Style Rules: FashionEnth

A capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to be all neutral. Often, it’s assumed a really functional wardrobe has to be full of the same tones, and while it’s true in my case, what’s more important is that it’s true to your style. If bright colours and prints are what you love, then go with that – if you follow what everyone else is doing, then you’ll end up bored. 

Accessorising is the way to keep neutrals exciting. Jewellery is a given, but you could also try a patterned scarf or a statement shoe. Wearing neutrals also gives you the opportunity to be bolder with your make up – I love a bright lip colour, so don’t be afraid to try something new.  

If I could share one piece of style advice with everyone, it would be to wear what makes you happy. There’s a lot of noise out there about what you ‘should’ be wearing, depending on your skin tone, age or body shape, but everyone looks their best when they feel confident. Given everything that’s going on right now, we should all be dressing in a way that makes us happiest.

It’s so important to take a sustainable approach when shopping. I don’t claim to be a sustainability expert, but it starts with consuming less, so I shop from a few key brands I really like. Sézane is one of my favourites – everything they do is so beautiful and I always feel so good when I wear their clothes. As for the high street, I love Arket and & Other Stories; their staple pieces, like knitwear and shirts, are great quality but at an affordable price. One of my favourite sustainable and ethical brands is Tradlands – it’s based in the US, but I love how size inclusive it is. 

Coats, handbags and shoes are the pieces worth investing in. You wear them the most, so having a good quality selection will elevate your wardrobe. I don’t often splurge on items, but I have some Gucci loafers and a Horsebit 1955 bag that I wear all the time. 

Editing is essential in building a functional wardrobe. It’s important to assess what you have before you add anything else, so go through it thoroughly. This will give you a better idea of what you really like and dislike, putting you in a better place to buy something new. 

Ask yourself three questions before you buy anything. The first is “Can you wear this piece in more than three ways?” Visualise your wardrobe and if you can’t make the item work with your existing pieces, then leave it. The second is “Is this a need or a want?” – it’s important to identify whether something is actually going to fill a gap in your wardrobe or if it’s just satisfying an emotional craving. The final thing to consider is “How is this piece going to benefit and bring value to me?”, which is something to think about when it comes to luxury purchases. If you’re spending a bit more, you’ll probably want to get the use from it for at least the next year or two. I rarely regret my fashion purchases, because I always think about these three  questions before buying anything. 

I don’t have any fixed style icons, but I do find myself looking at Anine Bing, Hailey Bieber and Chrissy Rutherford for inspiration. Anine’s style is so classic, but with a cool twist; Hailey has seriously upped her style game in recent years and always looks so cool, and the way Chrissy dresses is so chic. 

The secret to great style is knowing what works for you. Once you’ve got a feel for that then you’re on a roll. Otherwise, wear whatever you feel good in and don’t care what others think – confidence looks great on anyone.