Browsing Tag

basics

Fashion

My fave brands for basics

14th November, 2021

If there’s one thing that I can attest to it’s that having a solid supply of basics in your wardrobe makes getting dressed so much easier. Having the right tees and tops and shirts at your disposal means you have the building blocks of a look sorted and the rest is just what you want to pair it with according to your mood on the day. I’m always on the hunt for a good basics brand (let me know your faves!), trying and testing to find staples that are a good fit, good quality and at a good price. These are a few of my current faves.

Uniqlo

I can’t tell you how much I love Uniqlo for basics. Over winter I always live in their Heattech tops to stay warm and love their basic t-shirts. The quality of their garments is great and stands up to constant wear (an important criteria for basics), they come in a huge array of colours and are reasonably priced.

Bassike

Bassike is a tad bit pricier, but I’ve found that their garments do have longevity. They’re my go-to for tanks and t-shirts, but they also have a great range of button down shirts which are ideal for pairing with everything from denim to skirts and shorts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGLmR3ElGXY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

General Pants

I stock up on a range of tees in different colours from General Pants. They do a great bundle deal most of the time which means I can grab a few shirts for a fraction of the price. The colours they do are the staples everyone should have in their wardrobe — think grey, white, black and navy so are ultra wearable.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEBrYo5HgfC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Seed

What I like about Seed’s basics is that they’re plain and unfussy — everything a basic should be. They do a great camis, tees and lightweight sweaters in cotton, linen and wool which makes their garments perfect for wearing on its own or layering.

Fashion, Shop, What I Wore

The building blocks of a great pregnancy wardrobe

27th February, 2021

pinks

Pregnancy can be a tricky time for your wardrobe – you have a new shape to accommodate but at the same time you’re only pregnant for a few months so you don’t want to buy lots of new things that you may never wear again.

If both my pregnancies have taught me anything it’s that it’s important to buy a few key basics that will work back with my existing wardrobe. I’ve found that armed with these, things like jackets, coats and vests are able to work throughout the entire pregnancy.

It’s important to remember that a growing bump doesn’t mean you have to drastically overhaul your wardrobe. You can still maintain your pre-pregnancy style but it’s just about getting creative with how to use what you already own.

I’ve honed my maternity shopping list down to a few key items and I guarantee that with these affordable basics you’ll be able to create multiple looks with minimum fuss. After all, you will have enough things to worry about during your pregnancy without throwing a wardrobe meltdown into the mix!

1. Long sleeve shirts

Perfect for layering under a jacket or vest. A jersey crew cut top andlong sleeved top both work perfectly with leggings for an easy fusion of fashion and comfort.

Stretchy long sleeved tops are a great layering piece for a growing bump

3. Stretchy skirts

The stretch waist is designed to accommodate all stages of pregnancy so prepare for it to become a key feature of most of your pregnancy wardrobe. I am a fan of this grey ribbed skirt which features flattering side ruching and a flat contrasting waistband that sits just below the bump.

4. Singlets

Another great layering piece is the good ol’ singlet which will work for every season. Just make sure you buy them in a stretchy cotton so they can accommodate your growing bump. You can team a singlet with pretty much everything whether it be a pair of shorts in summer or with a leather jacket in winter which makes it the ideal companion during pregnancy.

Singlets and leather leggings were some of my go-to pieces during pregnancy

5. Leather leggings

Black leggings are one of the comfiest things you can wear during your pregnancy but sometimes they may not work too well when you need to look a little more dressed up. My dressy alternative is leather leggings. I have lived in them during my pregnancy as the stretchy waistband is perfect for my growing stomach, plus there’s something decidedly chic about them so no matter how I’m feeling I can at least guarantee that my outfit will looked pulled together. If leather is not your thing a pair of stretchy black pants works equally as well.

6. Dresses

I cannot tell you just how much of my pregnancy wardrobe comprised of dresses. I couldn’t survive without them! The best bit is there are so many styles to suit every taste and budget. I usually went with shift dresses because I found they worked for me and my shape for both pregnancies, but you could opt for stretchy maxi dresses or swing dresses or something that’s cut in an empire line. Either way, I found dresses to be one of my best friends during pregnancy.

Keep dresses on hand for those days when you just want an easy, no-fuss look

7. Jeans

Jeans feature heavily in my regular wardrobe so I couldn’t imagine going through pregnancy without them. Luckily there are now some great options for maternity jeans which still look every bit as stylish as their non-maternity counterparts.

A lot of popular denim brands such as J.Brand and Paige have a great range in various washes and styles that can accomodate any growing bump. If you don’t want to go down the luxe denim route, then check out stores like H&M or Cotton On, which stock some very affordable options.  

Accessories and a few luxe additions like a great coat is one way to elevate your fave maternity looks

8. Accessories

After you sort out the essentials, you can invest in a few key trend pieces that will work as maternity wear but will transition into your post-pregnancy wardrobe. Accessories such as a great pair of sunglasses or a lovely handbag can really elevate your look and keep it of the moment. And the best bit it is it doesn’t matter how your body changes, they will still work.

Photography: Sophia Athas, Adam Nalapraya and Danielle Castano