The Basics Capsule Edit (#008)

curating a well rounded wardrobe/GREAT basics

Happy New Year! Kicking off 2024 with a new capsule, this time, focused on the basics. And before you get any ideas, the items I’m referring to in this capsule aren’t specific pieces. They’re more conceptual; they fill a particular need. They’re flexible, interchangeable, and should be items you cherry-pick as this is really the foundation and backbone of any hard-working wardrobe.

And, that’s the aim right? To be selective, buy things we love and cherish, and reach for on repeat. The best way to do this, is to find items that serve a purpose. That perfect intersection of form and function, which will look different for everyone based on your taste, preferences, and lifestyle. No neutrals necessary (though, mine mostly are because that’s a large part of my own style preferences).

The items I’ve picked out aren’t specifically seasonal, though there are a couple (like a coat or sandals) which are an easy swap if you wanted to use this as a winter or summer appropriate guide. And again as with any capsule, these picks are scaleable. What this means is that you can amp up or tone down the formality level - something that’d be guided by your lifestyle/extra-curriculars.

Tackling this edit slightly different to my other capsules, there’s a full ten clothing pieces. Shoes are an add-on and you’ll see from the styling/outfits that I just went with two options (adding in a pair of boots would have given me even more variety).

Whether you’re new here, or have been following along with each and every capsule I’ve shared, a huge thank you. For spending some of your month with me, reading my posts, and hopefully getting some inspiration that translates to your own wardrobe and outfits. Eternally grateful!

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the ten items

A sleeveless or short-sleeved top | The core summer piece. If you’re building a wardrobe of stereotypical basics, then this will look either like a ribbed tank or loose fitting tee (plain or printed). But, it could also be something with some shape. Drama. Ruffles. Cut outs. Bonus points if you can layer with it. Pictured: Ganni
Alternatives (priced low to high): Glassons | H&M | Aritzia | DISSH | Isabel Marant | Cecilie Bahnsen

A long-sleeved top | The Francophile in me went with the obvious choice, a classic breton stripe. You could go with a slim fitting cotton or merino base layer. A minimal button down. An avant garde blouse. Whatever the style and purpose, it’ll look good with all your bottoms. Pictured: Assembly Label
Alternatives (priced low to high): Aritzia | COS | DISSH | GAP | Tibi

The everyday sweater | Love a slouchy knit over here in a crew neck. Yours could be a roll neck, a polo, cardigan, coatigan. Something cosy, which feels wearable for every day. Highly recommend opting for natural fibres here for longevity. Basics like this that you’re wearing on high rotation will last a lot longer that way (just remember, wardrobe maintenance is a thing). Pictured: Jenni Kayne
Alternatives (priced low to high): Quince | Arket | Everlane | & Other Stories | VINCE | & Daughter

A great pair of shorts | A beach vibe would call for a denim short, more of a modest wardrobe would find a Bermuda well placed. My go-to is a tailored style. Something that has a level of refinement to it but is easy to wear. Reason being that I want to feel equal parts chic and comfortable when I’m in my summer clothing and these kind of do it all. Pictured: SIR. the Label
Alternatives (priced low to high): MANGO | Faithfull the Brand| H&M | Everlane | Interior

The perfect pants | One of the items in your wardrobe that currently may be informed by trends - style-wise. You’ll have the most success with a cut and colour that you find works across all aspects of your life - work, play, weekend. Pictured: The Frankie Shop
Alternatives (priced low to high): Aritzia | Everlane | Facade Pattern | Reformation | Cefinn

A beautiful skirt | Options, options, options. Mini, midi or maxi? Cotton, linen, tencel, silk (or something else)? A silk slip will forever be in my own personal starter kit because it’s highly packable (perfect for travel) and also easily dressed up or now. Plus being cut on the bias, I find it’s universally flattering too. Pictured: Quince
Alternatives (priced low to high): MANGO | DISSH | Paris Georgia | COS | Tibi

Denim that makes you feel AMAZING | Where your pants might feel like you’ve put in effort, this is going to be your casual choice. You could go cropped, full length, sailor style, skinny, straight or wide. Creamy white, acid wash, vintage bleached, mid-blue or black. Mine are a wide leg sailor style with a super high rise - chosen because they make my legs look a mile long. Pictured: Kowtow
Alternatives (priced low to high): The Fated | Arket | & Other Stories | Levi’s | Reformation

A cute dress | For some, this might be an item you omit. Maybe it’s a special occasion piece only. Also, a reminder that your pieces don’t need to be neutrals. I think the surprising thing about this dress is that it can be transformed in more ways than you think. And being a “mini”, technically also works as a top too. Pictured: Karen Walker (around 13 yrs old now - THIS is stunning though!)
Alternatives (priced low to high): Glassons | DISSH | Faithfull the Brand | Henne | Sezane

The “third” piece or mid-weight jacket | Having a bit of a moment with the oversized bomber jacket over here, but other options that you could choose? A denim jacket, a shacket (in wool, denim, or thick cotton), cropped trench, blazer, knitted jacket or leather jacket. All serve that same purpose; layering piece, reflective of your personal style that often makes an outfit feel “done”. Pictured: TheOpen YY
Alternatives (priced low to high): Pull&Bear | MANGO | Sezane | Quince | Arket | Raey

A quality coat | One area in the wardrobe that I would never scrimp on - despite living in a mild climate - is a good coat. Wool/cashmere blends are probably going to feel the most luxurious, but colder locales may call for a full length down jacket or at the very least, a heavyweight wool with thick lining. During winter your coat becomes the outfit and most people really only have one or two. So, go with a style that you really (and I mean really) love. Pictured: The Curated
Alternatives (priced low to high): Quince | Mohan | Aritzia | COS | Esse Studios

the outfits

style notes

You can get a closer peek at the items I used to accessorise here - but not at all exhaustive. Shoes and bags have outfit transforming properties which I think are often overlooked, but consider “wrong shoe theory” or the “sandwich rule”. For shoes I went with two basic options: YSL black slide sandals & About Arianne ballet flats. The bag added in an element of texture and shine through the mock croc leather; it’s Sezane for those wondering. And a belt is another great staple to have and you only need one. Andersons make my favourite, but I hear this is also great (and under $100 - also available here).

Some of the ways you can transform your outfits?

1. Tucked vs untucked. Slightly more refined vs more casual. Effortful vs effortless. Also a way to play with proportions and hem lengths

2. How are we layering? What pieces can we use to add extra flourish to the outfit? A chunky long-sleeved knit is low-key one of the best pieces to have as it’s a layering piece (literally), but also, thrown casually over the shoulders. Knotted at the chest. Tight knot at the neck worn to the side like a caped scarf. Cross the body pageant style. At the waist, centred or off-kilter - over or under a third piece. Can we put a skirt under our dress to switch up the hemline? Outside the box thinking like this tends to result in the most interesting outfits.

3. Base tops which add visual interest. That long sleeved striped tee poking out of the ends of your sweater looks like an add-on cuff. Fun and playful, it’s just taking note of how your layers play into the styling.

4. Consider proportions. To borrow from Tibi, a great way to think about this is the concept of “Big, Slim, Skin”. To the point, and an excellent problem-solving tool if you feel like your outfit looks unbalanced. Essentially, there should be a mix of all three components. This ties into that rule of thirds, and what our eye naturally rests on. Doesn’t have to be exaggerated either. How we style our hair, the shoes we’ve chosen, how we’ve revealed skin (bare legs/tights, pushing the sleeves up on our tops etc).

And to cap things off, I wanted to show a couple variations on the shoes I chose. Sandals - I went with slim, but you can imagine how a chunky option with wide crossover straps would look. Mood-changing. And, we have a couple of variations on the flat shoe. Ballet slippers, sneakers, loafers. Three solid options varying in formality level and an example of how to scale up or scale down depending on your lifestyle.