arket

Every wardrobe needs one of these. And it's only £15.

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If you find something you love, buy two. In this case, buy five.

 

Notes on a Wardrobe is here to guide you on all those building blocks for a successful wardrobe. I am not into trends – yes, I love something new and cheery – my wardrobe is by no means an austere gathering of black and neutral shades (although if you have the discipline for it, I bet it makes dressing in the morning easy!). No, my wardrobe is full to bursting with colour and shapes and varying styles. Which is the way I like it.

 

But, when I find one of those classic pieces that I love now and know I will love going forward I fully advocate buying more than one: those favourite jeans that make my ass look pert rather than huge, and my legs look longer than they actually are; the leather biker jacket that does wonders for my waist (OK, I didn’t buy two at the same time – that would have put some serious pressure on my credit card - but it’s been a repeat purchase over the last decade when rips and discolouration have meant a replacement was necessary); and the classic crew-neck tee.

 

For a long time, a good t-shirt was my ultimate building block. For a night out, I’d pair it with jeans, big earrings and heels; for the weekend, trainers and a leather jacket; for work, tailored trousers and some leather flats. And so, over the years, I’ve become somewhat of a t-shirt connoisseur. And for this reason, I don’t sign up for luxury tees. I want one that I can wear liberally and bung in the wash regularly.

 

Historically, Gap was my go-to. Great cotton styles, a good length to stop that unsightly strip of midriff making an unwanted appearance and a nice fit – not too tight, or clingy, but still shapely enough not to make a shelf from my substantial bust. And I still like a Gap tee. My issue is that they’re inconsistent. Every season - be it the shape, the fabric, the composition - something changes. And so, when I discover the ones I like, I buy lots. Unfortunately, last summer, I went back for my classic crew and bought three (black and white, obviously, and then a rich shade of forest green), only to discover on washing that they just weren’t quite the same. They were that little bit soft which, on my curvy frame, has a tendency to look scruffy.

 

Arket, on the other hand, has mastered the crew-neck tee, and better than that, have (as yet) not spent unwisely by changing a formula that already works.

 

Available in a whopping nine block colours (with more dropping for spring) and a further five striped colourways, their Crew-Neck T-shirt is just £15. It washes well (no shrinkage or warping), has some heft to it (even in white it’s not sheer) and has a wide ribbed trim around the neckline. As we age, and our faces take on a certain ‘softness’, necklines become increasingly important. A wide trim on the neckline is vastly more flattering than thin ribbing, or no ribbing at all.

 

My only criticism, and I’m hesitant to make any, is the length of the sleeve. Arket, on the whole, is great for tall, long-limbed people, and that’s true of this tee, too. So, if you’re slightly shorter, you may want to consider putting a roll in the sleeve, to keep the bust perky and limbs long.

 

So, my top tips for the ultimate t-shirt: make sure the fabric has some heft to it (nothing too thin or sheer), the style has length (to stop our muffin tops escaping) and shape (avoid anything boxy or styles that flare out from the armpit) and a significant ribbed trim at the neckline. Or, just trust me, and buy Arket’s in all the colours of the rainbow.

Prue x

ADMIN: Everything I’ve included here, I’ve included solely because I really rate it. I may though, if you buy some of the items mentioned, earn a small commission from that purchase.

The Puffer Jacket: To Buy or Not to Buy

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All you need to know to nail the puffer coat:

 

The increasingly ubiquitous longline puffer jacket seems to be on every influencer’s wishlist this winter. And you can see why. When the impetus for getting dressed in the morning is decreasing on a daily basis, any coat that can cover the coffee I spilt on my pyjama top yesterday, the fact that my leggings have a hole in them and leave me feeling like my bed isn’t actually that far away, is bound to jump to the top of my must-have list.

 

That being said, the puffer is not flattering. There – I’ve said it. It adds acres of bulk and a full length one can be even trickier to master. But with lockdown and cold weather not going anywhere for (optimistically) at least another month, perhaps that’s something we just have to get used to in order to retain some level of comfort and faith in January.

 

So, if you’re opting for a puffer, here are some of my tips:

 

1)    Puffer coats are in abundance on the High Street. Mango has several longer coats still available. For full fashion factor, I love their off white padded anorak, which has a tie belt and lapel collar, but white isn’t practical when coffee and mud are unavoidable on our daily constitutionals. Their oversize quilted coat is still available in most sizes in black and in brown, and the vertical chevron quilting is more flattering than a horizontal stripe.

 

2)    Long line is great if you’re tall (no surprises there), but if you’re short, you need to be careful that the padding isn’t too big. If it’s disproportionately puffy, odds on, you’ll end up resembling a snowman. This puffer from Marks & Spencer is fantastic. The quilting isn’t too voluminous, and it nips in ever-so-gently at the waist, so it won’t swamp you. As an aside, when choosing a longer or ¾ length coat, you’re after an A-line or straight shape on the skirt. One that starts to come in again at the hem, will only serve to accentuate your bottom – which when shrouded in quilting is not a good look. The colour may be marmite for some of you but this shade of mustard (assuming you can pull it off) looks great with blue denim, khaki, and black so is a great way to boost an otherwise dull winter wardrobe.

 

3)    Adding a belt will instantly lift a coat like this out of ‘hibernation’ territory into something more stylish and considered. I love this style from Rains (and urge you to ignore the model’s posture!). Rains, for the uninitiated, is the fashion editor’s go-to brand for utilitarian rainwear. Not only is this coat belted, and therefore instantly more feminine, it’s also waterproof and breathable. Not quite as duvet-esque as some other styles on offer, but it’s one that won’t date in quite the same way that the extremely puffy styles will. I would wear it with the zip slightly undone and open (it’s all about that V-neck) and a scarf.

 

4)    Arket’s offering of 100% recycled down and feather jackets have been a huge success this season and many of their styles are sold out but their shorter style is still available in all sizes in both black and brown. This is unapologetically 90s and is very full through the body, so is a great style on straighter, more athletic figures. Make sure you wear it with a straight or slightly wide leg trouser or jean, though (or even a silky skirt!) - skinny jeans will throw the proportions out.

 

5)    If you can afford them, Moncler consistently nail the puffer jacket. Their short puffers are so short that they make the most of a waist and elongate the legs (for the same reason, also worth keeping an eye out for is The North Face’s consistently sold out cropped Nuptse jacket), but if you’re after that longline look, their Goelo juggles style and practicality. The quilting is full but it’s neatly belted. Bear in mind, though, that a belt that sits high on the waist in a puffer jacket won’t work if you’re full in the bust.

 

Stay warm.

 

Prue x

Mango, £104.99, mango.com

Mango, £104.99, mango.com

Marks & Spencer, £69, marksandspencer.com

Marks & Spencer, £69, marksandspencer.com

Rains, £205, rains.com

Rains, £205, rains.com

Arket, £175, arket.com

Arket, £175, arket.com

Moncler, £1580, matchesfashion.com

Moncler, £1580, matchesfashion.com