In these weird times where we are all stuck in our homes, we are just using what is more comfortable and have forgotten about dressing up. But whether you are getting tired of lazing around in sweats all day - or, crazy thought, starting to think about returning to normal - I think it is a good time to start thinking about the image we want to show to the world with our clothes!!
Having recently done this myself, I find it so much easier now to look at my wardrobe and know that I have what I need to make outfits and feel good with what I wear, without the anxiety it can often bring. It also helped with my working and living from home ritual as being clear about the essential basics in my wardrobe means it is much easier to get dressed in the morning and not having to re-fold 10 different tops every morning (slight exaggeration but not much!).
To start building your wardrobe we have made a small selection of items to start from so the task does not become too overwhelming. The items are all selected with versatility in mind, so that they can be paired with many other items to create different types of looks and outcomes. The idea is at any point you can put these items on and depending if you want a formal, casual, relaxed, or sharp look you will be able to make it with these clothes.
Let’s have a look at the essentials we have chosen:
# The White T-shirt
This is the wildcard in your wardrobe - you can pair it with almost anything!
This item was used by soldiers as an underwear piece, and to wear it in public was likely to cause a scene, but eventually it became part of the British naval uniform.
Later on, Chanel made it a fast-fashion staple in 1920s, evolving to be a wildcard for any kind of outfit, casual as in the 50’s/60’s with Marlon Brando and James Dean, or like in Miami Vice in the 80’s with a more elegant feel.
So it is up to you how to mix and match it!
Here are some ideas…
# Straight jeans
The history of jeans come from many decades ago, starting as a typical item for industrial workers evolving to being one of the most iconic essentials of todays wardrobe.
It started with Levi Strauss bringing new denim to America in 1853, and influenced many decades of the 20th century from Vogue magazine featuring it on the cover in the 1930’s as a fashion statement for women, James Dean making it casual in the 50’s, or popularised with the counter culture of the 60s/70s through to how we wear it today.
Jeans can be used for casual as well as formal wear, depending what you choose to outfit it with.
Scroll down to see how we edit them!
# Denim shirt
Nothing can beat denim, which is why we have chosen it twice! It is a fabric that started being used for workers because of its durability, but the times evolved and so did the design of denim shirts.
The denim shirt evolved so much that now it is not only a comfy item to use in your weekend wardrobe, it also can be matched with a skirt and sandals to give a more feminine and smart feel.
It is a super versatile piece of clothing that if you don’t have it in your wardrobe yet, now is the time to do so.
Take a look at these outfits!
And for a more smart outfit ...
# The Blazer
This is an item that makes you look smart, but the truth is that this piece of clothing was made in the 1820s to be used as a sports jacket! Although generally used as part of a uniform, particularly in the Navy, it started to become more everyday in the 1950s when British students altered them to make them look more trendy. Then in 1980s movies such as American Gigolo, where Richard Gere wore an Armani blazer, made it look casual yet classy, giving the blazer a new life.
In the 2000s women started using them in colourful ways, using both short and long versions, and even eventually evolving through the years into blazer-dresses.
This item is a key piece of the essential wardrobes in 2020, so don’t be afraid of using it for casual as well as for formal occasions!
These are the essentials for 2020, we will be choosing a few more in the next couple of weeks so stay tuned and start decluttering and identify what’s in your wardrobe!
xx
Vicc