I'm a fashion editor and these are the only 14 things I'm adding to my wardrobe for 2024
Suddenly feeling that urge to freshen up your wardrobe? We all like to think we're spontaneous and unpredictable, but as soon as a new year rolls around we inevitably get that itch for a bit of a spring clean. And there's nowhere more satisfying to start than your closet.
Did you know that on average women wear just 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time? While you might express shock when hearing that stat, when you think about your own dressing habits most of you can probably, sadly, believe that it's true.
Most of us are guilty of it. We have closets bursting full of clothes that we bought with every good intention, every specific occasion in mind, but for one reason or another - often our fear of stepping outside of our comfort zone in real life as opposed to confidently shopping online - they never get worn.
But do you ever think about the journey that that specific piece has been on prior to its destination at the back of your wardrobe?
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With more and more awful truths about the industry's ethical and sustainable failures being exposed every day, it's time to really confront this issue of waste. One way of doing so, and perhaps the simplest, is to make sure that when you're shopping you're really investing in timeless pieces that you'll never grow tired of. Pieces you'll happily wear over and over again. In other words, it's time to jump on the 'capsule wardrobe' bandwagon.
Less cringey than it sounds, the concept really just refers to having clothes in your wardrobe that you actually wear and not having *any* that you don't. It is, essentially, what a regular wardrobe should be, but we've misused them to such an extent that we now have to add the prefix.
So how to transition yours from the current mass of fabric to a tight edit of pieces you'll wear and re-wear constantly?
There are really only a handful of things that every wardrobe needs. And we'll give you, let's say, 20-30 free slots to fill with all the (re-wearable!) extras - such as t-shirts, party dresses, and skirts - that your heart desires.
Scroll down to read up on the only 14 staple pieces our Fashion Editor is buying that'll remain go-tos for years to come...
For more from Glamour UK's Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather
THE COAT
Fringed Wool-Blend Jacket, £810, Totême
A good, cosy coat is an indisputable wardrobe staple - particularly when you live in the UK - and they don't come much better than this fringed iteration by Totême. It's been a hero of the brand's for a while now, so you know it's a certified timeless buy.
THE TRENCH
Neutral Trench Coat, £89.99, Mango
If you don't already own a trench coat then you're about to make your most life-changing purchase. Perfect atop a thick knit in winter, a shirt in the office or simple slip in summer, they're one of the the most hard-working pieces in any wardrobe.
THE BLAZER
Oversized Blazer, £324.17, The Frankie Shop
If you've ever been for dinner and frozen whilst waiting for your cab in a slip dress or a vest and jeans then it's time to welcome an oversized blazer into your life. It'll prove invaluable for (approx.) 99% of your 2024 looks.
THE KNIT
Whipstitched Knit, £480, Totême
Tops are rarely seasonless, but one super useful transitional buy in this arena is a classic knit. A high-neck will never go out of style, and tones that can be both dressed up and down are the best way to ensure maximum wear.
THE SHIRT
Striped Cotton Shirt, £85, With Nothing Underneath
Shirting will always be a wardrobe staple, but few are more timeless and more wearable than the classic striped iterations. Just as chic worn with jeans as they are a trouser suit, a charcoal tracksuit bottom or even open atop swimwear on the beach, they're rarely not a good idea.
THE JEAN
This is an obvious one. Jeans will forever be a wardrobe staple, with only the shape and depth of colour forever varying in-line with trends. A gently wide-leg shape in a mid-wash will never not be a classic.
THE LBD
Asymmetric Dress, £1,310, Mugler
There's something about a little black dress that defies pretty much all fashion ‘rules’. Appropriate - dressed up or down - for all manner of occasions, they're one of those pieces you can wear and re-wear for years without ever growing tired. Go for one with some subtly brilliant design detailing, like this asymmetry. That way it'll always stand out without you ever growing tired of it.
THE BIG BAG
Cotton-Canvas Tote, £450, JW Anderson
Oversized, practical bags are back in a big way, and there are few more tempting than one of JW's cotton-canvas totes. Perfect for stuffing full of all those non-essential essentials (read: 5 lip balms and 4 half-empty packs of chewing gum), it'll make carting your laptop to and from the office every day a far more enjoyable experience.
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THE EVENING BAG
Black Mini Chain Pouch, £690, Victoria Beckham
It doesn't take much to make me fall for a bag, but when I tell you I am utterly besotted with Victoria Beckham's Chain Pouch I'm not exaggerating. The perfect balance of timeless simplicity with elevated design details within the statement hardware, it's one of those pieces that you'll reach for time and time again regardless of the occasion.
THE STATEMENT DAY BAG
Mini Puzzle Bag, £1,750, Loewe
Disclaimer: Bags, I admit, are the one arena I struggle to condense - but there will always be one mini bag that I'll return to time-and-time-again. The Puzzle shape is proving to be utterly timeless, and this punchy colourway keeps it feeling contemporary and truly seals the deal.
THE JEWELLERY
Silver jewellery is having a real moment right now, but there's something about yellow gold that I can't let go of. So why not mix? Whether you're into slimline pieces or bolder ones, stock up on just a handful that you can wear every day for the foreseeable.
THE BOOT
Black Ankle Boots, £109.99, Mango
Cowboy boots may have been huge over recent seasons, but it's slimmer, more elegant styles that stand the test of time. Make sure you pick a pair that are ankle height, slightly pointed at the toe and with a mid-height heel, and you'll be wearing these forever.
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THE TRAINER
530 Trainers, £95, New Balance
No matter how put-together you are, everyone finds themselves falling for the allure of a comfy trainer every now and then. Plump for one in neutral tones, and one that's chunkier than a plimsoll but slimmer and more timeless than a trending Dad trainer, to ensure it really stands the test of time.
THE SANDAL
Slingback Sandals, £480, Totême
While they may be having a huge moment right now, mid-heel, strappy sandals have been popular for decades, and sit just as happily beneath a slip as they do a jean. Opt for blacks, browns or neutrals for true timelessness.
