A black blazer
If you can't go past a black blazer from the likes of Camilla & Marc or The Row, rest assured it's always a smart buy. A black jacket can instantly dress up any outfit—simply pair it with jeans and a white tee for a smart-casual look, or throw it over the top of a dress to look like you mean business.
The perfect pair of jeans
As everyone knows, the search for the perfect pair of jeans is long and arduous—so once you find the style that suits you, it’s worth snapping up every available shade. Just think of the cost per wear.
The Breton tee
Channel your inner French girl via a stripe tee—we guarantee it’ll never go out of fashion (and will work with all the pieces in your capsule collection). Simply slick on a red lip to match and you’ll look instantly polished.
A wear-anywhere skirt
If you’ve been stalking that Realisation Par Naomi skirt for the last few weeks, here’s permission to buy it: not only is leopard print never going out of style, neither is the slip silhouette, which transitions easily from day to night.
A cashmere sweater
Blair Waldorf was correct when she called cashmere one of life’s necessities—not only does the fabric feel luxurious, it’s also lightweight enough to layer in any season. Bonus: many of today’s washers will accommodate the delicate material, which means less trips to the dry cleaner.
A leather jacket
Add a little grit to your prettier pieces by styling them with a staple black leather jacket. Perfect for weekend brunch with the girls or a night out on the town, this statement staple will easily become one of the most versatile investments you make.
A statement silk shirt
If you’re an Instagram addict, you’ll have noticed the new cool-girl way to wear a button-down: either paired with ripped Levis (half tucked in) or worn off-the-shoulder with a denim mini. Voilà! Instant chic.
A classic trench
The best thing about a trench is its seasonal versatility—wear it open over a spring dress or buttoned up with a scarf in winter for the ultimate in Audrey-Hepburn level chic. Our pick? The iconic Burberry coat, of course.
Once you’ve mastered these basics, you can easily incorporate cheaper, trend-driven pieces into your wardrobe. Keep in mind however, that each item need to be well-cared for in order to last the distance – so if you’ve lived by the “wash and wear” mantra till now, it’s time to embrace the humble fabric conditioner.
