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Fashion staples: Buy now, wear forever

There are some things in your wardrobe that you can wear forever.

There are some things in your wardrobe that you can wear forever.

And no, we’re not talking about doing the guy thing where you just don’t change your wardrobe until your clothes are falling apart at the seams. We’re talking about making sartorial choices that are so timeless, they look good no matter what season — and year. Here are some of our favourites.

WHITE SHIRT

So simple, yet so essential, the white shirt is the foundation of any wardrobe. It’s also the most multi-functional item, taking you from work to play with just the quick unfastening of a couple of buttons. It doesn’t matter what style (fitted, boyfriend, etc) or even what fabric (from silk to heavy cotton), simply go with whatever suits your personal style best.

BALLET PUMPS

Gamine in shoe form, the ballet pump has never really gone away. The style has defied trends, fads and the onslaught of the increasingly vertiginous heel. How? They’re simple, classic and elegant — the latter being a quality hard to come by in many a flat shoe. They are as fitting with a full midi skirt as they are with a pair of ankle-cropped jeans or a mini skirt, and they are comfortable to boot. In a dream world, we’d go with Chanel’s classic toe-capped, ‘CC’-adorned pair, a stalwart product of the French fashion house; but a close second is French Sole’s multifarious offerings, our favourite being the low-cut “India” style.

CASHMERE CREW NECK

Sure, cashmere mightn’t figure in a tropical climate, but hey, don’t we all travel to cooler climes? If you have only one jumper in your wardrobe, make it a cashmere crew neck. The style is a failsafe staple that goes with everything, and you’ll find yourself coming back to it year after year — simple really doesn’t go out of style. Keep colours classic, opting for go-with — everything grey, black, navy and camel. It’s essential that you care for it though, cashmere is expensive but it can be a lifelong friend if you treat it well.

LEATHER JACKET

It’s not just the wardrobe of choice for Harley bikers. A leather jacket will see you through all four seasons, whether its layered under a wool overcoat during the chilly months, or draped over your shoulders in the summer. Loved for its ability to toughen up pretty dresses, dress down full-length pieces and give any outfit an edge, it’s worth investing in classic biker styles by the likes of Acne and Saint Laurent. The high street is catching up though, and you’ll find plenty of cheaper alternatives — just make sure you go for real leather and it will last a lifetime.

BRETON STRIPE TOP

We have Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel to thank for the popularity of the Breton striped top, or mariniere as it is traditionally called. The white and navy-striped style was originally worn by all French navy seamen in Brittany following the 1858 Act of France, but was later adopted more generally by working seamen in the region as the design made them easier to spot when out at sea. Chanel took to the style after holidaying on the French coast and made it a part of her nautical 1917 collection, where it was styled with wide-leg trousers. It has since become a symbol of Parisian chic that has never gone out of fashion, its iconic status further cemented by wearers including Brigitte Bardot, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Pablo Picasso and Audrey Hepburn.

DARK-WASH JEANS

Jeans are the foundation to most of our wardrobes, and a simple way to stop yours dating is to opt for dark-wash denim. Where stonewashed, ripped and coloured denim go in and out of fashion season to season, dark denim is much more enduring, whatever cut you prefer for your shape.

BROGUES

Year after year, you’ll doubtless find yourself addressed with the same footwear dilemma as the seasons change. One shoe that will do its very hardest to banish such a trifle is the brogue. The classic lace-up shoe is a true go-with-all, whether it’s jeans, tailored trousers, tights or bare legs, like Diane Kruger above. Sturdy, smart and practical, a good quality pair will serve you well.

TUXEDO JACKET

Ever since Yves Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking rocked the world in 1966, the tuxedo has been a recurrent trend in women’s fashion. One of the most influential and iconic designs in history, while the look as a whole still maintains its allure, the jacket alone has become a breakaway hero item that works just as well as part of the total look as it does worn over an evening dress or paired with denim.

TAILORED TROUSERS

A pair of simple, straight-leg tailored trousers with front pleats is a great alternative to jeans, and a staple piece to have in your wardrobe. Wonderfully, they go with every top, but allow you to look smarter for those days when you’ve got a meeting. A pair of heels add a touch of elegance to your evening look, especially when paired with a tuxedo jacket. A slightly cropped ankle makes the style most flattering.

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