Here is a list of 30 essential items every women is recommended
to have in her wardrobe to see her through the Christmas season, according to today’s Times.
The mascara and LBD are at the top of my list – plus some stilettos instead of the recommended conventional court shoes which I find dull and unflattering.
What catches your eye here? Do you have a few recommendations to add? I would suggest a soft cashmere scarf and some large, stylish sunglasses, I wear mine all year round. And the beret sounds fun, but I won’t lose any sleep if I don’t get round to buying a wide patent belt.
No. 17 is a must though – thanks Bridget Jones for making them fashionable – if we want to indulge over the festive season! But strictly for our eyes only….
1. A clutch bag
Perfect for the party season and beyond. Go for colour to brighten up that staple LBD. For chic pursue Anya Hindmarch, for something individual Wilbur and Gussie, while high street vintage sections are the best bet for something totally unique.
2. Jewellery box
Why have pretty things if you have nothing pretty to store them in? A staple for any belle boudoir, these can range from the inexpensive to the luxury. Simple mirrored versions from Laura Ashley kill two birds with one stone, while Thomas Lyte has a luxurious yellow lacquer version.
3. Leather gloves
Ok, you may love your furry wool versions, but come bobbles, holes and snow stains, they just won’t do. Leather gloves will last – and look sophisticated. Choose a bright colour to add sparkle to winter outfits.
4. Wide patent belt
Take your cue from Yves Saint Laurent (as the high street have). Wide belts can transform an outfit – number one they give you a waist. Aldo has great patent versions in black, cherry and plum for £25. It’s a cinch.
5. A good pair of tailored trousers
We always say it, and because it’s true. These will last you through every season. This year go for something a little high waisted and wide to keep up with the trends. And the added bonus is the look best with flats. Look to Margaret Howell, Sara Berman and Topshop for guidance.
6. Volumising mascara
Always keep in your handbag – you don’t know when you’ll need it in an eyelash crisis. Lancome never fails to plump and elongate, while Chanel and YSL offer a great array of colours.
7. Silk camisole
Not only does this feel great on the skin, but these solve many a wardrobe crisis. Perfect for slipping under a wrap dress or cardigan or even wearing in bed at night, when you fancy something smooth and soft that doesn’t snore and hog the duvet. Look to Coast for some sensual options.
8. A vintage brooch
One of the most inexpensive ways to liven up any outfit. Pick one up from a market or your granny’s jewellery box and add to coats, knitwear, and skirts if you’re feeling fashionably adventurous.
9. Silk slippers
Wherever it is on your body it feels nice. But on your feet it’s just that bit more decadent. Holistic Silk (the name says it all) has some particularly special versions in beautiful orient-inspired embroidery.
10. An umbrella
Not just any old umbrella, no. Take your cue from Mary Poppins for length and style – if not colour: you can do so much better than black. Floral prints, rainbow stripes or pagoda style from the V&A museum shop, this is an accessory and an ornament in one.
11. A beret
The hat of the season, it’s a misnomer that the beret is just for the French. Wear one in white, navy or black and pull it back on the head for the English touch. Best accessorised with long loose locks. Comptoir de Cotonniers will supply all your millinery needs.
12. Little Black Dress
Number one on the list if must-haves, no matter how hard the crazy trends try they just can’t knock this one off the top spot. Whether it’s Audrey style shifts or floaty empire lines this is the quick wardrobe fix that can never be beat. Stockists: everywhere.
13. Large cocktail ring
Decadent, especially if you choose one the size of a gobstopper, and in a colour inspired by the name. Ruby red, azure blue, emerald green – just like your favourite coctktails. Ritz Fine Jewellery has the most glittering examples.
14. A sequin bolero
When a lumpy coat just won’t do for the evening, something sparkly lifts a dress into the glamour stratosphere. From French Connection to Alberta Ferretti this is the key to glimmering your way through a party.
15. A diamond ring
Even if you’re not engaged, is there anything better to wear on your finger? For those with a conscinece, go ethical with conflict free diamonds from EC One. Every diamond they sell is warranted by their suppliers to be ‘free from conflict’ (www.econe.co.uk)
16. Plain cashmere jumper
Thanks to those lovely people at Marks and Spencer and Uniqlo, the trend for cheap cashmere has spread far and wide. Ditch the itch and snuggle up in smooth cashmere comfort.
17. Pair of support knickers
They aren’t pretty but support knickers will be your best friend, especially during these festive months. Spanx offer industrial support, or go down the celebrity route with Trinny and Susannah’s Original Magic Knickers.
18. One plunge bra/one seamless bra
Bras, like breasts, come in all shapes and sizes. The two most useful are a seamless one that won’t show under T-shirts and a plunge when you’re after something more a bit more Va Va Voom. Figleaves.com sells every style going.
19. Flat black boots
Leaves, black ice and rain are not conducive with 6-inch heels. But you can take flat boots anywhere. Biker and riding boots are timeless and long lasting. Or for something different, Duo has stylish boots to fit every calf size.
20. Simple court shoes
The Queen has her fair share of sensible court shoes, probably because something with a small heel and capacious toe will be your saviour at the end of a long day. LK Bennett is an expert in classic courts.
21. A statement necklace
There is nothing more satisfying than sprucing up a simple T-shirt with something fabulous in the necklace department. Freedom at Topshop has plenty to offer, but if you’re willing to invest visit astleyclarke.com
22. Jeans
If you ask Victoria Beckham, a woman can never have enough pairs of jeans. We think two is a good starting point. Something dark and slim is perfect for after dark, and a pair with some give is perfect for long weekend walks. Selfridges has a room dedicated to jeans.
23. Kirby grips
Very small but very useful, Kirby grips will keep your hair in place and have been known to hold together a gaping top or keep a rough hem in place. Find them at Boots and all good chemists.
24. Red nail varnish
A flash of red on well-manicured nails can make even jeans and a sweatshirt look glamourous. Pillar box suits most complexions, but you’ll need a steady hand. Essie has the biggest range of colours.
25. A blazer
Forget school uniforms, the blazer has become a wardrobe staple that will add a masculine touch to pretty dresses. Roll up the sleeves for a worn in 80s feel. Balenciaga has the best fitting ones in town, but you’ll need a second mortgage.
26. Winter coat
If you are going to invest in one item this winter, make it a coat. Not only will it keep arctic winds out, but get a good coat and you can hide all number of old tatters underneath and no one will know. Marks and Spencer have lots of good ones, as do Joseph and All Saints.
27. Simple swimwear
Whether you are a bikini or swimsuit kind of girl, you’ll need something well fitting for holidays or lengths in the local pool. Speedo is great the sporty among us, others should try Eres or Zimmerman.
28. A good hair dryer
There is a reason why your hair always looks amazing when you’ve just stepped out of the sa-lon and it has as much to do with the hairdressers’ skill as it does their hairdryer. Daniel Hersheson Pro Hairdryer is the most powerful on the market.
29. Silk underwear/nightwear
The importance of investing in underwear that makes you feel sexy and goddess-like should not be underestimated. Agent Provocateur certainly gets full marks for sex appeal, whereas La Perla is all about ultimate luxury.
30. A crisp white shirt
Katherine Hepburn made shirts look sexy in an understated, nonplussed type of way. If she was shopping today, she’d head straight to Gap, where they have a selection of loose-ish styles that leave something to the imagination.
Ellee, it’s a great list…
but the LBD should be #1 and the crisp white shirt #2!
Image consultant, you should know about all this, of course. The LBD is definitely a must, best worn with a huge smile and heaps of mascara.
I love leather gloves, btw. I definitely have a selection of those in my wardrobe.
ohh dear don’t think i have any of those things
Sally, you have some jeans and a white shirt, from memory. And you also have a lovely little black tunic for massage, that must count for something. But I agree, it’s not the typical walkers’ wardrobe.
Every girl/woman I know seems to have hair straighteners – maybe you can add that to the list.
Not me John. 😉
The only things I possess out of that lot are jeans and a volumising mascara. Says a lot about my dress sense!!!
Flowerpot, don’t worry, jeans and voluminising mascara will take you to lots of places. I bet you look great in them.
1, 4 and 11 er… NO.
19 not black, everyone has black, make them brown, tan or claret maybe? . Oh, you are buying a new wardrobe for the season? Then sod off you smug bitch, what are doing looking for tips on the internet? Just give some shop assistant your credit card!
8. You don’t have to go vintage when there are some fantastic independant jewellers making incredible stuff. There’s on in Kent that carves animals like dragons and lepoards out of solid silver or gold. I bought my mother a dragonfly made of silver and jet and the same jeweller will make the broach out of platinum and opal – imagine the irridescence of blue/white opal on the wings of a dragonfly broach. My sister has a beautiful vintage newt in emerald and silver so look at vintae stuff but buy what you like, don’t restrict your style options.
4. If you’re over 40 be careful of patent and leather – look at the result on you, don’t overdo it or imagine that some fashion of the season will look good regardless of the age/size/shape of the wearer. I saw a woman over 40 recently wearing leather trousers and though she was thin she had a flat saggy bum and looked like mutton dressed as lamb. Don’t try to look young or expensive, look fabulous and comfortable. Remember: it’s difficult to smile if you’re unsure of yourself or in pain, I’m not suggesting you wear sweats and tartan slippers but it is worth remembering that the most attractive thing you can ever wear.. is a smile 🙂
Pip, you would make a great saleswoman, you have the gift of the gab! I agree with you about brown, it’s one of my favourite colours at the moment, but I still can’t resist the LBD. I do find that wearing red is always a head turner though.
A great list indeed. I wrote a piece on how the French would dress a woman and there are similarities.
I like the idea of a berret.
They forgot to list a nice little Mummy Claus outfit with red high heels and a cute bobble hat.
Ho ho ho !
Further to Philipa’s
I like it when a woman tries – even if she gets it wrong. So go ahead – if leather troos or an over-tight skirt takes your fancy I say do it. Just be sure to act confidently “Ok – it’s not right, but whaddaheck are you going to do abaart it !” that sort of thing.
Though one year at school sports day a mother entered the grown-ups race in an ultra tight and ultra short mini dress. She could barely fit into it and I admit it wasn’t a pretty sight. As she waddled past presenting her lemon peel arse one of the parents in the crowd shouted “Oh my God ! Think of the children !”
Good advice here for every woman.
Recommendations:
1) Only wear stilletos if you know how to wlak in them. Nothing more painful than watching a young (or not so young) lady wearing ‘stylish’ stilletos, and walking as if barefoot on hard pebbles
2) Don’t wear sun glasses no matter how ‘cool’ unless it is actually sunny – and never wear them in the dark.
Silk underwear I love.
No I’m not a cross-dresser. I just love the way it feels, and the way it slips off.
But ‘patent’ belts thick ot thin,
Too plasticky, too kitsch, too retro, too seventies, too japanese? – yuk
If you need a ‘whatsit’ to hold it all in, wear the real thing – lol!
It’s not what you wear, but how you wear it that counts. I have just returned from my friend’s art preview evening and only just noticed that I did not have the buttons of my blouse done up correctly, that I had missed one out and it was undone at breast level, exposing cleavage and bra. Too late to worry about it now.
“think of the children!” LOL Kev and Q9 too “walking as if barefoot on hard pebbles hee hee; get gel inserts for dancing and yes don’t wear shades in the dark – it’s never cool to fall over, LOL!!
Ellee – so true, if you expose your bosom no-one looks at the clothes you are wearing! LOL!
I agree with the LBD, I’m sure people are sick of seeing mine. I wore it to a debate and slouched in my chair as time wore on till I realised my dress hadn’t slouched with me and most of my legs were visible like some old-fashioned folding ruler. Oops! I wore a black skirt and white shirt to see the uber fab Christopher Hitchens, sadly I looked like a waitress :-/
Great list, Ellee. I’ll forego only the Kirby grips! I’d add, of course, bright red lippy.
Oh dear, I’m missing quite a few of those, but frankly I think I’ll be just fine for my lifestyle. Love the red shoes.
Ellee, what about a little “packet of something” to put in the clutch bag? Or would that be too runcible, even for an Ellee?
Every woman??
This one doesn’t seem to think so.
http://fleshisgrass.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/i-have-a-new-balaclava/
Hi Ellee, great list…I would go for 2, 6 and 7..A lovely mirrored jewellery box would fit very nicely into my bedroom.
Chanel has always been one of the top designers around since I was a kid. I love their new stuff, as well as the old. I would love to get my hands on a vintage chanel purse!