10 HERO PIECES EVERY WARDROBE NEEDS



As a Personal Stylist, I'm regularly asked to help women create 'Capsule Wardrobes' in their quest for a wardrobe that works for them whenever, wherever and whatever.  Key pieces in our wardrobe really form the backbone of our outfits and mean we can create lots more looks and outfits out of items that may have hung their all unworn and unloved for some time.

It is fair to say my own wardrobe is built around these 10 key staples, which I've entitled 'hero pieces for 2014'.  Trust me, follow these and you really won't have a 'what-to-wear' crisis again.


1. OVERSIZED TAILORING

You can't go wrong with a loosely tailored and oversized mid-length blazer or coat.  I guarantee it will work over everything and make just about any outfit look chic.  This blazer version is great for transitional season and was actually a men's find in a thrift store, but who's telling!


OVERSIZED BLAZER - BROOKE'S BROTHERS, THRIFT STORE; LEATHER MINI - KOOKAI; DENIM SHIRT - NORDSTROM RACK; TAN TOTE - ZARA; BOOTIES - BERTIE; SCARF - H&M


2. EVERYDAY LEATHER

Leather or faux leather really has come into its own as a key staple in every wardrobe, think of it as the new denim!  Now is the time to embrace a little leather in your wardrobe, whether in a pair of leggings or a midi skirt and consider it for the workplace, tamed down with a chunky knit and booties.  You'll wonder how you lived without it!


PLAID SHIRT - FOREVER 21; LEATHER MINI, AS BEFORE; LEOPARD HEELS - PRIMARK; CIGARETTE CLUTCH - RIVER ISLAND; NECKLACE - PRIMARK


OVERSIZED BLAZER, AS BEFORE; DENIM SHIRT, AS BEFORE, BOOTIES, AS BEFORE, TOTE, AS BEFORE; RED WAX COATED SKINNIES - ZARA


3. SLOUCHY BASICS

I can't give 'slouchy basics' enough credit for their place in any woman's wardrobe and how hard they work for their spot!  Basics are a key component to successful outfit building and are 90% of the time the area I see missing from client's wardrobes.  A small costing item with a high value ranking in your wardrobe!  Think slouchy tees and slouchy sweaters, half tucked in jeans, pants or skirts and to layer with a any look throughout the year.



V-NECK SLOUCHY SWEATER - ZARA; BASIC TANK - H&M; LEATHER MINI - ZARA; BOOTIES (LEFT) - DUNE; BOOTIES (RIGHT), AS BEFORE; SCARF - PRIMARK


SLOUCHY TEE - PREMONITION DESIGNS; SKINNY JEANS - TARGET; JEWELRY - MICHAEL KORS


4. GREY MARL SWEATER

Not just for off-duty. use this kind of sweater to relax smart tailoring or with jeans and heels for an effortlessly smart casual outfit that screams chic.


GREY SWEATER - MEN'S DEPARTMENT, PRIMARK; SCARF, AS BEFORE; BOYFRIEND JEANS - APT 9; BOOTIES (LEFT), AS BEFORE; LACE-UP HEELS - NEXT




5. SHIRT

Shirts and blouses are forever a staple of any woman's wardrobe.  The key with tailored shirts to look current is to button up to the collar and add a chunky statement necklace.  Key shirts to top your wardrobe up with are: oversized plaid (worn with skinny jeans or leather leggings for feminine effect, not lumberjack appeal!), denim shirt and white shirt.



BLOUSE - MICHAEL KORS; CHUNKY GOLD NECKLACE - PRIMARK


ITEMS, AS BEFORE


6. HEELED COURTS / PUMPS

A classic pair of heeled courts / pumps (no more than 3 inches) add style to any outfit and complete the look perfectly.  Wear with skinnies and a tee, plus a chunky necklace and you've got a stylish outfit in an instant!  Opt for nude or flesh colored for leg-lengthening effect or try a vibrant colored pair to lift any look.  I bagged these nude patent ones from The Rack some time back and they've lived up to their hero piece in my wardrobe for sure!  I am swooning over the Manolo Blahnik bright colored version, a great investment piece for 2014!



HEELED NUDE COURTS - STUART WEITZMAN; JEANS, AS BEFORE




COLORED COURTS / PUMPS - MANOLO BLAHNIKS



7. BOOTIES

Booties are THE staple shoe whatever your age and style.  Perfect for all seasons, great with jeans, shorts, dresses, even work worn in the right way, I recommend getting 2-3 pairs in key neutrals and working them into looks now!  You'll wonder how you survived without them!



BOOTIES - OFFICE; JEANS - J BRAND


8. LEOPARD ACCESSORIES

It's official, leopard is the new neutral and vying to become a true wardrobe classic.  Works for everyone, goes with every color and lifts every outfit - easy wardrobe fix!  If you're just starting out on the leopard or animal print front, opt for a hint in a belt, bag or scarf to just add a hint.  The more daring amongst us will no doubt be seen in faux fur coat versions, decked out from head-tp-toe in an ode to the beautiful cat!



LEOPARD SCARF - ZARA; OVERZIED COAT - WALLIS



HEELED COURTS - TOPSHOP



9. FIGURE FLATTERING JEANS

Every woman owes it to herself to spend the time and money to find the perfect fitting pair of jeans.  This doesn't necessarily mean spending hundreds of pounds or dollars, it really is about the fit and style that works best for you.  Skinnies are still big news, as they work great in boots and with heels and bring denim from day-to-night effortlessly.  Another hit style we've seen in 2013 and set to stay is the boyfriend jean - think slouchier around the leg and hip area, but keep it feminine with a cute roll up at the bottom and always a heel, whether chunky or stiletto.



BOYFRIEND JEANS - APT 9; LACE-UP HEELS, AS BEFORE


10. OVERSIZED SCARF

You really can't have too many scarves in your wardrobe - cheap and easy to throw on with any look and guaranteed to take it from plain and boring to chic and effortless in an instant!  Don't worry about trying it perfectly, wrap it waround the neck throw each side over and go!


SCARF, AS BEFORE; SUEDE BIKER JACKET - MANGO


So if there's one thing you buy to finish off 2013 or to start 2014, make it one of my 10 hero pieces and you're sure to have more than one thing to wear!  Happy 2014 Chiconomistas xoxo

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