a pair of Seventy + Mochi jeans last February and I haven’t worn any other brand since. They do jeans SO well, in so many shapes and colours. My favourites are the Elodie jeans, but I also have the Marie jeans which are a little longer. I’m sure you know the pain of finding a good pair of jeans: they’re too long, too short, too tight, they gape at the back, blah blah blah, we’ve all been there. There is no singular pair of denim jeans that works for everyone.
Personally, I like a wide leg jean. I do not have the body type for straight leg jeans, and barrel legs, though I wish I suited them, make me look like a hot air balloon. I think when it comes to finding a pair of denim jeans, you need to block out what’s trending and just go with what you like the look of on your body. It may take time, but when you find the right pair you’ll do a happy dance in the changing rooms.
Comfy Shoes
I love shoes. SO much. I wear my shoes until the soles are falling apart and there are holes in them. I find that when I find a shoe I like, I never change them and I will wear them with every outfit. Typically I go for neutral trainers, like these Vejas or New Balance. For a change, I bought a red/pink pair of Adidas Campus at the start of the year and I was really pleased I did! They’re really comfortable, but it also encouraged me to try new colour combinations in my outfits. Sometimes I can get stuck wearing the same colour schemes so this really helped me to think outside the box a little bit. If you’re someone who loves neutrals but wants to experiment with wearing colour, perhaps try investing in a pair of colourful trainers.
As far as boots are concerned, the & Other Stories boots in the mood board are a pair I bought in 2021 and they are one of the best purchases I have ever made. They are so versatile: not too high that they’re difficult to walk in or unsuitable for work, but also sophisticated enough that they tie any outfit together. I also love these Sézane Paulette Low Boots which are a similar vibe but different leather.
I bought a pair of Paula Babies at the beginning of Spring, and then felt extremely smug when I saw Selena Gomez wearing a pair. Honestly, Sézane is just a great at shoes, I’ve not had any from there that give me blisters or are hard to walk in, they come in stunning colours - they’re definitely an investment, but if you’re willing to spend then they will be with you for the long haul. Mary-Janes have been my shoe obsession this year, they make every outfit look a bit more feminine. Simple, stylish, wear with dresses or jeans, you really can’t go wrong!
If you made it this far, thank you for reading! I hope it’s made you excited to rummage through your own wardrobe. I’d love to know your favourite pieces and wardrobe essentials, so leave me a comment below 👗
Holy heck those strappy shoes with the short heel are so damn cute! Let me know when your styling business opens up and I'll get in the queue!
I loved this!!!! More More More! Everything is saved and I'm running off to vinted to hunt for these - thank you!