7 Chic Wardrobe Foundations That Make Your Outfits Feel So 2024

published 9 April 2024

Now that we're fully settled and in the swing of 2024 and, yes, finally on the cusp of spring, I thought that now would make for an opportune time to take a look back at the past few months and better see how the year's aesthetic is shaping up. Where last year seemed dominated by a pared-back, quiet-luxury aesthetic, this year, although still very refined, is starting to feel like it has a bit more personality to it again. Trends are broader, dipping in and out of different decades, cherrypicking the most relevant-feeling pieces from them. There's a more relaxed approach to styling too, with items being worn in a multitude of ways, only further pushing their versatility.

Having analysed hundreds if not thousands of outfits since the start of 2024, looking back, I can now see that there are seven very clear capsule wardrobe foundations that have taken over this year, all of which have the ability work very hard to earn their keep in our closets. Below, I've showcased these seven items in action, as well as shopping out the strongest pieces currently on the market. So, if you want your 2024 outfits to feel fresh but also know the items you're investing in will still feel relevant for seasons to come, scroll on to see what wardrobe foundations look like in 2024. The best part? You may already own some of them, too.

7 WARDROBE FOUNDATIONS THAT FEEL VERY 2024

1. SUEDE JACKETS

The '70s aesthetic was prevalent on the spring/summer 2024 runways this season in the form of flare jeans, floaty dresses and suede jackets. However, the latter is proving to be the item most influencing real-life outfits.

Worn with all the ensembles you'd regularly style leather jackets with, a suede iteration offers a softer take on the coverup, which wears beautifully with spring's lighter fabrications and colour palette.

Shop the Trend:

Sézane

Wills Jacket

NOUR HAMMOUR

Bleeker Suede Jacket

Whistles

Bohdi Western Suede Biker

2. PENCIL SKIRTS

2024 is the year of the skirt—so much so that two key styles were worthy of a place in this edit. The first? Pencil skirts, which fashion people in Paris and London have been wearing on repeat.

Once considered formal office attire, for 2024, the piece has been rewritten as casual, with influencers wearing them in low-key ways. Think crew-neck knits, T-shirts, vests and relaxed shirting.

Shop the Trend:

RÓHE

Belted Wool Maxi Skirt

COS

Tailored Linen-Blend Maxi Skirt

ST. AGNI

+ Net Sustain Asymmetric Wool-Blend Twill Maxi Wrap-Effect Skirt

3. RED SHOES

Of all the shoe trends to know this year, red is proving itself to be one of the most enduring in its appeal.

Worn by way of slingbacks, high heels, ballet flats and even trainers, look to bright red tones to breathe new life into even your most tired outfits.

Shop the Trend:

MANOLO BLAHNIK

Maysale 70 Buckled Suede Mules

ZARA

Leather High Heel Shoes

COS

Pleated Leather Mary-Jane Ballet Flats

4. HORSESHOE JEANS

Jeans are largely considered to be a wardrobe staple, whatever the year or season. Still, new trends can come out of the woodwork and, right now, the silhouette to know if barrel-leg, otherwise known as horseshoe.

Fanning out from the thigh then tapering inwards as it nears the hem, this shape is just as comfortable to wear as wide-legs while its distinct shape, I'd argue, feels even more "fashion".

Shop the Trend:

H&M

Baggy Wide Low Ankle Jeans

TOTEME

+ Net Sustain Barrel High-Rise Straight-Leg Organic Jeans

River Island

Blue High Waisted Tapered Jeans

5. EAST-WEST BAGS

Coined East-West by our US editors, this elongated bag shape is cropping up all over the designer collections this season, making it a key arm-candy trend for 2024.

The oblong shape adds personality to a look, which fashion people have been integrating to their outfits with The Row's Abby bag as well as Alaïa's Le Teckel bag. Now, I'm starting to see more affordable options permeate the market.

Shop the Trend:

THE ROW

Abby Suede Shoulder Bag

Alaïa

Le Teckel Small Leather Shoulder Bag

Charles & Keith

Wisteria Elongated Shoulder Bag

6. TRACK PANTS

'90s-style track pants have become a staple in the wardrobe rotations of Instagram dressers this season, and I completely understand their appeal.

Think of them as your new go-to in place of leggings, track pants tick another trouser trend box with their wide-leg nature, which I think is a big reason for their comeback.

Shop the Trend:

H&M

Piping-Detail Track Pants

ADIDAS ORIGINALS

+ Wales Bonner Embroidered Recycled Stretch-Piqué Pants

Nike

Streetwear Oversized Fleece Wide Leg Jogger in Dark Green

7. FULL WHITE SKIRTS

As I mentioned earlier, skirts are big news this year and, in tandem with pencil skirts, I'm seeing so many great outfits featuring full white skirts right now.

With the ability to dress them up or down with ease, just one white skirt will help you unlock so many looks this season.

Shop the Trend:

Aligne

Natalie Full Length Poplin Skirt

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Pleated Cotton-Poplin Midi Skirt

M&S Collection

Pure Cotton Pleated Midi Skirt

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Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.