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30th January 2017

Fashion Basics Instinct

Fashion - By Alexandra Stedman

Cashmere scarf: £160, Lois Avery. Coat: Gant (old). Cashmere jumper: Gap (old). Leather jeans: £399, Baukjen (buy similar in the Gap sale here).  Bag: £155, Sezane. Trainers: £49.99, Vans. Photographs: Christopher O’Donnell

It’s these cold inbetween winter months where I realise I haven’t actually bought anything new to blog about. So I go back to fashion basics: skinny jeans and grey jumpers on repeat. But it’s a look that is timeless and made me think about those must-have investment pieces…you spend a bit more on them in the beginning but they stand the test of time and last and last.

Leather leggings:

Yes these jeans cost A LOT of money. And I apologise. I worked with Baukjen last year on my edit for their blog (see the post here) and they kindly let me pick something. Of course I went for the leather jeans – not because they were the most expensive item but because they re-issue their leather leggings every season as they are a cult bestseller. These particular ones are more jeans with front pockets, so far more flattering than those flat fronted versions. Gap have a pair in the sale at the moment, too, which are worth checking out.

Grey crew-neck: 

These have become a bit of an obsession of mine. I own a lot but whenever I have a ‘not sure what to wear’ day they save me, every time. This is an old Gap cashmere one which I swear by – it is so soft and never bobbles.

Classic coat:

If there’s one thing I can rely on to stay in fashion, it’s a warm coat. I generally wear navy, grey and leopard and they just go with everything I own. The best ones (Whistles, Gant etc) are expensive originally but still stay chic 5 years on.

Bag: £155, Sezane.

The black leather bag:

A classic, clean cross-body bag will never let you down. This one from Sezane I’ve had for a little while now and love its simplicity.

My go-to stores for Basics are: Gap, Uniqlo, Cos and then at the higher end of the scale: Margaret Howell, Gant, Sezane and J Crew.

So I suppose we spend everyday getting excited by frills, ruffles and ‘newness’, when sometimes the most useful items are already in our wardrobe. I’m definitely finding this after a little bit of a spending cull with the new house. And it’s good to embrace a few of those more classic pieces sometimes and revive them.

Cashmere scarf: £160, Lois Avery. Coat: Gant (old). Cashmere jumper: Gap (old). Leather jeans: £399, Baukjen.  Bag: £155, Sezane. Trainers: £49.99, Vans. 

For more fashion basics, click here.

By Alexandra Stedman

Fashion Editor, Blogger, Realist

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Comments

  1. Sarah says

    30th January 2017 at 7:45 am

    Recently discovered your blog and love it! Can I ask you what size your feet are – I have huge feet and so am always conscious of how they look with outfits. Thanks

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      1st February 2017 at 3:40 am

      Thank you! I’m size UK 6 x

      Reply
  2. Sophie says

    30th January 2017 at 8:44 am

    Thanks for the reminder of the classics, just what I needed in a sea of sales temptations was someone to give me a gentle nudge to actually revisit some of my old favourites from my current wardrobe rather than look to buy something new!
    Sophie x

    http://www.fromchootogoo.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      1st February 2017 at 3:40 am

      It’s always new new new, isn’t it? It’s nice to look into what you already own sometimes!

      Reply
  3. Dorothy says

    30th January 2017 at 12:50 pm

    Hi Quick question regarding the leather pants. I’ve noticed that in the past, some of mine stretch with wear and I suppose body heat, will these? Thanks

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      1st February 2017 at 3:41 am

      Mine are very (perhaps too) tight – but I’ve only worn them a few times. But heard good things on these ones x

      Reply
  4. Shloka says

    30th January 2017 at 4:30 pm

    I love this whole look – leather leggings are an amazing investment because they are always in style and they always look good! Basics always take you far especially when the weather is so horrendous outside!

    x
    Shloka
    http://www.thesilksneaker.com/

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      1st February 2017 at 3:39 am

      Totally agree – we’re on the same wavelength xxx

      Reply
  5. ellie says

    30th January 2017 at 8:49 pm

    That coat is just dreamy!

    http://www.petiteelliee.com

    Reply
  6. cecilie says

    31st January 2017 at 12:05 pm

    So useful reminder to reuse the classic basics, and still it feels (lookes) so updated because of the way you combine colors and the little details: bag held higher, leather pant, blue scarf as opposed to black. And the hair:) Love this post!

    *Cecilie*

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      1st February 2017 at 3:36 am

      You’ve made it sound like I put way more thought into it! 🙂 xxx

      Reply

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