The Chic List How to boost your basics - YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Sign in Welcome!Log into your account Forgot your password? Password recovery Recover your password Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Home Fashion The Chic List How to boost your basics By You Magazine - May 16, 2021 As well as elevating my social life from its nonexistent Covid status, I’ve been elevating my wardrobe basics too. It’s exhausting all this elevating! This jumpsuit from Cefinn’s new collection is simple but standout Ever since lockdown began lifting, I’ve been bursting to be sociable. OK, half the time I’ve been freezing because someone else was hogging the outdoor heater, the other half I’ve been sitting directly under it and it feels like my make-up is going to melt into my dinner. But after four months of nothing, I’ll happily take it. In fashion terms, the words elevate and basic fit together like good friends and good wine. So what exactly do I mean by elevated basics? And why are they the beating heart of a chic wardrobe? They are clothes that may be simple in terms of style or colour but have lovely details or pinches of drama that set them apart from being, well, just basic. For example, these gorgeous Mary Janes from Jimmy Choo (below) which have been elevated by their crystal strap. Elevated basics are functional but high-quality. Practical but beautiful. Tailored but understated. And they all have a twist of interest – perhaps an exaggerated sleeve or eye-catching buttons – which make them stand out from the crowd. The beauty of basics like this is the fact that everything goes with everything. And it provides you with a grown-up signature style. I also have an arsenal of styling tricks that can be deployed to elevate an entire outfit, no matter the season. Here are a few examples… Unleash the sequins Add a little bling to dinner and drinks. Wear sequins on your shoes or in your ears to go with your cashmere. Or find a pair of your favourite sparkly Christmas trousers and pair them with your blazer. Try a shoulder drape This is the oldest trick in the book and always works a treat. You don’t need to be Superwoman to pull it off either. Simply drape your jacket or coat on your shoulders or tie your jumper at the neck. Wear sunglasses always These provide the finishing touch to any look. Be clever with colour Some like to clash their colours but you have to be brave and own it. An easier option is to pick from a palette that sings in synch. Or, my favourite fall-back – just wear all black. Buy less buy better Shopping doesn’t need to be all about buying new. Why not browse preloved destinations Designer Exchange or Vestiaire Collective for that elevated designer cut? I recently found a new Phillip Lim khaki blazer for the same price as one on the high street. Jumper, £125, arket.com The men’s department is often hoarding the best cashmere. Jeans, £69, cosstores.com White jeans are the perfect basic for any summer wardrobe. Trousers, £430, net-a-porter.com These cargo pants with their elevated details are just perfection. Hat, £74, hicksandbrown.com This wide-brimmed fedora will go beautifully with your summer dresses. Top, £55, cosstores.com Never underestimate a basic like this vest top with its asymmetric neckline. Necklace, £35.99, mango.com A simple chain necklace will lift any outfit. Shoes, £595, matchesfashion.com I’m swooning over these Mary Jane flats, the must-have shoe of the season. Follow me on Instagram @thestylistandthewardrobe RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR Rochelle Humes has launched a gorgeous new edit with Next Shop the YOU Magazine Instagram YOU picks the best new-in buys from M& S Popular in Fashion Laura Jackson has teamed up with Next for the chicest knitwear January 22, 2020 Holly Willoughby’ s birthday dress is another Zara bargain February 10, 2020 The Instagram-famous & Other Stories wool blazer is back in stock August 31, 2022 Lorraine just wore Emma Willis’ Next collection from head to toe March 17, 2020 The prettiest spring dresses under £100 March 1, 2022 Everyone is buying Holly’ s gorgeous gingham Oasis dress May 14, 2020 13 bargain dresses to buy in ASOS’ s extra 20 per cent June 10, 2020 This £20 H& M dress is set to be the social media June 26, 2020 Stacey Solomon x Primark is back for a third collection with July 20, 2020 Searches for this perfect heatwave summer top style are up 5000% August 10, 2020 Popular CategoriesFood2704Life2496Fashion2240Beauty1738Celebrity1261Interiors684 Sign up for YOUMail Thanks for subscribing Please check your email to confirm (If you don't see the email, check the spam box) Fashion Beauty Celebrity Life Food Privacy & Cookies T&C Copyright 2022 - YOU Magazine. 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