8 Classics For Your Forever Wardrobe

A complete list of things you should own, based on absolutely zero official research, save for my own dedicated immersion into fash for three decades. And sometimes Kate Moss.

Stylish women will tell you: to thine own self be true. Which is all very well if you are already A Stylish Woman. But if Thine Own Self still doesn’t have a cooking clue what a capsule wardrobe actually looks like in real life, then read on.

I’ve written about capsule wardrobes more times than I can count and the only way to really nail these ‘edits’ is to pack for a holiday. If you can pack a good suitcase of clothes that all work together for as long as you need, then you have slain the mythical beast that is The Capsule. And I salute you. And also me – because I have triumphed. Shall we do this?

Promise that this is not more about Madrid. Even though I have not gotten over myself. At all!

1 The Cropped Trouser

I love fashun speak because it works in the singular. You can wear a trouser, it doesn’t have to be trousers, thanks, and it can be denim, so consider this your moment for jeans too. Despite what Kendall Jenner is pedalling around LA right now - she’s sporting a skinny cropped capri style (say it isn’t so) - this is not That Crop . When I mean business, I mean a looser-fitting boyfriend, straight leg or wide-leg number. Something that skims the ankle with a roominess. Why this shape? The silhouette is always good, whether with flat pumps, Birks, heels, sneaks or boots. Truly.

🇿🇦 You’ll find great pants at Hannah Lavery, at Asha Eleven – her core range of monotones has brilliant trousers - and Levi’s new denim collection is so good. There’s a wide-leg, medium rise called the XL Straight that’s coming in HOT.

2 The Blazer

Look at me – I’ve been pushing up the sleeves and ruining my jackets (sorry mom) since 1992, but hey ho. I love a blazer and I insist it is worn with the sleeves pushed up. My first blazer investment back in the 90s was a checked tweed – do I wish I had held onto that little hit of joy? Yes, yes I do. I did not. I’ve since worked my way through every fabric and style and the most useful to you will forever remain a simple, singular black and a heavy white or cream. They work with everything, in every season, layered over shirts or tees, layered under items like trenches and coats. They work for the office, for nights out, for smart, for cas’, with dresses, with pants. And no other style can lay claim to as much workability – not the ubiquitous puffer (shriek), not a cropped jacket, nor a sleeveless one. A kimono or mandarin-collar comes close, but those aren’t great over shirts or jerseys because the collars all fight with one another. Thus, the men’s blazer…. A) Push up the sleeves. B) It has pockets! Always great options to be had, often as easy as Zara.

3 The Striped Knit

It’s impossible to consider a list like this without including a stripey knit. And I make mine a knit because my summer vibes are generally made for more colour that a Breton stripe delivers. In winter, I don’t mind being navy and white and striped all over. Soft, shlubby with the ability to be tucked in or left to lounge, this wardrobe staple is a hard worker. In my case, it is such a hard worker that it must work to the power of three because it is regularly stolen by the punks. This, by the way, is a sign of Major Fashion Rizz. If items get nicked, I yell ‘huzzah’ and make sure I wear them even more often. Adidas falls into this category. More on them later.

The striped knit is easily styled with jeans and trainers, works belted into a pair of cropped trousers, with a blazer for something smarter and, if the punks can be trusted, aces a pair of denim shorts too, which is very Kate Moss circa Glastonbury, but no one works harder than Kate Moss at Glasto.

🇿🇦 My evergreen fave is from Curators Online and for striped knits of the non-Breton variety, run, don’t walk for Romaria Knitwear.

4 The Leopard Print

It’s in my DNA - leopard print is a neutral. Like Kate Moss (yes, name drop), I’ve sported it every which way… As a coat, a pair of joggers, boots, vellies, shirts, leggings, dresses, scarves, my current phone cover… It’s the ultimate accent print. Thanks to Wales Bonner’s scorching hot Adidas collab – their leopard print Sambas were snatched up so fast, they’re quite impossible to find! I know because I tried. Literally stalked someone halfway across Madrid for his footwear. Michael Kors’ entire FROW was leopard clad - the proof you might have needed that leopard is also back on the current fashion radar?

🇿🇦 There’s a leopard maxi skirt at Just Cruizin and New Earth Vellies does a leopard print and gold veldskoen that is just the bomb – plus comfortable beyond! Designer Dionne on Insta has – hands down – the best leopard print joggers… They’re stretchy, fit everyone, boast sporty, go-faster stripes, often with a flash of gold. Is that enough to get you started? I think so! Swoon over Wales Bonner X Adidas in between.

5 The Pop Of Red

Gucci called it Gucci Rosso, I’ll just say: I like red. Always have. There’s always a bang of colour somewhere in my lewk – whether its lips, shoes, a bag, a coat. I am in lust with this season’s red colour blocking, best seen on Megan Fox when she appeared on this seminal episode of Call Her Daddy podcast a week or two ago. Give it a listen or a watch - she busts a lotta Megan myths and is, truly, so audaciously honest and outrageous that you can’t help enjoying the episode to the max. I digress!

Spoiler alert! I wrote about red on my Substack last year - find it here

Red socks and red tights are A Thing this winter and while I will be sporting both with great delight, I don’t mind if you start with something less wild than scarlet tights. A leeeeeetle body bag maybe - 🇿🇦 like those from Jekyll & Hyde… Candy red, small, cross body, leather, local.

6 The Cross Body Bag

Aaaah, yes, the cross-body bag, leaving hands free to snap selfies, apply lippie, tip tap on a laptop, drink a cocktail, smash a burger, dance at a concert. Or hold hands with Ryan Reynolds, thanks Blake, undisputed queen of cross-body.

I spent years with my tiny bag tucked under my armpit, strap firmly looped over shoulder. Then years clutching an oversized envelope. Then again, years with a dinky top handle supporting a voluminous hold-all that fitted neatly into the crook of my arm. I also spent fortunes investing my hard-earned moola into wallets. What the hell did we carry around in those things?

I know! Pics of our children, and sometimes even our significant others, nostalgia in the form of movie ticket stubs, concert tix, the odd baggage tag from a great trip, old till slips, an army of store cards, a little green ID book… actual cash! They were positively enormous. No wonder we needed something bigger than a sliver of a cross-body bag. Well, no more I say! I have a card holder, phone, car keys and lip balm. Everything slips into a skinny cross body leaving me hands free X2 and without the lopsided lumber of The Perpetually Lugging Around A Giant Bag.

🇿🇦 Since local style mavens have had to say goodbye to Missibaba, keep an eye on second-hand; check out Olivia Lincoln – hella cute leather numbers – and for something a bit different and colourful in the best way, Porter. Love them, they’re super cute little shoppers that can be worn with a leather cross-body strap.

7 The Wear-Everywhere Dress

Hear me out – there really is such a thing as The Wear-Everywhere Dress. It’s the kind that can be dressed up or down and works whatever the season. How, how does it do this? Because it’s got some kind of a sleeve, but a billowy one so it’s not too hot in summer and can be pushed up if its long. Its midi length, so it’s good with boots or bare legs. It’s got movement – no one ever considered a body-con dress, a wear-everywhere dress. In fact, I don’t think I have ever seen Liz Hurley in anything remotely wear-everywhere. It’s got an uncomplicated neckline so it can be layered with something underneath or on top. And you can wear necklaces, if you like. Or a scarf. And your boobs aren’t tumbling out either. It’s the kind of dress, Insta dress-lover Daily Dress Edit would feature.

🇿🇦 You can find treasure-forever beauties at Jane Valken – hand printed Indian cottons in the softest, kaleidoscope of colours. Also Good Clothing for something less whimsical, but equally great with a print. Also, Gold Bottom Africa for the most flattering dress on earth – should be trademarked.

PSA This is not a wear-everywhere dress for me – although the punks are quite rightly, obsessed! - but deserves a shout-out in the Wear Everywhere category because it is so spectacularly simple, sexy, major bang for its fashion buck, comfy, easy to pack, the list goes on… Its InSync Intimates low-back, long slip dress. She absolutely nailed it! And I love her whole vibe.

8 The Footwear For RN

If Adidas’ Samba has been dominating your Insta feed and your heart for the past year, you’re not alone. It’s errrr’where, so much so that it’s become a meme… But there’s also a new sheriff in town – Adidas Spezial. Back in ‘79, the Spezial was produced in just a few colour-ways as a handball shoe – a functional sports trainer. And then came 2024 and now even die-hard gold boots wearers – who me?! – have succumbed to the bright colours and clashing stripes. Alas. If you worship at the shrine of retro footwear, you’ve already got a few pairs. For everyone else, go get ‘em!

I have it on good authority, mainly because they keep getting stolen – that old chestnut again - that they are super cool. I will say this: they work with everything and my feet are suuuuper happy. The summer equivalent obvs remains my ever-faithful Birks… I adore the EVA because they have a gazillion Crayola colours to choose. Both of these sensible options are probs entirely off brand for Miss Moss, who I stopped name-checking as I diverged further and further from slinky slips, cigarette trousers and pirate boots. But she remains the muse to rule them all.

Of course, the main thing to remember is that the very moment I get home, I immediately push off my shoes, rip off all my accessories and divest myself of my bra. Because there are only so many stylish hours in this life. And I’m certain even Kate Moss would agree.

Last bit of bonus love... Blake and the best reason for a bag that requires no hands - Ryan Reynolds!