When I'm considering adding another Stalf piece to my wardrobe (believe me, the temptation is endless!) I have a checklist I run through in my mind, just to make sure that this new addition is going to play well with my existing wardrobe, and to make sure it's going to work hard for me.
Here're my wardrobe newbie rules, maybe they'll help you with ways to get your existing Stalf multi-tasking, or perhaps they'll inspire you to create your own set of rules.
This month, I've taken home the Wrapper in Ice Cream, here's how it measured up to my spec.
Dress Down.
I have a policy of not saving anything for best, so it's important to me that a new addition can be easily and comfortably dressed down for work or weekend.
Credits:
Ice Cream Wrapper, Stalf
Bead and Mother of Pearl necklace, Roxanne First
Wool Hat, Free People
White Trainers, Nike
Dungarees, Everlane
Tee, Ami
Dress Up.
I love to get my glad-rags on as much as the next person. Items in my wardrobe should be versatile enough that I can make them feel special with some clever styling. (I'd allow sweats and some knits to be exempt from this clause, but it's amazing how well a pair of sweatpants can be styled up for something special.)
Credits:
Ice Cream Wrapper, Stalf
Ice Cream Shorts, Stalf
Gold Earrings, Aligheiri
Red Lipstick, La Bouche Rouge
Red Velvet Heels, Gianvito Rossi
Winter.
Here in England, the weather plays tricks on us regardless of the month, but I'm loathe to think of my new Stalf hanging lifeless in my wardrobe for half the year, so seasonal versatility is really important. For winter, I'm looking to layer, add boots and a coat, warm accessories and perhaps the rain/mud test for certain items.
Credits:
Ice Cream Wrapper, Stalf
Grey Marl Sweatpants, Stalf
Knitted Cardigan/Jumper, Mum's Handmade
Socks, Corgi
Wellies, Hunter
Summer.
Similar to the above, but flipped on its head. In Summer, I want my garment to take on a new lease of life, fresh, floaty and uplifting, it should work well with sandals and trainers, on the beach and in the garden.
Credits:
Ice Cream Wrapper, Stalf
White Sandals, Vans
Patterned Dress, Sissel Edelbo
Silver Rings, Daniella Draper
Aside from making sure a new garment works for a multitude of occasions all year round, I also have a couple of looser and broader rules...
Print & Colour.
I love print and colour, and whilst I lean into black and neutrals at certain times of the year, I get so much joy and pleasure from playing with colour and print combinations. A new purchase should mix and match well with my fave stand-out pieces already in my wardrobe.
Credits:
Ice Cream Wrapper, Stalf
Beatles Jumper, Stella Mccartney
Reusable Shopping Bag, Baggu
Spearmint Sweatpants, Stalf
Multi-coloured Trainers, Nike
Shoessss.
I need a newbie to work well with the four main categories- Trainers, Boots, Sandals and Heels.
Credits:
Ice Cream Wrapper, Stalf
Red Heels, Gianvito Rossi
White Trainers, Nike
Pink Wellies, Hunter
White Sandals, Dr Martens