How To Upgrade Your Wardrobe For Winter & A Conversation with Rickie Dee from Superette
How To Upgrade Your Wardrobe For Winter & A Conversation with Rickie Dee from Superette
I imagine that if you’re anything like me, you’re probably thinking thank goodness for the creative elements of the world, such as styling and fashion, to help nurture our personal expression and also use as a distraction when we need a little breather from the heavy stuff. Right now, I NEED a breather from the heavy stuff and I’m okay with admitting that. For that very reason, I’m very pleased to be bringing you a fashion focused blog post today to chat about my favourite styling season, winter. Pour yourself a glass of red and put the fire (heatpump) on.
Without sounding like a complete Marie Kondo cliché, I would say over the past 18 months I have been on a pretty fascinating journey of minimal living, and this has translated into my wardrobe hugely. I’ve always liked ‘nice things’, always had something expensive to save up for, and always valued the idea of investing in things so that they last longer, but recently I have taken that passion in full stride to bring that conscious way of shopping right to the full front of my mind. For me it’s now all about investing in quality pieces that will last years, up to a life time in either my wardrobe, or someone else’s. I also believe that when you invest in something that’s been made beautifully with quality fabrics that are sustainably and ethically sourced, it triggers a desire in you to want to take extra care of these pieces because you have to either spend a bit more money or you’ve got to take the time to diligently save up for the item, hence the idea of keeping these beloved pieces and not throwing them away. The idea is also to invest in something like a good piece of cashmere knitwear so that you don’t have to purchase that item again for a good few years, you buy it once and you continue bringing it out and wearing it year after year. Not to mention investing in something that is of a higher quality is such an exciting process in itself! Let’s be honest.
The cooler months have always been my favourite, so I thought I would share what my key wardrobe essentials are for winter here in Auckland to help direct you in the right direction of curating a more minimal winter wardrobe! This list is in collaboration with one of my go-to stores to shop with for investment pieces, Superette, who are opening their new Commercial Bay store this month.
Long Sleeve Tshirts. These are great for wearing under knitwear to layer for warmth and protect cashmere and wool from body odour. Look for 100% cotton for breathability and softness. Anine Bing L/S Tee
Layering Knits. Think thinner crew necks, a turtle neck and a chunkier oversized knit. Knitwear you can comfortably wear around the house, on the weekend but also layer underneath jackets and coats for work days. Look to invest in cashmere for extra warmth and luxury. Jac + Jack Cashmere Cliff Sweater $449, Bassike Womens Chunky Cropped Crew Neck Knit $649, Superette Travel Cardi $299
A good jacket to take from day to night, think a leather or a chic puffer that’s very on trend this season Ena Pelly New York Biker Jacket $749, Superette Aspen Puffer $499
Long line coat or trench that works for the office or weekend brunch Viktoria & Woods Olympic Coat $849
A warm but sexy “jeans and a nice top, top” for wine dates Bec And Bridge L/S Asym Knit Top $219
A good pair of rigid blue denim. Agolde Riley Jean in Renewal $349
Black split hem leggings: a major trend this season that elevate your look whether it’s casual with trainers or with heels. Bec And Bridge Total Eclipse Pant $289
A great scarf and beanie that go with everything. Here’s my tip: mens ones are always the best. Samsoe & Samsoe Effin Scarf $139, Saturdays NYC Waffle Crepe Beanie $129
White leather trainers. Adidas Sleek W $150
Black pointed boots. Classic and always make your legs look longer. Alias Mae Knight Boot $329
I chat to one of my long term favourite NZ style icons, Rickie Dee, co-founder and director of Superette to learn more about the new Commercial Bay Store in Auckland and more about her personal style.
Hey Rickie, the new Superette store opening is incredibly exciting, what is your favourite thing about the store and how does it differ from your other New Zealand stores? I am so in love with this store! It has been a long time coming but so worth the wait. Our designers DesignOffice from Melbourne actually started on this project before they did our Superette International store but with construction delays in the mix the openings ended up being flipped around. DesignOffice’s ideas and finishes are just incredible and we have loved working with them to create a new look that our customers won’t have seen before. There is a amazing mix of materials and displays that really enchance our beautiful product. We have also had fun introducing new designers to the Superette family that are exclusive to Commercial Bay as well as a curated selection of our Superette International brand offering which is super exciting. We are also excited to be apart of the Commercial Bay community. Opportunites to move in to mall environments have presented themselves over the years but have never felt quite right for us. We just knew from the get go that Commercial Bay was going to be something special. We love the design and aesthetics of the precinct and the sense of community between all the retailers and eateries.
What are your current 2020 winter wardrobe must haves? The Agolde Riley High Rise Crop Jeans (which I know you’re a fan of too!), our Superette Parker Knit & the amazing Camilla & Marc Preston Coat which is due to arrive in stores soon!
Which brands are new to Superette that you are currently loving this season? We have had a few exciting new arrivals to our Superette family in the last few months. Ena Pelly, Matin and ESSE Studios are certainly ones to keep an eye on, I absolutely love their timeless styles and fits. I am also beyond excited to welcome Helmut Lang to Superette International in August!
The beauty product selection at Superette has been growing, what are your go-to products for looking after winter skin? I’m all about hydration and glow from the inside out so I’m totally obsessed with The Beauty Chef’s Collagen Inner Beauty Boost and Glow Powder. I take these daily as a part of my morning routine and quickly got addicted after I saw the results they produce.
Have you made any recent changes in the business to cater towards environmental sustainability? For us here at Superette sustainability is all about making conscious and considerate choices. It’s about investing in quality products that are built to last you for years and even decades to come. It’s also about being aware of what is going on in the fashion industry and making the best decisions we can with the info on hand to takes steps to lessen our impact. A few of the cool things we’ve changed recently is the packaging of our house brand garments and composition of our t-shirting. We’ve switched from a standard non-recyclable poly bag to a home compostable bag made from plants and from September onwards all our t-shirting will be made from 100% recycled cotton.
Any great homeware products stocked at Superette that help to make the home feel a little more cosy during winter? There’s something about coming home and lighting a beautiful candle that I find so comforting. One of my all time faves is the Overose Valkiria, it has notes of Cedarwood and Tobacco which is perfect for winter. I’m also in love with my Kip & Co Bath Robe! So nice to pop on with some cosy slippers whilst I’m getting ready in the morning.
Commercial Bay is your eighth store - such a huge achievement. Where do you see Superette heading in the next five years? Oh that’s such a tough question! We are always aiming to be better than we were yesterday. The next five years will be spent developing and nuturing our Superette and Superette International concepts. Whether that’s through new stores, exciting partnerships, amazing new brands, we are open to any opportunities that come our way so who knows!
