My Winter Capsule Wardrobe Wishlist

It’s that time of year where we wonder if it’s socially acceptable to go to bed at 8pm or if we can eat a Pret Christmas Lunch Sandwich at least once a day for the next 36 days. To answer that conundrum: yes and yes. It’s also the time of year where we start to realise that our thin autumnal trench coats just aren’t going to cut it anymore. You’ve instead got to dig out your thermal layers and upgrade to the full winter wardrobe that won’t leave you shaking like a leaf on the train platform every morning.

Now my winter capsule content has come round a little earlier this year because I’m going to be away for the majority of December. I mean, not sure if I’ve mentioned our honeymoon at all? But I’m now at the point where I quite literally DON’T SHUT UP ABOUT IT. No Christmas Day family politics for me this year. WE’RE ON HONEYMOON! No tree for us this year. WE’RE ON HONEYMOON! Apologies in advance for being so insufferable for the next couple of weeks. But, I thought I’d jump on the winter bandwagon before I went so I don’t come back from the NZ heat feeling totally like an ice cube. Here’s what’s on my current wishlist so far…

ROSS-STYLE LEATHER TROUSERS

I know I mentioned my yearning for some Ross-style leather trousers in my autumn capsule wishlist post and let me tell you, it’s got stronger. More and more images keep cropping up of Instagram babes completely rocking the leather clad look and I keep thinking back to an old pair I had a couple of years ago and how much I loved them and felt like a badass biker chic whenever I put them on. It’s solidified in my mind that I NEED a pair. I know I mention my hunt in today’s video, but I just need to get it into words too because I’m at the point where I fall asleep thinking about them.

If money was no object then the Frame Le High Skinny Leather Pants would be hanging up in my wardrobe already. They look perfect – slimly cut but not completely spray-on, in a thick leather that actually resembles proper trousers with belt loops, buckles, pockets and everything. They’re exactly what I want, but the price also makes my eyeballs pop out of my head. High-street wise there are two pairs that I’m going to attempt to dupe them with. First are a Mango pair that unfortunately seem to have disappeared from the website, but I popped my email in the form to get notified incase they ever come back (PLEASE!). The second are some from & Other Stories which look pretty darn perfect, but I struggle with bottom half sizes in there as I usually can’t get their trousers past my knees so I’m not holding my breath. I feel like the journey to finding the perfect pair isn’t going to be an easy one here, but I have a feeling it will be worth the wait.

ON THE WISHLIST

---

MORE CHUNKY KNITS

I feel like I’ll be saying the phrase ‘MORE CHUNKY KNITS’ for the next six months, but seriously I do believe that we all need more chunky knits in our lives. My silk shirts now look like a mad option that I always dismiss because I don’t much fancy freezing my nipples off and looking like I’ve smudged two peanuts under my top, my thinner knits although still seem snuggly, aren’t the warmest option in my wardrobe, so by default the chunky knits always win. I’ve currently got three on rotation: my Acne Studios Deborah Knit, the Sezané Orson Jumper and my DemyLee Knit and I basically wear them all on a constantly repeating three day cycle.

Wishlist-wise I LOVE the Acne Studios Disa Oversized Wool Turtleneck because I feel like it would look great paired with straight-leg jeans and boots and because it’s so big and warming you could throw a couple of layers under it instead of wearing a coat. Side note: this & Other Stories High Neck Sweater is a great dupe for a fraction of the price). In fact & Other Stories has some great options actually – this Wool Turtleneck Jumper looks way pricer than it actually is and I had a feel of this in-store and it’s pretty darn soft. If we’re talking classic cable knits though I don’t think you can get much better than the Acne Studios Edyta Cable-Knit Wool Sweater. It’s a little out of my budget for this year, but maybe it’s one worth squirrelling the pennies away for next winter.

ON THE WISHLIST

---

FANCY LOUNGEWEAR

I pride myself on taking the category of loungewear extremely seriously. I’m someone who works by myself at home and I’m also someone who likes to be comfortable and will happily pop open a top button of the ol’ jeans in a restaurant if required. However, recently I’ve noticed two holes crop up in two of my most-worn loungewear items that unfortunately look a little irreparable unless my Grandma gets patching. This rarely ever happens with clothing that is suitable for outside wear which demonstrates just how heavily I rely on slouchy stuff that doesn’t scream ‘I’M WEARING MY PYJAMAS AND IT’S 2PM’ to the postman. So I think it’s time to upgrade. I’ve heard great things about Hush, although I’ve never tried anything from them so holler if you have any recommendations, but I’m also eyeing up anything and everything from The White Company and the ASOS Loungewear section.

I have a feeling I’ll be filling my basket come Black Friday with a new pair of slippers because I can rather embarrassingly touch the floor through the soles of my old pair and some slinky, perhaps cashmere/cotton blend joggers that make me feel semi-presentable to Stuart the DPD man.

ON THE WISHLIST

---

A REALLY BLOOMIN’ FESTIVE OUTFIT

I’m notoriously lacking when it comes to occasionwear. Now this really isn’t much of a big deal seeing as I leave the house about five times a year and perhaps one of those requires an outfit that doesn’t include jeans, but as the festive season is upon us, the formal dress codes are on the up. As we’re going away for most of December, we’re not actually seeing any Christmas party action, but that hasn’t stopped me lusting after some fancy schmansy items that if I won the lottery would be top of my list. I’m actually going to share a party edit post in collaboration with Topshop early December if you fancy some high-street inspiration, but if you have recently made the Forbes list then here’s what I’d recommend stocking up your smart capsule with…

If there’s a secret millionaire out there that would like to buy me the Lavin Sable Silk-Satin and Crepe Jumpsuit then that would be fab, please and thank you, because it’s the most beautiful garment I’ve ever seen (I wasn’t joking when I said this was a wishlist!). As always Whistles are bringing classy glam to the table with the Printed Devore Maxi Dress – again stunning, the Nicole Cut Out Velvet Dress – the only velvet piece I’ve seen that doesn’t make me want to vom and the Lyle Silk Pyjama Jumpsuit – silk, pyjamas and jumpsuits, what’s not to love? The LBD that is top of my list though is the Frame Silk Ruffle Dress, which if I did have an Xmas party that I could actually go to this year, would be what I’d be lusting after and budgeting on baked beans for.

ON THE WISHLIST

Photos by Lauren Shipley

*Sign up to my monthly newsletter ‘An Edited Life’ here*

SHOP THE POST