Every year at the beginning of January I sit down and consider one thing for Who What Wear UK – what items will stick with me in my wardrobe for the next 12 months? The beginning of a new season is always the perfect occasion for Do a thorough stock check And using the opportunity to free my wardrobe of any burdens before 2025 was an exciting prospect (new year, new me etc). And after a few years of that same methodical treatment, I’ve seen the benefits of investing time in proper closet cleaning to ensure I don’t become overwhelmed with pieces that have no time to air out. The coming year.
keen to Create a long-lasting wardrobe Instead of following a trend, I started separating my clothes into piles. First, the “nos”, which were sent to the charity shop. Next, the “shelves”, which I can see coming back later but may go into storage for now, and finally, the “rescues” – those that will be worn on rotation for the rest of 2025. It is important however, to remember that no clothing is ever thrown away. After all, it’s less “goodbye” and more “see you later.”
Having said all this, I was left with very little choice but to overcome myself, and in fact, the opposite is true. yes, still there basic basics This happens in every well-curated wardrobe, but I’ve also kept some of the more exciting purchases that made my heart pound at the time. Are you curious to know how I organized a wardrobe that keeps track of time in a day? Keep scrolling to see which pieces I’m shelving and which trend-defying pieces I’m saving for the rest of 2025.
1. Shelving: Mesh Ballet Flats, Saving: Loafers
Style Notes: Starting with a trend considered controversial to some, mesh ballet flats were Huge In 2024, and as soon as I got a pair I jumped with joy. Did they look good? Absolutely. Did I enjoy wearing them? Definitely. The only problem was that in the summer I got a good wear out of them, but as soon as the autumn breeze came, they became like being barefoot. By next summer I’m pivoting my collection toward the versatile loafer. Not only are they more durable, but they’ve also been the shoe of choice for the smart dresser for decades, a testament to their longevity.
Shop Loafers:
m&s collection
suede loafers
dagmar’s house
leather loafers
Toads
polished leather loafers
charles and keith
Leslie Metallic-Accent Loafers
2. SHELFING: VINYL COAT, SAVING: TRENCH
Style Notes: Huge, soft, faux fur coats were big on the runways for autumn last year and down-home work jackets seemed to dominate wherever we looked for winter, but if any piece has proven its true fashion credentials, So this is the quintessential trench. Whether it’s classic camel, cropped, leather or wool, the trench is one of those styles that you can guarantee will get a lot of wear for years to come. Glossy vinyl coats have always attracted me to wear the same silhouette, but the flexible fabric isn’t ideal for layering, and if you get caught in the cold, you’ll wish you had a soft one to wrap up in. Have a coat. This year I’ll wait until it’s warmer before digging into my vinyl coat collection, and until then this wool trench over a turtleneck will be perfect for me.
Shop Trench Coat:
john lewis
John Lewis Cape Trench Coat, Natural
Macage
Seyla Belted Wool-Felt Trench Coat
leset
Jane Belted Double-Breasted Wool-Blend Trench Coat
3. Shelving: Leggings, Saving: Wide Leg Trousers
Style Notes: When it comes to trousers, often the longer and looser they are, the better the finish (in my humble opinion). And as someone with a curvier bottom, leggings are a comfortable item but often not something I wear for the best (especially with short tops and coats!). No matter the brand or color, wide-leg trousers balance my figure And Look together. Wear a pair with any dress and any shoes and you’ll know exactly what I mean – you never have to worry about them being see-through or leaving much to the imagination like leggings. Will happen. Once you find a pair with the right waist, hemline, and pleating, you’ll want to wear them with almost everything.
Buy wide leg trousers:
store controller
Casual Twill Wide-Leg Pant
massimo datti
flowing cotton blend trousers
Mango
Leather-Effect Elastic Waist Trouser
and other stories
wide press-crease trousers
Frankie’s Shop
Ripley Pleated Wide-Leg Wool-Blend Trouser
4. Shelving: Mini Dresses, Saving: Midaxi Dresses
Style Notes: Summer may feel like it’s a million miles away, but it’s not the only time for you to make the most of wearing long dresses and skirts. From cozy knits to slinky slips, I’ve depended on midaxi dresses for so long that for a while I didn’t even have the confidence to buy trousers. However, one thing I noticed in cleaning out my closet was how many short dresses I had bought thinking they would be ideal for party season, and instead it was so cold that I couldn’t enjoy them even with tights. could go. If you can’t imagine wearing it in layers anymore, you’re unlikely to get wear from it all year round – choose long-line dresses that are appropriate for every occasion.
Buy Midaxi Clothes:
Mango
Linen Dress with Knot Detail
Improvement
abbott knit dress
nobody’s child
Black Cord Long Sleeve Flossy Midi Dress
Tow
Erin Silk Chiffon Maxi Dress
free people
Free-Est Andrea Midi
reece
Ribbed Funnel Neck Belted Midi Dress in Mocha
5. Shelving: Bubble Skirt, Saving: Knee Skirt
style notes: Yes, I am guilty because I have been accused of owning not one, but one Three Bubble hem skirt. Inspired by their beauty and the playful idea of such a large skirt, I realized that the bubble might be a bridge too far when it came to putting together outfits for a more formal dress code. Instead, I’ve seen a new trend of skirts on the streets of Paris and Milan that no one can argue with: knee-length, ’90s-inspired A-lines, pencils, and slip skirts that feel like Like he has just stepped forward. Runway. Chic, non?
Buy Knee Skirt:
asos design
Gray knee-length pleated midi skirt
Valentino
Wool and Cashmere Midi Skirt
6. Shelving: Chunky Cable Knit, Saving: Stackable Fine Knit
Style Notes: My drawers are overflowing when it comes to knitwear, and while I would never advocate erasing chunky jumpers (they are) so Cute), they’re just not the functional wardrobe staple I thought they were. As the temperatures dropped, I pulled out the heaviest jumpers I had, resulting in an overheated, irritable mess. Even now with snowfall and frost, sitting on the tube, taking off your coat and pulling up the neckline does not feel comfortable, much less tight, and the only way to deal with this problem is sensible layers of fine knit that can ease as desired. can be removed from
Shop great knitting items:
American Vintage
women’s cardigan ex
&Daughter
Ada Crewneck Cardigan in Burgundy
Signature
Pure Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper
navygrey
Weekend – Navy
7. Shelving: Crossbody Bags, Saving: Totes
Style Notes: I’d like to start off by saying that there’s still a time and place for a crossbody bag (and the COS Leather Swing Bag is still one of my favorite weekend options), but the reality is that during the week we have to carry laptops, books, and more. Have to struggle with. , makeup bag and all the essentials, and fitting them in one bag is a reasonable necessity. Expect supersized totes to become the default bag choice for everyday wear, especially in shiny leather iterations that look polished as well as practical.
Shop Tote Bag:
totem
belted double tote camel
just a little
Patent Effect Bucket Bag
balansiege
Bel Air Small Leather Tote
flattered
Flattered Leslie Suede Tote Bag, Chocolate
charles and keith
Calla Tote Bag
8. Shelving: Patterned Trunks, Savings: Block Color
style notes: After flirting with lace, leopard and logo print tights all autumn long, nothing seems to compare to the power of bold, block-coloured hosiery. The red tights I bought last year are still going strong, and I’m equally excited to style the white tights I just ordered online, but my logo tights are at the bottom of my underwear drawer. Lasts until I get a new one. A way to wear them that doesn’t look too impressive…
Buy Colorful Tights:
swedish stockings
olivia premium tights
Calzedonia
50 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights
m&s collection
3pk 60 Denier Body Sensor™ Tights
john lewis any day
John Lewis Anyday 40 Denier Opaque Tights, Pack of 3
swedish stockings
olivia premium tights