Unlock your style in 14 days: Build your wardrobe on basics

It’s Day 3 of the Styling You Holiday Style Camp.

I’m here to help you unlock your style – not in a scream-at-you-bootcamp kind of way – more in a gently-nudge-you-in-your-own-direction kind of way.

Now, if you could just come a little closer.

That’s better.

Want to know the secret to always having something to wear?

Basics.

I know, seems a bit beige and boring doesn’t it?

But stick with me here.

It’s taken me a long time to realise that a lack of basics was seriously holding me – and my wardrobe – back.

I’d have all these lovely show pony pieces (more on the show ponies tomorrow) winking at me and shouting, “wear me”, “wear me”, and I’d have to reject them for lack of a suitable basic piece to serve as an outfit mate or outfit helper.

Now, as long as I have these 10 basics nailed, those show ponies can wink as much as they’d like. They know I’m good for it.

1. Bras that fit. It doesn’t matter what size you’ve got going on, a decent bra will do all kinds of wonderful to the way you put yourself and an outfit together. I’ve learned in the last couple of years that it’s not just my bosie size that needs accommodating, it’s the shape of them that needs attention. That was a big lightbulb moment during a professional fitting. When was the last time you had a proper fitting? If it’s more than a year, then get thee to a professional ASAP. You will not waste dollars on dodgy bras ever again. Pictured

2. Shapewear. No, I don’t pull myself into sucker-in-ers every day of the week but if you have the essentials sitting in your drawer then there is no barrier to wearing that dress or top that refuses to hide even the smallest lumps and bumps. Oh, and lose the stigma about shapewear. Yes, a Bridget Jones nana pants moment is the risk you take but hey it’s worth it for the smooth line. Any Hollywood celeb worth their red carpet pose is working those Spanx. I’d keep a slip, a girdle/top and a full pair of knickers on hand as your shapewear collection starting point. Pictured

3. Stretchy camis. Sussan, Country Road, Witchery, Basque (Myer) stock them. I own and have owned them all. In recent years t-shirts seemed to have got thinner and more flimsy in design, coinciding with my own design NOT getting thinner and more flimsy. Having these in every neutral and a few seasonal colours means that you can layer a top or tee over the top and have your shape show through … in a good, semi-controlled kind of way. Pictured

4. Plain tees. Show pony tops are great. But what about when you really just need something to work with jeans and a jacket so you can show off that stunning new necklace or scarf. I always have at least two tees in black, white and grey that I can call on to be a blank canvas for my accessory collection. Quality is important. And as soon as they start to show signs of wear, ditch them. Pictured

5. Slip dresses. These are to light cotton frocks what stretchy camis are to light tops. They enable layering (which is always an outfit enhancer) but like in this outfit here, they can also add length to a shorter dress. In fact, they will open up a whole wardrobe of opportunities that you thought you couldn’t do. I wear mine under sheer kaftans and under beach dresses all summer long. I prefer a cotton or bamboo fabric mix as in hot weather this keeps me from sweating where no woman should sweat. Pictured

6. Jeans that fit. This is a big one. It took me so long to find a cut of jeans that really works for my shape: curvy, but wide, flat butt and ok thighs. For me the answer is NYDJ … and now I have almost every colour. For you, it’s worth putting in the effort to find the cut/brand that works for you. Once you’ve nailed it, all the tops in your wardrobe suddenly have a mate. Wardrobe life is sweet. Pictured

7. A Little Black Dress. I know it’s very Chanel of me but HELLO … Coco really did know a thing or two about wardrobe essentials. If you have a dress-up/dress-down LBD in your wardrobe you are always good to go for any event. Just add accessories, hold your fashionable head high reach for a champers. Pictured

8. Jackets. Jackets are the wardrobe work horses that make me look polished. Every. Single. Time. Since doing this work-from-home-gig, they have become the one item I reach for should I need to take my coast casual outfit on a city excursion. In one easy move I can take a jeans and tee or frock and lift it so my metropolitan fashion sisters are none the wiser to my lazy-beach-girl ways. Pictured

9. Nude and black shoes. No matter whether you’re a flats or heels girl … or, like me, all of the above and in between, these are your go-to neutral shoe colours. Nude is the hero shoe colour as it works with everything – including black – and extends the length of your legs. Pictured and pictured

10. Winter coat or trench.  Whether you need one of these or what warmth you’ll need from a winter coat or trench will depend on where you live. (Even here in Queensland, if I go out at night in winter, it can be in near-freezing conditions.) Choose a classic style that will go the wardrobe distance. Pictured

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Style work

Look at the list above. Do you have these basics nailed? Any other basics your wardrobe just can’t live without?

1. Make a list of which basics you need to buy.
2. Make a list of which basics you own but could do with an update.
3. Keep that list handy. You’ll need it when we go shopping.

PS. I’m loving how everyone is letting me know they’re on the Unlock Your Style in 14 Days train. Received some lovely photos of tidied wardrobes yesterday. If you’d like to share any of your Unlock Your Style photos with me, please Tweet or upload to Instagram with the hashtag #unlockyourstyle. My Instagram and Twitter handles are both @stylingyou – you can also upload a photo with your comment or direct to my Facebook page.

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** The Styling You Holiday Style Camp {Unlock Your Style in 14 Days} is based on the Styling You Manifesto. If you don’t have your own, you can download it here. I’ll also be giving away a proper printed Styling You Manifesto from The Smile Collective every day to the reader who catches my eye with their comments and participation.

Unlock Your Style in 14 Days (Day 2 manifesto winner): Karen Mortimer, Karen could you please email me your postal address: nikki@stylingyou.com.au