BASICS

"Elegance is the only beauty that never fades"

- Audrey Hepburn

Style is personal. Its not about following the crowd and giving in to trends; its about wearing what you want to wear. What you feel comfortable in, and what makes you feel proud to model that outfit. Google defines style as 'a distinctive appearance', yet if we're always only buying what's hot that season, then do any of us really have style? Trends are clever things: we'll buy a £40 blouse from Topshop just because of its particular pattern or style, yet you'll only wear it 3 times before you notice that every other person in the country also owns it. Take the camouflage jacket trend of A/W12, thousands of girls (admittedly myself included) spent masses of money on jackets that stuck around for the best part of a month- not even a full season. Before they literally became a social joke.
Ridiculous amounts of money are wasted by people giving in to trends. We look straight to the statement pieces that are fresh on the shelves, not even contemplating that they probably won't last until next month.

There's always that rare occasion when you actually fall in love with a trend. Unlike other times when you've just made purchases because you think they're 'trendy', every now and then you will actually discover a trend that you fall head over heels for. This, unfortunately, can only end badly. For instance, at the end of last season I happen to have become fully obsessed with gridded prints, *sigh*. Yet, heartbreakingly, it hasn't taken long for pieces to multiply and others to grasp a hold of the trend. Meaning that I could either have given in to temptation, or sat back to watch as my new favourite print found itself a place in the wardrobe of every teenager in the country.

Finding less well known places to shop are what it's all about- charity shops, independent retailers- the quirkier the better. However, when we're just not in the mood for dramatic wardrobe selections and would prefer to make less of a statement, we can still avoid trend hopping by opting for some of the most elegant of looks: the timeless classics.

Basics are often the most glamorous of garments. Although they may not be as current or on trend as you'd like, you'd be surprised by how sophisticated you can appear by simply sticking to the classics.
Basics are like best friends: you'll have disagreements, but they're always there for you when you're in need. I strongly believe that every woman's wardrobe should play home to at least one of the following:

• The Little Black Dress...

Renown for its inventor- Chanel herself- the little black dress was designed specifically for those crisis days, when no matter how hard you try to coordinate, your brain helpfully decides to forget all possible outfit combinations. This dress can be whatever you want it to be: a day dress; a going out dress; an effortless rescuer, suitable for almost any occasion. Dress it up, dress it down; this dress should have you feeling incredible, whilst flattering you in all the right places. It's the friend above all others; the one that you will always rely on to make you look, and feel, completely untouchable.

• High Waisted Black Skinny Jeans

If you do not own a pair of black jeans then you are truly missing out. Just like the dress, these can be either dressed up or dressed down- it'll be an extremely rare occasion that you bump into me not wearing black jeans. Not only are they the easiest things in the world to style, but they are also allow the slimming effect- boosting confidence all over the country.

• An Oversized Shirt

Shirts are so easy to throw on over the top of an outfit, especially if you're not particularly proud of your attire that day. A relaxed shirt will conceal most of what you're wearing; becoming a chic, yet effortless saviour.

• Comfortable Boots

Unlike trainers, boots add an implication of class to an outfit. Trainers can be the comfiest of footwear, however boots bring both the comfort and the style. Key traits to any winter essential. 

• A Statement Coat

With winter just around the corner- and suffering from uninspiring British weather- the time of the coat is nearly upon us. If you're going to become a collector of anything, make your obsession coats and jackets. During winter months (the majority of our year) we will be reaching for a coat almost everyday; so by all means make it a good one! Just like an oversized shirt, this coat will be pretty much all people get to see of your outfit- so it doesn't really matter what you wear underneath it. You achieve good outerwear and you will have achieved a good outfit.