January: the month of exams, essays and bitter cold days, but it’s not all that depressing. If you’re lucky you may have received some money over Christmas from relatives, or maybe your student loan is sitting in the bank waiting for you to spend. Now, what to do with that money? It’s understandable that the first thing you’re going to want to do is rush to Topshop immediately and buy every beautiful thing you set eyes on… but hold on for a second. It’s not all about the most decorative, embroidered, embellished and patterned item of clothing; sometimes you have to go back to basics.
Arguably, basic clothing looks boring and you won’t stand out at all. However, with a bit of careful styling, even the most plain of clothes can look brilliant.
The first item your wardrobe cannot go without is a plain tee. These go a long way, believe me! Firstly, they’re great to wear for exercise (especially good in January if your resolution is to get fit this year). They’re also great if you’re having an I-have-no-idea-what-to-wear kind of day because you can easily throw one on with a pair of skinny jeans, some converse, a leather jacket and you’re good to go. If you have a patterned skirt, bright coloured trousers or embellished shorts then you want something plain so there is no distraction from the main item of clothing…so what do you turn to? A plain tee of course! I currently love an oversized grey tee that I can wear with skinny jeans and patterned scarf during the day. I would pair this with my orange Zara skirt for a cool, night time look.
The second basic item that should be in your wardrobe is a good pair of jeans. Jeans are saviours when you have no idea what to wear; they’re super easy to dress up or down, so there is no excuse to not own a pair. From black skinny jeans to vintage blue rinse boyfriend jeans, there’s a pair to suit every body shape. Jeans are my go-to item, and it’s rare that I go a day without pulling a pair on. I’d recommend checking out H&M for affordable jeans; Topshop for a cool, mid-priced pair and -if you have the money to spend- check out French Connection or J Brand for a well-fitting, long-lasting denim indulgence.
Next, it has to be a knit jumper with no embellishment, no patterns and no motifs scrawled across the front. A plain, cable knit jumper is perfect for layering over shirts and dresses to keep out the cold and put a preppy spin on your look. It’s all about the sizing for this one. If you find yourself wearing leggings and skinny jeans a lot then an oversized jumper is perfect for you, giving a cool, slouchy approach. If you’re more prone to layering then a more fitted jumper may suit you.
Shoes! Every girl loves them. Right now I’m going to say that the one pair of shoes you need in your life is a great pair of trainers. Yes, trainers! Not heels, not boots and certainly not ballet pumps. I love my Converse as they help keep certain looks laid back and casual; they’re also fantastic for nights out as they mean you can dance all night without your feet aching before it evens hits midnight. Roll up your jeans and flash a bit of ankle when wearing your trainers, add a loose checked shirt layered over a plain tee and finish with a statement necklace for an effortlessly cool look.
These are just a few of the basics I would advise investing in before you pick up the hottest pieces from the Spring/Summer collections. There is no doubt that when you come to wear them, you’ll need one of the basic pieces listed above to finish your look. The high-street is full of affordable pieces as well, so there’s no need to break the bank either! You can find patterned scarfs, statement necklaces and jewelled earrings to help accessorise. Happy Shopping!
Image Sources:
3) http://lacooletchic.tumblr.com/post/70185022372
4) http://trendzystreet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/street-style-trainers05.jpg
Helen Kelly