If I Had To Start A New Wardrobe From Scratch, These Are The Pieces I’d Buy Again
If you had to start your wardrobe again from nothing, what would make the cut? From statement trousers and everyday loafers to a lifelong love affair with silk neckerchiefs, The Handbook’s Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, shares the ultimate capsule edit. Here are the pieces she’d re-buy in a heartbeat if she had to rebuild a new wardrobe from scratch.
1. A well-structured blazer
Few things beat a blazer when you don’t know what to wear, can’t be bothered, or just need to feel instantly pulled together. Ideally, I go for men’s secondhand blazers – I love the strong shoulder and longer cut – and I always check out the menswear section in charity or thrift stores for a genuinely vintage feel. On the high street, COS and & Other Stories do great shapes every season, and if you’re looking to invest a bit more, Anine Bing’s check blazers are 10/10.
2. A fun coat
A statement coat that becomes the whole outfit always makes me feel instantly stylish – and cooler than I actually am. I love going for third-Olsen-twin vibes with vintage silk kimonos, fur-lined patchwork, or a folky velvet jacket.
I love going for third-Olsen-twin vibes with vintage silk kimonos, fur-lined patchwork, or a folky velvet jacket.
3. A sensible coat
Every closet needs a couple of sensible outerwear pieces for balance, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Look for natural wools or cashmere blends – the high street does some brilliant options – or opt for a classic car coat on milder days. Personally, I find the relaxed silhouette a touch cooler and more modern than a standard trench.
4. Statement trousers
The trousers I wear the most are not a pair of perfectly cut black pants or trusty jeans – they are actually statement trousers. Whether made of striped corduroy or silky chartreuse dreams (yes, those Reformation trousers), a pair of less-than-sober pants are surprisingly versatile when dressed down for everyday. I love to throw on a huge, chunky navy knit with bright trousers, or layer up stripes with a tee, a suede shacket, and plenty of neck scarves and jewellery.
5. Some leather and suede
I have always been drawn to tactile, sumptuous fabrics like leather and suede. I love how they feel simultaneously polished and expensive, yet rebellious and cool. I have an oversized ’80s leather jacket that I wear on repeat – I particularly love styling it over a little black dress in the evening – and a Claudie Pierlot suede jacket with Western-inspired trims that has been a weekend go-to for years. Both are pieces I’d buy again in a heartbeat.
I love how leather and suede feels simultaneously polished and expensive, yet rebellious and cool.
6. Jeans that make you feel good
I’m not going to tell you which jean shape is the most flattering because it’s so different for everyone. I will say, however, that there are a few golden rules to finding your perfect pair…
Keep your collection small: you need fewer pairs than you think. If you have three that you absolutely love and feel great in, that is more than enough.
Get the shoes right: check out my guide to pairing shoes with every jean shape here.
Try them on: if you’re buying a new pair, try on as many as possible; the extra effort will be worth it in the long run.
7. Loafers
There is no shoe I reach for more than a pair of loafers. From classic black to leopard print and chunky multicoloured vintage pairs, they are my daily go-to with jeans or tailored trousers. I also love wearing them with a little sock in the summer, paired with a pretty dress.
8. Ankle boots
When the colder weather hits, I love swapping my loafers and ballet flats for a classic ankle boot. But “classic” doesn’t have to mean basic black – zebra or snakeskin prints work just as well to add a point of interest to a simple denim-and-winter-coat outfit. That said, if you are looking for an all-black pair that will never date, Aeyde’s Sofie style is timelessly perfect.
9. An interesting, but practical bag
The old trope that you need a classic everyday bag that goes with everything usually means two things: it needs to be black, and it needs to be boring. I do not subscribe to this idea. A fabulous print or texture, fringe details, or embellishment can work brilliantly for everyday. As long as it fits everything you need, have fun with it – it makes the outfit so much more interesting.
10. One excellent heel that you can dance in
There is nothing worse than heels that leave you in agony – heels that require a taxi to and from dinner, or keep you off the dance floor at a wedding. No thank you. When you find a versatile pair that doesn’t compromise on comfort, cherish them. Look after them, resole them, and treat them like the wardrobe heroes they are. I always look for a pair with a touch of personality – a ruffle, a feather, or a vintage-inspired caged silhouette that I know I’ll wear until my dying day.
11. A charming evening pouch
For evening, I rarely carry a bag that isn’t a play on a vintage pouch. Whether it’s silk and tasselled from Sister Jane, velvet and embroidered from Rixo, or – my personal favourite – a genuine vintage find, these are firm favourites. The opulent details and whimsical shapes feel inherently special for evening, turning a good outfit into something truly great.
The opulent details and whimsical shapes feel inherently special for evening, turning a good outfit into something truly great.
12. Silk shirts and high-neck blouses
If I have a true signature, it’s a silk shirt or a high-neck blouse. I’ve worn both on repeat for years, which makes them feel like an innate extension of my style rather than a passing trend. I love wearing a silk shirt unbuttoned low with delicate, layered jewellery and a silk scarf (another personal hero). For something with a touch more drama, a high-collared blouse tucked into jeans with a tailored blazer and kitten heels is my ultimate formula: instant polish, minimal effort.
13. Neckerchiefs… all the time
It’s not uncommon for people to comment on how often I wear some sort of neckerchief, silk scarf, or cashmere bandana. It’s my thing, and I think it adds something comforting and distinctly “me” to a look. That’s not to say it’s for everyone, but if there is one accessory that you love and can’t stop wearing, lean into it and make it your thing.
15. Simple base layers
As a total magpie, I have a natural aversion to buying things that feel overly sensible – or, well, necessary. But every good wardrobe requires solid foundations. Quality white long-sleeved tees for layering and ultra-fine roll-necks are non-negotiable under shirts in the UK. Not only to keep out the cold, but they create such an effortless, chic silhouette I return to time and time again.
I have a natural aversion to buying things that feel overly sensible – or, well, necessary. But every good wardrobe requires solid foundations.
14. Good quality knitwear
It took me until my thirties to learn that cheap knitwear is a false economy. Buy less, buy better, stick strictly to natural fibres, and treat each piece with care. Future you will thank you.
15. Colour-popping socks
I have such an affinity for a fun sock, and I really believe it can upgrade an outfit with such a nuanced detail. A red sock under black jeans with loafers is always excellent, or a sparkly sock with heels and a dress – just the right level of whimsy.
16. A chunky ring stack
My looks, whether I’m doing the school run or dressing up to the nines, never feel complete without a big, chunky ring stack. I love stacking multiples on top of one another, mixing metals, wearing signet rings, and loving coloured details like tiger’s eye and rich emerald for playful texture.
My looks, whether I’m doing the school run or dressing up to the nines, never feel complete without a big, chunky ring stack.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
