The Style Story: The staples every wardrobe needs

With a decade’s experience as a buyer for a big womenswear brand, Cambridge stylist and personal shopper Nerys Copping understands fashion’s power to make us not only look good, but feel good too. In her first column for Velvet, she talks wardrobe staples

A wardrobe staple is a versatile, classic piece in your wardrobe that doesn’t go out of style. They are the basic foundation items of any well-curated closet. These pieces aren’t the same for everyone, so you can select the ones right for you - that make you feel happy and confident - to build your capsule wardrobe. These items don’t have to be expensive, but often it’s an item that won’t date, so you may wish to invest in these. There are staples in clothing, footwear and accessories - here I have highlighted five hero pieces of clothing.

The Classic White Crew Neck T-Shirt: A white crew neck T-shirt is a hardworking style that goes with everything from tailored trousers to jeans or skirts and is important for layering in every season. It serves as a blank canvas that complements both bold and subtle colours, as well as patterns, without overwhelming the overall look. Find the cut that suits your lifestyle and buy a couple so you always have one available. Aim for a nice weight of jersey and if you can find a Pima cotton one in your cut then that’s a bonus. Pima cotton is a higher quality and is longer lasting. The other consideration is the colour, which seems odd, but there are cool tones, optic whites and also more creamy white options to choose from.

The Blazer: This is a versatile piece that will enable you to dress up an otherwise casual outfit or give a polished, styled finish to a more formal outfit. A slightly relaxed fit, but still trim cut, in a black or a navy, is ideal. A single-breasted style is flattering on most body shapes, so look out for these. Blazers also add definition to your shoulders and waist enhancing your figure.

The Denim Jean: A classic straight-leg jean, in a mid-blue wash, has remained popular across decades. From the ‘50s to today, they’ve been a staple in denim fashion, making them a timeless choice that doesn’t go out of style and will also suit most body shapes. Jeans can take time to find, but have patience as the perfect fit for you does exist. Some shops may call these a slim leg or a Mum jean; the fit balances the proportions of the body, making it a great option for those who want an elongated silhouette. The cut provides enough room to move comfortably without looking oversized or too tight.

The Tailored Trouser: Having a great wide-leg trouser in your wardrobe is the perfect alternative to a denim jean. Enabling you to create lots of different outfits for various occasions, it can be worn with knitwear and trainers for a casual look or a blouse and heels for a formal one. Don’t be afraid to have the length altered by a seamstress - this is a quick and easy alteration and will mean you have the perfect-fitting trouser.

The Wool Coat: There is a list of key outerwear pieces for every wardrobe; however, if you are going to invest in just one, then the classic wool coat is a must. This piece will elevate any outfit and make you instantly feel chic and polished.

Find out more about Nerys and the services she offers by emailing nerys@thestylestory.co.uk, visiting thestylestory.co.uk and following @neryscopping on Instagram.