There are hundreds of thousands of influencers in the social ether, but only a handful who we religiously stalk in order to virtually steal the clothes off their backs. Our primary target is Monikh—the London-based styling and shopping guru who seeks out the very coolest buys from every corner of the retail world. From her inspiring tips on re-wearing her well-chosen investment items to hunting down the coolest high-street pieces, her Instagram feed @monikh and website are a veritable hotbed of things you’re going to want to purchase immediately (and will never regret). Each month, Monikh will share her new picks exclusively for you…
With the second lockdown in full swing, this month’s capsule wardrobe is full of feel-good items to make those working from home moments as comfortable as possible. I’ve been working from home for the past five years, and I find it so important for my mental health to still keep to a routine. Even those little things like getting ready as if you were heading to the office —vital! Dressing for your job helps to keep you focused, and while there’s not really any need for a full-on suit, there’s no reason why chic and powerful clothing can’t be homely.
I’ve always been a fan of clothing I can move freely in, it’s part of my ‘never over-dressed’ motto. So I invest in a lot of basics which become the building blocks of my wardrobe, with the ability to dress up these pieces if and when needed. I look at styling clothes the same away as I do with homeware—I hunt for minimal pieces that together create a uniformed room, and something that you can then add to with soft furnishings. And at the start of each season I love to grab a few new additions to make my working and living space feel fresh. So for those who are lucky enough to work from home, let’s see this as our nesting month, our time to take off the jeans and throw on those knitted dresses, while lunching on a sofa full of new pillows and blankets.
Keep scrolling for the 10 items I have in my cosy edit this month.
You’ve got your tracksuit on but need to run out for essentials, now how do you make this work? The answer is the robe coat, so chic it will add a touch of luxe to your casual attire.
My boyfriend buys me a new planner every Christmas, and it’s always my favourite gift. I get to slot in all those special dates and be able to visually start my countdown. Plus with all those weddings which were sadly cancelled this year, I’ve got a lot to slot in already.
This is an exact dupe of one from The Row which I’ve had my eye on for months! A classic black cashmere jumper that will never go out of style. I also love that it is mens. I’m wearing this in a small, but if I were to re-order I’d go for a medium so it was a little oversized.
Still wanting to dress up a little? Have a video date coming up? Try this set from H&M—both also work as separates!
I love to grab a few new home bits each season to spice up my living room a little. And when you’re a minimalist like me you have to be sure to make it is something that’s simple, yet effective enough to make a statement. Enter my new vase.
Nanushka’s entire new-in section is just an A/W dream! So chic, so cool. Wear this wool dress barefoot at home, and with a belt and boots when it’s safe to venture out.
I love this brand—they just do simple homeware so well! Grab a few checked blankets to layer up on the sofa for those cosy film nights.
Setting the table for dinner really has helped me to feel like dinner at home is a real moment again. No TV, just some soft music in the background, a bottle of red and some pretty tableware.
If you don’t have to wear a bra, should you? The answer is obviously no, but in case you do want a little support, why not go for the knitted bra under a slightly opened shirt? Very chic.
Keep scrolling to see the 10 items I’m loving this autumn.
“As the years have gone on, boots are getting bigger, bulkier and fiercer. And these by blogger Pernille Teisbaek are the ones to have this winter. Make sure to pre-order yours now to ensure you get a pair before the winter is over.”
“To help your summer wardrobe go into hibernation, grab a couple of these rattan boxes from H&M. Whether under the bed or on top of the wardrobe, they make storage become a feature.”
“Gloves are a real winter buy, and the one thing I haven’t invested in for years. I’m still pulling on mine from 6 years ago, and while they now hold sentimental value, the biker style just isn’t my vibe anymore. Now I want to be minimal and chic, and these gloves scream that.”
“The jumper dress is perfect for those days when it’s not so cold, that only a chunky jumper and boots will do. Note: must wear with at least cycling shorts or black leggings underneath when leaving the house (there are very high slits!.)”
“Loulou Studio is full of Parisian chic staples to slot into any look, and this style is probably one of my favourites. It’s cropped just enough to tuck into your jeans or joggers without looking bulky. I wore the orange one non-stop this summer so the camel was a no-brainer for the winter.”
“I posted about this bag back at the beginning of the year when it was pre-order. It’s now in stock and a must have with their perfectly sized compartments to ensure you always leave the house with your phone (and mask).”
“A black dress is always needed, and if yours isn’t weather appropriate take a look at this one by Ganni. I’d wear this with big boots.”
“I think I’m going back to Vans. Yes, I have to. For those days when I might want to wear my tracksuits outside because let’s face it, they’re pretty chic now, I need a pair with a chunkyish sole to balance out the look, while still keeping everything very understated.”
“It’s no secret that I love an oversized shirt, and after becoming obsessed with the linen beauties from WNU, of course I was going to jump on their new checked collection. I normally go for a small but for winter I want them a little more oversized so I went medium. This way the slightly longer length balances out the under-the-knee boots.”
“This is my absolute favourite loungewear. Yes they’re a little dear, but the quality is like no other. The fit on them is perfect (size down) and I love the chic sweatshirts. Note if you go for the snap-front pants instead of the traditional jogger type, they’re easier to wear with big chunky boots as the trousers glide over. I’m all for cosy dressing for this autumn winter.”
Want to look chic in the rain? This has you sorted.
I bought this in black maybe four years ago and I still bring it out every Autumn. So maybe its time for a new print…
This top is perfect for last minute drinks.
Your back to work blazer sorted. Team with your summer slip dresses and a pair of caged sandals for the last month of summer
Terracotta obsessed! Leave perched in the corner of your living room.
Joseph’s new collection is out and it’s everything I would want if I was heading back into an office. Sophisticated and polished yet effortless. Wear these burgundy trousers with the matching red jumper, burgundy bag and shoes. A full tonal look is very AW20.
No holiday is needed when it’s 35 at home. Wear this in the comfort of your own living room while the heatwave continues.
The ultimate easy, breazy dress.
Mara Hoffman is one of my favourite designers and her latest collection is full of bold designs ready to steal the lime light.
I took these away with me and coordinated them to my outfits. Being safe but chic.
Chic yet fun, wear this dress on holiday with a pair flip flops, and back home with an oversized white shirt and trainers.
Faithfull The Brand is the ultimate holiday destination wardrobe. They’re full of colourful linens to mix and match with previous seasons. I wish I’d seen this set before I went to Positano!
Warning, this dress is seriously sexy! Rat and Boa creates slinky, curve hugging, sassy look-at-me dresses. The ultimate wow dress.
Dressed up or down, this beauty will carry you through the summer year after year.
I love this brand. Pushing a slow fashion movement, their designs are ageless. I’m also a huge fan how how they lift mothers in particular, with lots of their journal stories featuring real families.
Launched this week and ready for pre-order. This is one of my favourite shapes, but now in these dreamy Autumn tones, Réalisation keep the fabric ultra light, making them perfect for hot summer days. Ill be wearing mine with flip-flops and a woven bag.
I love the double-pocket design on this By FAR bag. It’s the perfect bag to not lose your phone in.
Super simple but effective. Team with a white tee and ’90s sandals.
My newest brand crush, Envelope1976 has just launched this vegan-dyed dream dress from leftover material it had. It can be worn two ways and is also biodegradable. Now, that’s a clever dress.
Update your wine hour with these beauties.
Another week, another linen-dress must-have.
I’m not really one for showing off my legs (not for any particular reason, just my personal choice), but this skirt just might change that for me. Team it with a basic vest and minimal mules for Carrie in season three of Sex and the City vibes.
This Black-owned brand is going from strength to strength within the industry, having just cemented another collection for Net-a-Porter. This dress is set to sell out.
Full of timeless beauties suitable for any age, Marle has your entire staple wardrobe covered.
The Frankie Shop is back open! Quickly grab the ultimate oversize suit whilst it’s still available. Wear during the summer with a skinny vest top and sandals, plus with jumpers and coats layered with boots for the winter. Chic all year round.
Worn with a simple white vest top, these are basically what we needed during last week’s heatwave. Fingers crossed for another soon!
I am obsessed with the simplicity of this brand! Grab this dress, and wear it a hundred different ways through the seasons.
When searching for summer attire, Faithfull the Brand is a must! Its linens and easy day dresses are pieces you’ll wear year after year.
There’s nothing as effortless as basic flip-flops, and Havaianas are the ultimate staple. The brand has also just launched a platform version that is very S/S 20.
Posse is another summer go-to, and with this week’s heatwave in full swing, dresses like this are a godsend.
I found this brand on Instagram a few years ago, and I have been hooked on its incredibly simple yet exaggerated designs ever since. It keeps the colours very muted and uses über-dreamy materials. But the thing that sets its pieces apart is the volume of the shapes. Very clever, very beautiful. Note they also sell out and rarely get restocked—still kicking myself over a dress I missed from over three years ago.
For anyone like me living in a flat and always in need of more space, you’ll be happy to see this.
It’s wedge season, and these are the best of the best.
Fe Noel is one of my favourite Black-owned fashion brands. So chic, so timeless, and so handy. This shirt/belt/purse trio is enough to keep my keys and bank card safe while staying effortlessly cool.
In need of a comfy dress to lounge in while working from home? Cue this H&M cosy knitted dress.
Another Black-owned business I’m championing this week, Cold Laundry is full of unisex staples to wear every season.
I love a two-piece—it’s my absolute weakness. I just can’t say no! This knitted duo is soft enough to lounge in all day while making you feel up and ready for work (if you’re currently working from home like I am).
I’d wear this casually tucked into a pair of old straight-cut jeans.
They come in different patterns every summer and always sell out in record time. Buy them now and wear them day to night from now until September.
These ethically made woven bags are not only gorgeous, but they also hold a beautiful story of supporting households of the Kamba tribe in Kenya. Each basket is made out of old jumpers and each is unique.
I may be going back to my old ways of minimalism, but I will always have a soft spot for that ’70s vibe, and this dress is the one to bring it back.
I’ll be ready to meet for drinks as soon as they say it is safe to do so in classic jeans and a dressy top.
How perfectly chic is this shirt? I’m already styling it 1000 different ways in my head, firstly tied with these Bermuda shorts.
The shorts of 2020, which I’ll wear with chunky flat sandals.
During my uni days, I wore a blazer with everything. It was my look, which I then detested as soon as I graduated. Fast-forward 10 years and I’m back in love. I will wear this on top of everything this summer.
With the bank holiday just ’round the corner, I’m getting ready for a long weekend of food and wine. Making this weekend different than any other by going all out with the table décor.
I’m obsessed with this brand. The mother-daughter duo only opens its online shops on Wednesday evening, and everything is made to order. You can even send them your measurements so it fits you exactly. That’s a sustainable shopping model I love.
Venroy is one of my favourite fashion secrets. Pioneered by Farfetch, which is helping to support small boutique stores all around the world, the brand is full of simple linen separates to throw on throughout the summer months. These pieces fall into that buy-now, wear-forever group.
I’m a sucker for a good dress, so when I saw this one, I just couldn’t let it go! Wrap the hoodie (below) around your waist and throw on a pair of New Balance trainers to give it that 2020 edge.
There’s nothing like giving your legs the freedom of a big, spacious skirt. This one from Arket is the perfect anywhere, anytime item that you could dress a thousand ways. For now, team with that yellow hoodie and a chunky flat.
A brand I am obsessed with: It’s the same brand as that orange jumper I’ve been wearing nonstop. Hoodies have done a full 180 and are now chic. Wear casually with joggers, skirts, dresses—it works with them all! This cashmere beauty will last you a lifetime.
In the must-have S/S 20 shape, the tone of this Mango dress makes it stand out from the rest.
I’ve always got water, tea or wine in my hand, depending on the time. Staying hydrated is key, so you might as well make it as pretty as possible. These vintage handblown glasses are the absolute dream. I need one in every colour!
Whether they’re thrown on the sofa or the bed, trust me—laying on these while binging on 12 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy will feel great.
