Every woman needs wardrobe essentials, especially for work. These are investment pieces that will carry you through seasons and years of wear – classic, timeless and effortless. Having these pieces in your wardrobe will save you a lot of time when it comes to putting outfits together as they are staple items which can be paired with almost anything, whether that be leopard print, stripes or bright colours.
As a working mum, I rely heavily on my wardrobe essentials and I have had most of my items for many years. I often prepare my outfits for work the night before as I have little time in the mornings once my daughter is awake and up. I will buy and build outfits around my essentials as I know that they are so versatile and easy to wear. However be warned, they are not always cheap. These pieces are meant to last you for many years and so for the most part, they will have a price tag to go with that longevity. You can always pick up bargains in the sales, especially at the end of seasons, but I would honestly say that these pieces are worth every penny. You will get so much wear out of them, they will practically be free when you look at the cost per wear.
So here’s my list of essentials, along with some pictures and links for items that I love and are out at the moment. Do let me know how you get on if you purchase any.
Lisa
xoxo
- The White shirt – Literally a life saver, for many occasions, not just work. I often wear a white shirt with jeans on weekends, underneath sleeveless dresses and with trousers for work. They can generally be found in most stores, but its finding one that is good quality that will make the difference. I have bought so many from Gap in the past but they just don’t hold their shape or colour. I find that the ones from Equipment tend to last, and because they are silk, they feel much nicer on. Definitely worth the investment spend.
- The Cashmere jumper – This is my go to item pretty much every day during winter. It can easily be thrown on over a pair of trousers, a skirt or jeans for when you’re not at work. I usually buy from Chinti and Parker or Equipment but more recently I have been buying them from Boden as they have some fantastic offers on theirs fairly regularly.
- The Little Black Dress (LBD) – Will work wonders in every wardrobe and once you’ve found a good one, you will never throw it away. My go to shop for these is Theory but there are always some really nice ones in places like Whistles, Cos and Hush.
- Black slim fit trousers – By far the most worn item in my work wardrobe. I have quite a few pairs from J Crew, but Gap also have some great ones, as well as Theory.
- Black flats – I could write a whole post on flat shoes (and probably will at some point) as I feel so strongly about buying really good ones. Especially if you’re commuting in them and then wearing them in the office at meetings as well. The key is to keep them simple, comfortable and clean. I have a few pairs of black flats that have lasted me years (I do get them resoled regularly). My favourite are from Chanel (of course!), as they are, hand on heart, the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. Clearly there is a hefty price tag to go with these though. If you’re looking for something mid way, go for the Chloe Ballerina. I have these in a couple of colours as they are so versatile – again can be worn both at work and outside of work. They are so comfortable, and also very classy.
- Boucle Jacket – This is a fabulous piece to dress up any plain outfit, whether that be a black dress, trousers or jeans. As much as I would love a Chanel original, there is no chance of that happening anytime soon without my husband divorcing me for buying it (unless I stumble across one in a vintage store), so my go to place for these is usually Zara. They always have fabulous jackets at really reasonable prices.
- Dress down Friday jeans – Who doesn’t love a dress down Friday? Most people I know will jump at the chance to wear jeans to work so it’s imperative that you have a pair that are smart enough to wear to the office as well as comfortable, especially if you’re sitting down all day. All my jeans are from J Brand and I have had them forever as they are so well made.
The final piece that I would recommend on an essentials list is a statement blouse. Ideally a floral print that will stand the test of time. These are not always around so when you do find one, snap it up and keep it forever as it will undoubtedly come back in fashion for many years to come. The one from & Other Stories below is a favourite of mine at the moment.
