5 Members Of The NET-A-PORTER Team Share Their Forever Pieces
What’s the one item in your closet you couldn’t be without? The forever piece (or pieces) you’ll lovingly care for, repair and re-wear, year after year? We posed this question to five fashion aficionados on team NET-A-PORTER – and here is what they told us…
A classic blazer
“My shopping mantra is ‘buy less, buy better’ – because I like investing in timeless pieces that I know will stand the test of time. If there is one item in my closet that I always rely on, it’s a blazer – a forever piece that can easily be dressed up or down. I wear my Toteme blazer (which I bought years ago) everywhere and anywhere – mostly with jeans and a white T-shirt to the office, adding tailored pants and a pair of heels for a polished after-hours look. I’m very much looking forward to treating myself to a blazer by The Row that’s been on my wish list forever…” Viktorija Tomasevic, junior shopping editor
Wide-leg pants
“As someone who has always wanted to be taller, I will try anything to achieve the illusion of adding to my height. Heels, of course, are the answer, but those precious extra inches are actually hidden in a game of proportions. My go-to summer look is now a fitted crop top (I know, I know, but I can’t get enough of them) and high-waisted, wide-leg pants – ideally in the same color, to elongate as much as possible, and with a heel concealed under the wide hem. The high waist is key, sweeping from belly button to the ground, creating what appears to be long, long legs. In silk or linen, they are the perfect summer evening essential.” Kay Barron, fashion director
A classic handbag
“Of everything in my wardrobe, my most prized possessions are my handbags. I have a collection of, well, let’s just say ‘a few’… and have inherited my penchant for them from my mother. She has the most amazing archive of pieces, from Goyard to vintage Louis Vuitton, but my own collection consists of The Row, JW Anderson, Saint Laurent, Métier and Chloé. I’m less into bag trends and gravitate towards investment bags that I will be proud to carry forever. I love classic, timeless colors that will complement my mostly navy, gray and black clothes – and look for well-structured bags that are beautifully crafted in enduring, elegant materials. After all, a bag is a companion for life.” Alice Casely-Hayford, content director
Easy summer dresses
“Stripes will never go out of style. It’s the one print that will always feel relevant. The same can be said for a black-and-white pairing, so, together, this combination is a match made in forever-dressing heaven. I love the lightness of this shirt-dress, but that it still has structure and shape. The tie at the waist means it’s easy to adjust whenever my body shape changes over the years, and I’ll often wear it with a black kitten heel and evening bag for a summer soirée.” Libby Page, market director
A timeless watch
“I’ve had my Cartier ‘Tank’ watch longer than I care to admit. It was a gift from my parents for my 18th birthday, and I can honestly say there are only a handful of times when it hasn’t been faithfully strapped to my wrist. To me, jewelry and watches are the ultimate forever pieces; choose wisely and cost-per-wear will be unmatched. Next on my wish list is a Jaeger-LeCoultre ‘Reverso’ or Hermès Timepieces’ ‘Heure H’ with a tan strap, and with another milestone birthday just a few years away, I hope my fiancé reads this!” Hannah Cole, senior shopping editor