3 go-to items I have worn for 15 years

My word for this year is ‘simplify’. I’m an overthinker by nature, so this is an attempt to at least shift what I think about. I usually worry about the most mundane things (as well as the big things, of course); how can I fit all if these items into my fridge without swearing? Why am I always ironing? Will I ever get time to sit with my daughter and do her homework rather than rushing to scribble something in her book the morning of?

This, in part, is one of the reasons we moved house (more on that soon, promise). I wanted to simplify my everyday: drive less, walk more, be closer to family.

And a lot of this starts with life and home admin. I see so many articles in January about clever storage and decluttering and yes, great storage is essential. But for me, it’s also about having less stuff to store in the first place. I’m a ‘just in case’ person, I’ll take my sister’s kids old bedsheets because they fit our beds and it’s always a good idea to have 8 spare sheets, right? Plus I’m helping the environment by storing them instead of landfill! But I don’t need to overthink clever storage solutions if I simply have less to store.

I sold two blankets last week, one that has been sitting on the end of our bed every day during the winter months for a good few years. Every evening I take the blanket off the bed because it’s too heavy (for me) to sleep with, and every morning I neatly fold it and place it back on the bed because it looks nice and that’s what people do with blankets. It was a gorgeous colour, beautifully soft and although I loved it, it served absolutely no purpose. I decided on a whim to sell it and have not thought about it since it was delivered at my Evri drop-off point.

For my wardrobe, I am leaning into what works: my uniform. At 41 years old I know what I enjoy wearing and what I feel most comfortable and confident in (read my recent post on it here - I’ve taken the paywall off). And I’m repeating my rules for those who might need to read this too:

I do not need to dress differently every day of the week - it’s totally fine to wear the same outfit in different ways (even if that’s just different underwear).

I am washing my clothes less. If a jumper feels clean and was worn gently (ie I wore it just sitting at home or for a few hours), I leave it at the front of my wardrobe and will wear that everyday until I think it needs washing. I won’t wear another one until this one is in the wash. I have also trained my kids to look at their clothes rather than blindly throwing in the wash after one wear.

If I’m overwhelmed by tangled necklaces and jewellery, they *might* need organising OR maybe I need to consider editing them and definitely don’t need to buy more.

I am going to buffer purchases more stringently. Not just by leaving items overnight in my online basket, but not looking at all. I have barely shopped this month because I have filled my life with activities that haven’t involved social media, browsing online or walking around shops. More of this please.

And so I’m sharing the 3 items I have consistently worn in my wardrobe and where I buy them…

Hoop earrings

My nan always wore hoops and layers of chunky gold chains in a way only a South London nan could (with ‘Nan’ and ‘Mum’ engraved on pendants - I still have one of her lockets with a pic of my grandad inside) and this is my homage to her.

Where I buy them:

Catch Rhys - an independent, ethical brand using 97% recycled metals and always solid gold. I used to work with Catherine years ago in the fashion industry (she used to do the PR for Theory when I was an assistant) and it’s a pleasure to support her - creating jewellery you’ll never want to (and won’t need to) take off. I bought these mini hoops last year as my go-to everyday and the sterling silver mega hoops are my statement pair. I also LOVE that on Feb 14th they are launching the sale of single hoops! For maybe a second hole or when you lose one and can’t afford to replace a pair (it’s meeeee!).

Stripe tops

I was going to start this with a falsehood: I have never fallen out of favour with a stripe. But if truth be told I donated my Ralph Lauren rugby top Vinted purchase (middle top). It just needed too much ‘help’ to be truly useful in my wardrobe. So I’m already back pedaling. Generally speaking, I never tire of my stripe purchases and a classic, round-neck stripe is an easy throw-on piece.

Where I buy them:

Arket (this* one is great and similar to my ultimate favourite) and Monki* do organic cotton stripes for £17.99: the perfect slouch and they regularly update the colour range (although I must admit it’s easy to be swayed by colour combinations that aren’t so useful).

For a classic slash-neck mariniere, St James are iconic and excellent quality (I do also rate Uniqlo’s but they usually come back into stock around March).

Barrel leg jeans

Although barrel leg jeans are in their renaissance period, I have always been drawn to this type of shape jeans/trousers for my bodyshape. I tend to go for high-waisted trousers with a cropped leg in general and barrel-leg suit this aesthetic. I tend to go with cropped jeans to work with (and show off) sandals and boots without the headache of them dragging.

Where I buy them:

My true loves are the Everlane Way High Curve jeans* (in wash ‘Ocean’ - pictured right). I wear waist 30 with 27 inseam for a cropped finish.

My second favourites are these Marks & Spencer* ‘Horseshoe’ pair - I love the inky jet wash on this pair (these are size 12, regular length). I tend to dye my black jeans every year or so to keep them looking fresh from washing machine lines and general wear.

Coat: Baum und Pferdgareten secondhand via Vinted. Jumper: H&M Conscious Collection (old). High tops: Converse*. Bag: Arket (old, available in black here*).

And finally, a few trends I haven’t bought into. It’s always good to give yourself a pat on the back because not being swayed by trends is HARD and deserves recognition.

Styled nails. Not sure this is as much of a trend as a lifestyle decision but I stopped wearing nail varnish a few years ago and I cannot tell you how much time it has saved me - painting, removing old polish, thinking up colour schemes and general upkeep. A toenail infection (TMI?) forced me to embrace my au naturel toes and gosh it was hard but once I got past the yellow brittle bit, allowed them to breathe and flourish, it has been quite liberating learning to accept my toenails without their usual flash of coral. Dare I say I actually don’t mind them.

Heels. Not really a trend either but a big statement. I have a few pairs I love and these will remain my onlys. From now on, if my outfit won’t work with flats, I’m not entertaining it.

Coloured tights. You know how I feel about tights in general (big dislike), but I will admit to seeing the benefit of a sheer tight with a dress in winter. I think I can safely say, even when they’re at the height of fashion (and yes, we will be seeing more and more colourful tights a la Prada SS25), I will not be donning them. Too much thought about what shoe to wear with them, the right opacity, the feeling of the seams on the toes, the drag of the crotch. Just no. And it’s important to write this so I have some accountability. I will not be swayed. Hopefully.

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