The Basics Capsule Edit (#019)

not your standard laundry list of staples 👀

Happy New Year! I hope that your start to 2025 has been a good one so far. I didn’t have a chance to send the last letter for 2024 that I had planned (coming soon), so taking the opportunity now to express my gratitude for all the feedback, subscribes, messages, and just time you’ve spent reading my newsletter over the past year. Without getting too sappy, I’m incredibly thankful, and I hope you come away from these monthly ten item edits feeling a sense of renewal, energised, and excited to play around in your own wardrobes (styling > shopping after all!).

To kick off the new year, again we’re going to focus on basics for year round foundational pieces. These don’t have to be simple. As always, we focus on the context around what role these items perform in your closet. For one person, the item might look like a traditional “basic”, for another, the style might be printed or a more avant garde cut.

One size doesn’t fit all; and it’s why you’ll never be 100% happy with a homogenous wardrobe built on a laundry list of items you’re “supposed” to have. Asking instead, ‘how does this serve me?’ (full letter on this here), thinking about function and how this applies to your style is a better guiding measure for wardrobe curation (because no two closets will look the same!).

No neutrals required, though they can be good foundation items to have, punctuated by considered shots of colour (a good approach for the colour averse who want to try branching out!). Also any and all of these items are scalable. You can dial up or dial down the formality level to suit you.

In addition to the ten items I’ve chosen for this basics capsule, I’ve included four pairs of shoes for styling (one for each season), and one classic bag which could be worn year round - details at the end.

And if you’d like more context around what this might look like, you can take a peek at the 2024 basics capsule here.

Before we get into the capsule, if you have enjoyed receiving my letters and want to support my work, you might like to consider upgrading to paid to get access to the full archive plus all addendums; the monthly plan works out to $1.25 per week (less than the price of a coffee!). If you’re just here for the monthly capsules, they will always be accessible for all subscribers. You can review subscription options via the button below.

the ten items

A sleeveless or short-sleeved top | The summer-weight piece that can easily be layered to see you through the transitional seasons. For a stereotypical capsule or pared down wardrobe, this might look like a t-shirt or some sort of singlet/sleeveless tank. But maybe you like a bit of drama to your silhouettes. There are no limitations here! Pictured: Madewell
Alternatives: Henne | Ganni | Posse | COS | Marant Etoile | Sezane

A long-sleeved top | In 2024 I went for the French classic here, a Breton stripe top. This year, going equally as traditional with a button down shirt, but giving it personality through the oversized silhouette and tomato red hue. Other options could be a slim fitting long sleeve, maybe even a lace blouse. The one thing to consider is how it will pair with all the bottoms you’ve selected. Pictured: AERE Label
Alternatives: Arket | Tibi | Sezane | Hommegirls | Reformation

The everyday sweater | Cardigans or coatigans are the more versatile choice, but you can’t go wrong with a classic crew. The key quality to seek out is something that is wearable. It shouldn’t feel precious. Natural fibres are going to be the best option from a longevity standpoint (just make sure you have a great wool comb on hand!). Pictured: Quince (US shipping only - I use mail forwarding to buy)
Alternatives: Madewell | Jenni Kayne | COS | Loulou de Saison | Lisa Yang

Shorts you feel great in | Consider the mood of your capsule and how this ties back to your existing wardrobe. Denim shorts can swing more beachy, whereas a Bermuda might feel more suited for a city trekker. Is it relaxed? Tailored? I’ve been liking a bit more length through the leg, so let that guide my pick for this edit. Pictured: Sportscraft
Alternatives: Henne | H&M | Everlane | Country Road | SIR the Label | Madewell

Well fitting trousers | A deep dive into my own style evolution over the past (almost) two decades reminds me that we are so lucky to have a plethora of trouser options at our fingertips these days. The criteria is that they fit well, and make you feel a million bucks. Cropped, full length, skinny or wide, this is that tailored pant option which will make even a simple t-shirt and trouser combination feel elevated. Pictured: DISSH
Alternatives: Joslin | & Other Stories | Quince | Tibi | Facade Pattern | The Frankie Shop

The “all occasions” skirt | The piece you dress up and dress down, and with a few styling swaps can wear year round. Block colours (for any item) tend to universally feel more versatile, but something in a stunning brocade would also be a fun styling option here. Pictured: Arket
Alternatives: Reformation | Sezane | Anna Quan | Atmos&Here | Posse

Your favourite jeans | We all have that pair of jeans that we just love. The ones that you reach for nine times out of time. Those. They look phenomenal on you. Work with everything you style them with. And are so good you’re tempted to buy them in every wash. Could be a straight, skinny, sailor, barrel leg, straight, full length or cropped. As someone with two young kids I went with the impractical choice - a white jean - but as I’ve said before and will say again, just wear the clothes. Pictured: Khaite
Alternatives: Henne | Rollas | COS | AGOLDE | H&M | Re/Done

The little-brilliant-dress | Maybe you’re not a dress wearer, so you swap this out for another top. Maybe dresses are items you reserve for special occasions only. Or maybe, you have a “tunic” length dress like me with buttons down the side for increased versatility. You’ll note I often favour a mini dress for its ability to be dressed up and down simply by the shoe choice, but also because it acts as a brilliant layering piece when worn with trousers, shorts or longer skirts. Pictured: ONTE
Alternatives: DISSH | Anna Quan | Henne | SIR. the label | Country Road

A mid-weight jacket | The transitional season layer that you can just throw on with everything. Proportions come into play here as you want the cut to work back with the other items you’d selected, so what this looks like (crop, mid-length or longline) will vary based on multiple factors. The way I decided was to consider my proportions (longer torso + shorter legs for my 172cm height), and how it would layer with my other 9 items. Including many high rise items meant I could have sprung for something cropped (great with a mini dress, too!), though it gives versatility as with a tuck you can easily define the waist if you’re trying to visually lengthen the legs. At the end of the day, your eye will settle on what you like best. Some examples of what this could look like? A leather jacket, a bomber, a knitted coatigan, a trench coat (cropped or full length), a shacket, or perhaps you live somewhere more tropical so a shirt would suffice here. Pictured: Sezane
Alternatives: UNIQLO | Madewell | COS | J.Crew | Vik&Woods | Quince (US)

An excellent coat | A point worth repeating, is that coats are one of those items that I will never scrimp on. Growing up in Wellington, it wasn’t uncommon to spot me still wearing a coat in summer, so 100% wool was always it, plus a style that truly felt quite special to me. It’s getting harder to find 100% wool/natural fibre coats at a reasonable price point (many have polyester or nylon blended for structure, to soften wool, or to make the fabric more robust). But, pre-loved is always a great place to look, or I recommend shopping out of season to take advantage of any sale discounts. Personally I’m always one for a wool and cashmere blend as it feels incredibly luxurious, but if you live somewhere exceptionally cold you might seek out a chic down jacket instead. During the winter, your coat can become the outfit, it’s a high frequency item so it makes sense that more of the wardrobe budget is allocated here. Pictured: Fabrique (ToJamie12 for 12% off)
Alternatives: Arket | Everlane | Sezane | The Curated | Vik&Woods | Ava Molli | Aritzia

the outfits

(watch in video format above! 🥰)

style notes

A few parting notes to think about (or you can keep scrolling for some chat about the accessories I included)…

1. Have I exhausted all the ways I can wear this? At the end of the day, I think we all want to become besties with the items we have in our wardrobes. You can spend a lot on an item, but if you aren’t spending the time in your closet, figuring out the ways you do - and equally don’t - like to wear it, it’ll end up serving the same fate as everything else you own. It’ll just become “stuff”. We don’t buy expensive ingredients and expect our food will taste good if we don’t know how to cook with it. We can’t expect to try a new hobby and excel if we don’t spend time practising. What we have in our wardrobe is a little like that. The more time you spend in it, the closer you’ll get to understanding your items (the same way you become besties with your gal/guy friends).

2. You don’t need a whole new outfit. Ever have that feeling where you put something on, and it feels “off”? I think there’s this immediate impulse to remove everything, rather than workshopping what you have on. Take a moment. What don’t you like? And can you reconcile this with what you do like? Usually a simple accessory change, styling flourish or changing one other key piece will do the trick!

3. Go back to basics. We don’t need to re-invent the wheel with every outfit. Your favourite outfits may actually end up being the simplest combinations. I know I’ll never feel as good as I do when wearing a simple black tank/tee and trouser combo. Lean in on those outfits hard. And just wear what you love (again, and again, and again).

4. Create a style uniform. I came across an article years ago (which I’ve not been able to find again, since), which posited that the reason why French editors always look so chic is that they set themselves 7 key style uniforms each season. They’ll repeat looks, or rotate items, but the formulas remain the same. Centred around the style and the silhouette that these formulas create. I shared a YT video on this a few months ago which you can watch here if you want more context.

5. Be guided by a colour palette. As much as I hate to sound like a broken record, this is the number one tool for curating a cohesive wardrobe that is truly versatile. It doesn’t mean that there can’t be outliers. What fun would that be if the rules were so strict? But sticking to a general palette for the majority of your items will make dressing daily a breeze (and simplify packing for travel!).

Never underestimate the impact of a pair of shoes on your outfit. Truly transformative. They can be the piece that makes or breaks your outfit. Perhaps they add in an awkward visual break. Maybe they lean in on wrong shoe theory for that personal touch. Or, they could be the piece that dials up or dials down your outfit depending on the formality level. An outfit is the sum of all its parts after all.

I included four pairs of shoes as styling companions for this edit. The “summer” style was an easy sandal (in this case a pair of leather flip flops from Madewell). For “spring”, a low heeled closed toe sandal in gold from Bared which could also double as a fancy shoe option. For “autumn”, a low heeled ballerina from Aeyde with an unusually high vamp - slightly awkward in its way. And finally a classic black boot from Reike Nen as my “winter” shoe, in a high gloss to add in a tactile quality to the outfits.

I didn’t go heavy on the pairing pieces for this capsule as what’s realistic, is that we grab what we need and dash out the door. Extra flourishes are for days when we have the time (which is probably not always!).

For the bag, one of my favourite buys of the year from the Oroton Outlet. This could be used as a pouch, a shoulder bag or a crossbody as it comes with a couple of different strap options.

I also included one pair of sunglasses which I love the shape of (these from Vieux), a super cosy oversized ribbed cashmere wrap (this one from Quince - US only shipping), and a leather belt with some interesting hardware in an easy neutral (this belt is Madewell - I’m wearing size S).

And that wraps up this capsule edit! Thank you so much for reading this one, and wishing you a year of joy, happiness, and fulfilment xx