How to Build the Ultimate, Staple-Filled Wardrobe for the Office During Chilly Months  

You have only to log on to Pinterest and Tumblr to be presented with the dreamy sights of fashionistas perfectly-curated wardrobes – and find yourself saying, “How do they do it?” Everything flows, the color palette is to die for, and everything just looks fresh and on-trend. It doesn’t quite compare to the everyday girl’s wardrobe of worn classics, mishmashed fad pieces, styles from yesteryear and the odd bit of fancy dress thrown in here and there. These wardrobes are slick, refined and on point. So how do we get ourselves one of these?

The key is to invest in staple items: try and steer away from “trend-led” pieces and stick to garments that will see you through season on season. Sure, the 70’s trend was fun…but will you still be wearing these items next summer? Probably not, but if you do want to invest in trends, try and select garments in muted tones; they will likely stick around for longer.

Here are the top items to invest in for a perfectly Pinterest wardrobe:

Basic Tee’s
Not only are they super-comfy, but you can never have enough of them. Invest in quality basics, as these will last longer and look much better than cheaper alternatives. Stock up on them in staple shades including black, white, grey and navy. Try a few different styles to mix it up a bit – i.e. a range of oversized and fitted, plus different neck styles, including classic scoop and V-neck.

Shopping Destinations: Rag & Bone, APC, Gap, Velvet

A Roll-Neck
Roll-necks are not only a winter must-have but a great staple item for layering as well. Your wardrobe should always be well-stocked with these.  Again, opt for muted tones so that you can easily mix and match with the rest of your wardrobe. A camel-colored roll-neck is always a great staple, and looks fantastic with a black or grey coat.

Shopping Destinations: Joseph, COS, Banana Republic

A Breton (Stripped) Top
Every wardrobe should have at least one Breton top, because stripes never go out of style! The Breton top is a versatile piece and can be worn with anything from jeans to tailored trousers and a pair of denim cut-offs in the summer. Black and white is always a winning combo, but navy is a safe bet too.

Shopping Destinations: Boden, Petit Bateau, Claudie Pierlot

Quality Knits
Knitwear is undoubtedly an essential, especially if you live in an area with harsh winters! Neutrals are the best bet with a few tones of grey and cream to build up your collection. Invest in real wool and cashmere rather than synthetic materials for a longer-lasting, higher quality knit. It’s always a good idea to wait for the sales to pick up higher-priced items at a discount – after all, knitwear never goes out of style, so it’s a worthy investment.

Shopping Destinations: Acne Studios, Vince, J.Crew

A Cape / Drape Jacket
Capes are a great multi-use item, full of casual flair: use them as a jacket, an oversized scarf or purely for outfit decoration. They’re a really versatile piece and a total must-have if you do a fair amount of traveling, as they can also double-up as a great inflight blanket too! The cape hit the big time over the past year with the famous Burberry monogrammed cape.  For now we can only dream — it’s likely out of many shoppers’ price range — but luckily, also turn to Asos for something similar!

Shopping Destinations: Revolve Clothing, Madeleine Thomspon, Burberry, ASOS

Tailored Trousers
A good-fitting pair of trousers should be high up on any staple wardrobe list. If you find that you live in your favorite pair of jeans, why not try and mix it up, and opt for a well-fitted trouser instead? I’ve always tried to stick to having a few black pairs, as well as a grey pair and cream pair for summertime. That way I can team them with most of the other items in my wardrobe. They give a smarter look, but I also love tailored trousers teamed with a sneakers or mocs for some off-duty chic panache.

Shopping Destinations: Reiss, Whistles

Thick-Framed Glasses
I love Emily Ratajkowski’s casual style, which is always topped off by a pair of circular, thick-rimmed glasses. I really think they give a nice finish to her ‘’look” — and even if you don’t need a pair of prescription lenses, you can still pull this off! Most eyewear retailers let you purchase your frames with a clear lens. They look great with a pair of boyfriend jeans, white tee and Converses.

Shopping Destinations: Miki Moko, Warby Parker

A Crisp White Shirt
A wardrobe is never complete without a white shirt! The perfect layering item, for putting under knits, or simply to wear on its own with a pair of skinny jeans and ankle boots. There are endless outfit possibilities with a white shirt; you can even wear it unbuttoned as a beach cover up. If you don’t own one, then you definitely need to!

Shopping Destinations: Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger

Overall, the key to building up the perfect staple wardrobe is to focus on your basics – i.e. necessity  items, and then try to invest a little extra into these. Opt for colors that are easy to match with other attire, especially any “trend-led” pieces (so think black, grey, navy and nudes). The point is, think of all this garb as comprising your building-blocks! You’ll have a Pinterest-perfect wardrobe in no time.