I’ve had another wardrobe clear-out this week, getting ready for summer and, once again, it was time to take stock and see what the truly useful pieces are, as opposed to the items bought on a whim.

‘Truly useful’ means something that has been worn at least 30 times this year and I thought it would be interesting to isolate those
Items.

1. A dark blue denim blazer (with pockets)

More polished looking than a jean jacket, it just seemed to work with everything: Over a thin sweater during winter, a shirt or T-shirt now. I’ve also worn it over a dress for casual events. It looks great worn with a silk print bandanna.

2. Blue jeans with an elasticised waist

Now wait, before you start thinking I’ve lost my mind and given up on fashion entirely, these are super chic. They are from a brand in Melbourne called demi ds and while the words ‘elastic waist’ might conjure up the image of a mum jean, these are cut perfectly and have a flattering, youthful look to them. Put with a low-heeled sandal, they’re the bomb.

3. A solution dress

It has a V-neck, three-quarter sleeves and is in black and white floral crepe de chine and falls in a slight A-line to about mid-calf (see similar here).

I bought it two weeks ago, and I have already worn it to a Melbourne Cup lunch (with sandals), to a formal dinner (with gold heels), to a cocktail event (with black satin kitten heels), to lunch worn with the aforementioned denim blazer (with white sneakers) and at my own dinner party (with black satin ballet flats).

4. An off-white, unstructured, inexpensive trench coat

This loose, flowing style looks great with jeans, or leggings and also with the solution dress.

Throwing on a light coat pulls all the casual pieces together and adds a bit of city polish, without looking too dressy. I bought mine from MNG on sale for about $100, and it has been a favourite piece this year, in all temperatures.

5. Blue cotton, button-through long-sleeve shirts

I have two that I rotate: One was costly, which I bought at a store in Paris called Crimson, and has my initials embroidered on it. It’s the perfect shade of French blue and always attracts comments.

The other is in a lighter blue broadcloth, which I bought at Zara. The quality of cotton is very ,very good and it looks better after every wash, I had to re-sew a few buttons, because that’s what happens when you purchase fast fashion. But I’ve worn it dozens and dozens of times, which amounts to a good buy in the long run.

6. Black satin cargo pants

These are an everyday winner. In thick, liquid satin, they are halfway between evening and casual, which means they work for every occasion.

And they have pockets! I wore them recently with the denim blazer and a white T-shirt, and managed to go out with just my phone, reading glasses and house key in my pockets.

Not carrying a handbag is the chicest, most liberating thing in the world.