2 Cool Founders Talk Style Rules, Favourite Brands & Affordable Luxury
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Vanessa: My wardrobe is quite classic. I try not to get too into trends. I do love shoulders though... Shoulders have been having a moment for a while. Also, what's trending now is simple, classic style – like an oversized shirt and baggy tailored trousers. That is so in line with my own aesthetic and always has been.
Alli: I prefer to invest in a few really great pieces. At Bessette, sustainability is so important to us – it’s not about overspending so there are lots of things in your wardrobe you don't need.
Vanessa: Trends can be a fun way to freshen up your wardrobe, as long as you approach them thoughtfully. When I’ve done wardrobe cleanses in the past, I noticed that a lot of the pieces I got rid of were trend-driven items. The pieces that have truly lasted are the ones I bought because I loved them – and because they felt true to my style. Right now, I’m really into layering. Whether it’s a jumper over the shoulders or with Uniqlo Heattech. Claire Waight Keller’s line of Heattech for Uniqlo contains cashmere – it’s so warm and soft. I have the roll-necks in every single colour.
Alli: Navy is definitely having a moment – we have quite a few navy suits coming to Bessette. We have one from TOTEME and one from By Malene Birger. Also, Bite Studios – which is a new brand for us as well.
Vanessa: My everyday formula is a pair of baggy jeans, specifically the Agolde Low Slung—they’re my favourites; I have them in multiple different washes. A t-shirt, blazer and a pair of loafers is all you need to complete the look. It all comes together in five minutes.
Alli: I would say right now, in London, it's a big baggy sweater, maybe some silk trousers, and The Row’s zip-up boots. I wear them almost every day. I add a bag, some earrings… That’s it.
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Vanessa: If I get stuck in a style rut, I always go back and reference someone whose style I admire. For example, I think Lisa Ing Marinelli has the best eye. She puts things together in such an interesting way. Whether it’s a blazer in a similar shape or a jumper I know I already own, I’ll save the post and see how I can work that into my own looks.
Alli: For me, the power of personal style is as simple as finding that one piece in your wardrobe that you love and feel comfortable wearing. Then, spend some time seeing how many ways you can wear it.
Vanessa: If you want to add interest to a look, the power lies in the accessories. A cool pair of earrings or a triangle scarf can be transformative, and such an easy way to elevate a look.
Alli: TOTEME does accessories so well. For jewellery, LIÉ STUDIO and Heaven Mayhem are great. Even a pair of glasses or sunglasses can also really elevate an outfit.
Vanessa: I try to balance it out too. For example, if I'm wearing baggier trousers and something that's slightly boxier on top, then I know I need a heeled boot. It elongates you a little bit more. If you're going baggier on the bottom, do something a bit slimmer on the top. If you're going baggier on the top, maybe something like straight-leg trousers or leggings.
Alli: I'm 5'3", so I'm quite short. If I'm wearing something that's quite baggy, I also try to balance it with something a little bit more form-fitting. I think it's the Olsen rule, whereby if you wear something that's boxy, you should always show your wrists because that gives you a little more balance – even if the whole thing is completely oversized.
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Vanessa: The one piece in my wardrobe I turn to time and again is a long black maxi slip skirt from ARKET, which is just a really nice shape. It's such a beautiful, heavyweight silk, and I’ll wear it with a t-shirt and sandals in the summer. Jumpers in winter. You can also dress it up with a blazer or a nice blouse and heels for the evening. I always take it on holiday with me because it's such an easy piece to style.
Alli: For me, a white shirt is something I always come back to – especially this Marni one as it has a little bit of a fun detail. Something like interesting stitching on the sides can really spruce up an average white shirt. I’d wear it with a skirt, with a sweater over it… I just think you can do a million things with a white shirt.
Vanessa: Even if you’re building a capsule wardrobe full of basics, you should try to keep things interesting. There’s this false narrative about capsule wardrobes which seems to involve getting the most basic pieces and then just piling them all together. Find those basic pieces that you can style a million different ways and then have fun with them.
Alli: For example, if you want a black skirt, then there’s a fabulous black skirt from By Malene Birger with fringing detail, or one from Róhe that has a cross button and a raw edge.
Vanessa: I’m definitely more of a flat shoes person, especially in London. Loafers are my go-to. My black Saint Laurent loafers have earned their cost per wear – I wear them almost every day. I also have the suede trainers from Dries Van Noten.
Alli: I know they’re not for everyone, but I do love my Margiela Tabi boots. I also love The Row loafers, and the Miu Miu ones. Shoes are something both of us are a bit more willing to properly invest in because you’re going to wear them so often. The Row zipped boots are so comfortable, and they give me a whole extra inch. In the summer, I just like a simple pair of Ancient Greek Sandals flip-flops.
Vanessa: My tip for looking chic on a budget is tailoring. If something fits you well, it will instantly look more expensive. If it’s a suit, take it to the tailor. With luxury brands, it’s often the fabric composition, the way it’s stitched, and the way it fits that make it look expensive.
Alli: Mine is to iron your clothing. If you show up in a wrinkled £200 t-shirt, it's not going to look like you spent that kind of money. Accessorising is also a great way to look more expensive. You can get great earrings from COS or H&M. They don’t have to be expensive to make an outfit look like it is.
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Vanessa: There are a few high-street stores that offer that luxury look for less. I have a pair of COS wide-leg wool trousers and the quality of the fabric is really nice, plus I love the fit. Of course, everyone loves their cashmere jumpers. The COS one looks like it could be from The Row.
Alli: COS, in particular, does jewellery so well. All the pieces I've bought from there have lasted a very long time. The same goes for belts. Massimo Dutti does bags and shoes brilliantly. They tend to be very elevated in terms of design and good quality.
Vanessa: My skin’s really sensitive, so I need to be careful with knitwear – I tend to buy only cashmere. I have one of those little Philips shavers and I use that to keep any bobbling at bay.
Alli: Uniqlo does a great cashmere basic sweater. COS has that stunning chunky one, and at Bessette, we also have some amazing pieces from By Malene Birger and TOTEME, which are great.
Vanessa: When it comes to evening wear, a slip dress and a blazer always look super chic. That's what I feel comfortable in and what I tend to lean towards.
Alli: I think mixing textures is always nice for night-time. If you have a great leather piece, like a skirt, pairing it with a cotton top always makes for a really good outfit combination. And jewellery – that can make an outfit evening-appropriate in seconds.
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