It's inspiration time

So here's the thing.  I don't know if it's that inbetweeny time of year retail wise, this rather random weather we're having, my brain being fried from trying to be Supermum (after a week of school holidays - I appreciate this is rather pathetic) or the onslaught of "NEW TRENDS" that is filling the magazines this month. 

If you ask me, confusion is the name of the current game.

However I have a cunning plan.  I have been inspired.

Ok so admittedly it's not reinventing the wheel by any stretch of the imagination but I think it's something that it's easy to forget and good to be reminded of.

I'm going back to basics.  Having seen this pic of lovely (ok yes, A/W) plain delicious basics on an email the other day. 

The idea is, that if I have lots of plain, classic basics as the basis to my wardrobe, I can then just add in some more on trend items and have the perfect *capsule* (we're talking space capsule admittedly) wardrobe. 

Which obviously lends itself perfectly to the fringed bag from yesterday.... get in there.  No I haven't decided which one but I might have to order the Jerome Dreyfuss one (just to scratch the itch... free delivery at Matches so theoretically it costs me nothing to look...) 

It also is exceptionally timely with regards to not making loads of mistakes buying new season goodies that seem like an amazing idea now but maybe I've gone off come October. (oh lord PLEASE tell me it's not just me who does this?  Things that seem so unique and different when you spend a gazillion pounds on them from Whistles, only to see Primark, New Look etc bring out a version that costs a 50th of what you paid...)

We also have packing for hols - the better the basics, the easier is it to pack.  Fact. 

So what's first up in the quest for the perfect basic wardrobe?  It's got to be the white shirt.  A classic that every woman needs.  To be honest, there are many permutations of the white shirt and so it certainly isn't unfeasible to have at least a couple on your wishlist (don't thank me all at once...) 

Starting with one that I think is just sublime.  I need these for over all my old skinnies.  To bring them bang up to date with a fitted blazer.  All hail the perfect muffin hiding miracle masterpiece.  Thank you Johnny B.

The Boyfriend Shirt in White from Boden £59 - but remember your 20% off with the code AT25 






A softer fabric now with the flowy shirt from Mango.  A different look and actually I don't think the two are interchangeable - they're very different so it's exceptionally easy to justify both.  

Flowy Shirt from Mango £17.99



Having said that, I think the Me+Em ones are the perfect compromise of both.  They have the fitted look (to be fair if you're after something much looser these aren't going to work) but are a softer more fluid fabric (that doesn't need ironing... just throwing that out there...!) 

Double Layer Shirt from Me+Em £88 I am definitely definitely getting one of these for hols.






If you are after looser then a silk shirt would be a good option.  This one from Poetry looks amazing - if you fancy collarless. 

Poetry Pure Silk Shirt in ecru £119




More silk and in ivory, if full on bright white doesn't float your boat at Winser London.  I know it says dry clean but I would so handwash this. 

Winser London Silk £165





The silky look but in viscose in the sale at Jigsaw. 

Jigsaw Pocket Detail Shirt was £79 now £55




A more casual look now with what I term a very non technical term of "creasey".  Hopefully you know what I mean.  A shirt that looks actually better when it's on the lived in side.  This is the sort of shirt that looks as good undone with a breton tee or tank underneath - a sort of summer jacket style.  Throw on a blazer, a utility jacket or any sort of oversized cardigan and you're set to go.

Oversized Chambray Pocket Shirt from Topshop £30




A linen classic that will look much better worn slouchy with a bit of crease to it.  And 20% off at M&S until Sunday with JUL15EM.  Off EVERYTHING.  I am personally going on a beauty blow out before my hols - I'll share my favourite pics with you before the weekend is out. 

M&S Collection Pure Linen Easy to Iron Shirt £28  My friend has this and it looks so so much better than the pic here.


Off piste now (I wouldn't be me if I totally stuck to brief....) and this is NOT what I'm looking for *think simple, think classic, think plain* but apart from that, these are lovely and definitely very useful, if not an exact fit for item number one on the capsule wardrobe.  Details, schmetails.  They're ace for holidays over shorts or any sort of jeans.  Throw on with skinnies and heels for a night out.  Bingo.  I need both.

Notch Neck Lace Panelled Blouse £39.50 from M&S pre 20% off.




And finally - the one I saw in Topshop this week.  The one thing (ok second thing but I'm coming back to that) I saw that I had a serious lust in with. 

Fringe Crinkle Blouse from Topshop £32




So since the other day, I've decided to only wear outfits I LOVE.  I don't care if I'm doing nothing, I am only wearing things I really really like. 

Try it.  Not just outfits that are meh, ok, will do - outfits you LOVE.  I defy you not to feel instantly better. 

I've dragged lots of old favourites out of the wardrobe and it's definitely worked (I will admit that old does, alas, mean last year.... although these skinnies from Next are from about five years ago.  They are absolutely fabulous for about three hours and then verge on boyfriend jeans, they stretch that much.  Pants)