Basics for Winter

All pictures from Zalando.de

 
Also check out my new Ethical Capsule Wardrobe! 
 

A really good friend of mine, Tilly, asked me the other day if I could do a post about basics, about clothes that fit with everything as she struggles with a full wardrobe but nothing that fits together. At first I thought, easy-peasy not so hard, but I really had to think about what does always fit, what goes with every style and every body shape? Therefore this wardrobe basic post is about winter and autumn basics as it would have become too long if I include all the seasons. On top of that I wanted to show you all fair trade, organic and ethical fashion items but seemed to be impossible. For that reason you will find some links to Asos, Zalando etc. but also some links to sites that sell fair and organic and cruelty free clothing. I tried to include those as often as possible. Find them after the click!

Jackets:
In my opinion everyone needs a black leather jacket. I got mine from TK Maxx but you can find great ones 2nd hand or fake leather ones from Asos or Zalando, fair trade here, recycled leather here.
Another staple in your wardrobe should be a classic fitted black coat preferably with a belt to add shape (Zalando and Etam).
What I also would recommend is a grey oversized coat (Asos, Asos2, Zalando, Topshop, Topshop2), as you can put them over all your million layers when it’s super cold and the oversized trend won’t go away so soon. If you want to try to shop more conscious, try to find one in 2nd hand stores, they usually have a great coat selection. I still want to get one in grey.
Last but not least a green parka (from Asos, Etam), another jacket that fits with everything but that usually comes with a hood and in rain proof materials. It’s a classic that will never go out of trend and you can really invest here.

Tops:
What I always found really practical were zip-up hoodies, as they look cool and rocky but are perfect for layering (fair trade & organic cotton here, but from Germany, but you can find great ones from American Apparel or vintage).
Another item I like to shop in vintage stores or in TK Maxx are big chunky sweaters. Usually you have to buy one or two sizes up to get the cool and cozy oversized look (buy on Asos or fair trade).
A classic is definitely the striped long sleeve. I got mine from TK Maxx, but I bet your favorite online store has one, too (or here, from Muji, organic cotton or from Germany, organic cotton).
Also for layering don’t forget the cardigan, long, black, oversized and chunky would be the best (fair trade, Asos, Zalando).

Bottoms:
Cool fancy leggings or fancy tights bring some pattern and color into the usually dark winter wardrobe. And with leggings you can perfectly layer up with some thermal tights underneath. Here you really have to chose what your style is but you should find an interesting pair (ethical fashion ones here, I also love the ones from BlackMilk made in Australia).
For my fashionistas out there I would also recommend a pair of (faux) leather skinnies. They are all over in the online shops and in H&M and Zara. They always make an outfit look cooler than if you would just wear a normal pair of pants, and they are easy to combine with everything.
Even if it’s winter we can pair a nice colorful or patterned skirt with some warm tights, so don’t forget to find a colorful skirt that fits your body shape, some look better in A-Shape, some look better in short or long skirts, here is a guide (get a fair trade skirt from a German shop here or from a fair and sustainable UK site I love this and this one).
Dark Denim pants look good on every body shape and fit with everything and denim will always be in fashion. Just make sure you find a pair that fits you well, you will have to do some research here. Maybe Levis has the right ones for you. (Or for example from Kuyichi, an environment conscious fashion brand as well as from sustainable and fair trade label KOI and apparently Cheap Monday is a relative fair and sustainable brand).

Shoes:
You can get Biker Boots everywhere. I am trying to buy more shoes without leather and fur but it’s not that easy to find high quality shoes that last for several seasons not made out of leather. I bought my vegan biker boots last year from Dirty Laundry and the quality is top! (vegan ones here, from Dirty Laundry here & here, from Dockers or from Esprit)
Chelsea boots are my new favorite, I found mine from Miss Sixty at TK Maxx (duh) as a bargain!!! (or here)
It’s winter soon and as fashionable as we want to be, sometimes we just need warm feet. So really try to find a nice pair of super warm furry snow boots. Unfortunately there are not many nice styles out there. Some people like Uggs or Moon Boots. Stella McCartney has nice faux fur ones here and here, they are just a bit expensive, but maybe worth it, what do you think?
On those days when you have to dress a bit nicer, it’s not snowing like crazy and you want to wear some heels I found Ankle-Wedges to be the best option. Preferably in black so they fit with everything. Again my favorite pair is from Stella McCartney, but here you can find a more affordable pair but made out of leather.

Colorful winter accessories:
Ok, now you have all the basics, a lot in black and grey, and an easy way to incorporate some color into your winter outfits (unless you are an all-black-errthang-lover) is adding some colorful accessories like beanies, scarves, gloves and bags. Here you just stick to your style and to your favorite colors.

On the picture above you can combine any bottom with any top and that is how your basic wardrobe should be. With that you can always add some special items that are trendy or your typical style.
I hope you liked this post, a guide for all the trendy items for this winter will also follow.

German Version:

Eine meiner besten Freundinnen, Tilly, hat mich vor ein paar Wochen gefragt, ob ich einen Basics-Post machen könnte, also darüber schreiben welche Klamotten zu allem passen, da sie, wie viele andere auch, vor einem vollen Kleiderschrank steht, aber nie etwas zum anziehen hat. Mein erster Gedanke war, ja klar, easy-peasy, aber dann musste ich wirklich länger darüber nachdenken, was immer passt, was zu jedem Stil und zu jeder Körperform passt. Deshalb habe ich mich heute nur auf Winter Basics konzentriert, da die Liste sonst zu lang geworden wäre. Dazu wollte ich euch eigentlich nur vegane, fair-trade und nachhaltige Mode zeigen. Das schien aber fast unmöglich. Deshalb findet ihr ein paar Links zu Zalando, Asos etc. aber dazwischen auch Links zu Green Fashion, so oft ich was Passendes gefunden habe.

Bisous,
Mia

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