Ebony Francis knows her stuff. Previously creative director at Free People, she has built a career on knowing what looks good and what doesn’t. Her experience and exquisite taste have earned her thousands of followers—and fans—on Instagram, and she even started a weekly podcast talking all things fashion with fellow content creator Emma Thatcher. Alongside this, Ebony is a stylist and host, sharing her tips and tricks on how to create an elegant yet wearable capsule wardrobe. In her third column, she shows us how to curate a timeless yet elevated capsule wardrobe to last a lifetime. Scroll on to see her looks and shop her picks to re-create them at home.
As the new year begins, it feels like the perfect opportunity to reflect on the pieces that have truly stood the test of time and those I’m excited to invest in for the seasons ahead. For me, this process has always been about curating a collection of timeless, elevated pieces that I can wear throughout the year, seasonally reimagined. With any new pieces, I aim to strike a balance between longevity and individuality, from everyday staples to embracing new risks in colour and silhouette.
In this column, I’m sharing a curated guide to my 2025 wardrobe—a mix of classic pieces and new additions that reflect my ever-evolving style. From the pieces I turn to on off-duty days to the statement looks I wear when stepping outside my minimalist comfort zone, each section represents a mindful approach to dressing that celebrates longevity, personal expression, and conscious choice. With a focus on intentional care and fresh interpretations of wardrobe essentials, I hope to inspire you to approach your wardrobe with thoughtfulness, joy, and with considered pieces that reflect your personal style and stand the test of time.
Intentional Curation: Reimagining My Timeless, Elevated Wardrobe for 2025:
1. Mindful Care, Sustainable Refresh
Refreshing my wardrobe for the year ahead, I’ve spent time sorting through pieces that no longer resonate with my style and it is so freeing to let go of those pieces knowing they’ll find new homes where they’ll be cherished. I’ve separated out the items that need a bit of TLC, sending some off to be repaired and dry cleaned. I’m ready to start a Vinted account, rehoming pieces that no longer work for me but will undoubtedly find a new lease of life in another wardrobe. There’s something beautiful about passing along clothes to close friends too, knowing they’ll restyle and appreciate these items as much as I once did.
With a fresh start in mind, I’ve been paying special attention to clothing care, ensuring that my wardrobe is maintained in the best possible way. I love everything that the brand Steamery creates, and their steamer, fabric spray, and fabric shaver have been transformative for my wardrobe care routine. Their new book, The Art of Clothing Care, has been an inspiring read; I particularly love the chapter that emphasises how small, daily rituals of clothing care can extend the life of each piece and ultimately create a more sustainable wardrobe. The simplicity of these tools makes it easy to maintain my favourite pieces, ensuring that they last season after season. As I refresh my wool and cashmere knitwear, I’ve turned to Soft Goat’s cashmere wash and wool comb and the ritual of caring for delicate materials feels grounding and intentional.
I’m also loving the brand Kinfill, not just for their ethos of sustainability and mindful living but for their elegant and effective product range. Their textile brush and foam stain remover are perfect for removing any stubborn marks on my new Ugg slippers and beloved Birkenstock clogs, keeping everything looking effortlessly fresh. Stylist Melissa Holdbrook-Aposse, known on Instagram as @melissaswardrobe inspired me to buy the M&S clothes freshening mist (#MMMDI—a widely used hashtag that credits Melissa for sharing her top lifestyle finds and recommendations) which has become a go-to for giving the items in my dress room a quick refresh with its delicate jasmine and ylang ylang scent. I even pack this in my suitcase to ensure my clothes feel revitalised on trips away.
I’m embracing neutrals in the most elevated way with the Dissh Clemence Oat Marle Knit Jumper and matching knit pant. The soft, oat-toned knitted set feels effortlessly chic, relaxed yet polished — the ideal combination for days when I want comfort without sacrificing style. As a new brand to my wardrobe, Dissh is effortlessly chic, blending relaxed silhouettes with “feel-good natural fibres, thoughtful detailing, and longevity in mind,” as Lucy Henry-Hicks, MD & Creative Director of Dissh, explains. Paired with Daisy Jewellery’s pearl drop earrings, the understated look is given a subtle yet elegant lift. The tonal palette flows seamlessly from head to toe, with my UGG Tasman slippers in the antilope shade grounding the outfit in cozy sophistication.
Shop My Picks:
soft goat
Boyfriend Turtleneck
Steamery
Pilo 2 Fabric Shaver
kinfill care
Set Textile Care
M&S
Clothes Freshening Mist
DISSH
Clemence Marle Knit Jumper
Steamery
The Art of Clothing Care
DISSH
Clemence Marle Knit Pant
Steamery
Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer
2. Reimagining Knitwear For Modern Comfort
As I reassess my wardrobe for the cooler months, I’ve been thinking about my long-standing love for timeless black and navy cashmere sweaters. They’ve been a comfort blanket for me – sleek crewnecks and roll-necks that I often wear with tailored trousers are an outfit repeater of mine that in truth takes little effort when styling. But this winter, I’m craving something with more texture and depth. While I still appreciate the simplicity of a classic dark knit, I’m feeling drawn to softer tones, heritage-inspired stitches, and playful slub details to mix into my weekend looks.
I was kindly gifted a rustic oat cardigan and Fair Isle sweater from Rails — both perfectly cosy yet with that extra visual interest to keep things fresh. My oat-hued chunky V-neck jumper from Navy Grey, with its beautiful heritage stitch, adds a handcrafted feel to my knitwear collection, while the pointelle wool grey cardigan from Ghost feels soft and elegant. Straight leg light wash denim pair perfectly with biscuit-coloured textured knits. For an easy relaxed weekend outfit, I would complete the look with either brown suede loafer or my new Ugg slippers paired with tonal cotton or cashmere socks. I just took my old pairs of socks to a clothing bank as textiles which can no longer be used can still be recycled. Instead of opting for my usual black pairs, I just added three different colourways from New Balance to my collection, along with a cozy cashmere pair from Soft Goat for the ultimate in comfort.
To bring these more heritage-inspired, textured knits into a modern aesthetic, I’ve been styling them with denim from my newly curated mini collection — curved barrel-leg jeans worn with my new favourite black ankle boots from Jigsaw, which are the perfect heel height to subtly elevate these casual pieces. For added refinement, I’ve also been incorporating sleek accessories like the Dehance Hollyhock buckle belt, which provides just the right mix of edge and polish.
Shop My Picks:
New Balance
Everyday Crew Socks
Navygrey
The Masham Jumper
Dear Frances
Drew Loafers
3. Modern Workwear & Sleek Finishes
Embracing a more elevated workwear approach this year, I am investing in matching tailored pieces as I love how I feel when in a full suit. This two-piece outfit gives me the option to wear a full impactful look or to style the separates with other pieces in my wardrobe. I was drawn to this oversized chocolate boyfriend blazer from Dissh with the higher-set buttons and subtle volume in the shoulders, creating structure while maintaining a relaxed, effortless vibe. I continue reaching for my Jigsaw leather ankle boots as I love how the almond-shaped toe subtly peeks out from under the matching high-rise chocolate trousers.
My wardrobe was lacking in belts and for meetings in London I was often stealing my man’s belt for the day! This semi-gloss black leather belt from Dehance adds a touch of refinement to the look. I love the brand for their refined and timeless belts and to me, a considered purchase of a beautifully made belt is an item that can be worn for years and feels like the ultimate investment.
While high-end designer bags will always hold a special place in my heart, I’ve recently gravitated toward contemporary brands that offer both practicality and elegance, with designs that are pared-down, and thoughtful in their detailing often with a price point that still feels like a treat but remains within reach. My new favourite bag from Little Liffner is sleek, easily fits my laptop and the gold belt buckle detail is minimal and considered. The brand uses traditional Italian craftsmanship, and the quality is simply beautiful.
I have the Desavary brown leather trench on my (very minimal) 2025 wish list and I think it would look great over this full tailored look with my Toteme brown suede tote (another beautiful contemporary handbag) to add depth in texture.
These Paloceras black pebble sunglasses have a distinct design that can elevates any outfit. The exaggerated, inflated shape is bold yet incredibly stylish, and the signature embellishment adds a unique, sculptural element that sets them apart. With the contrast of black accessories against the oversized brown suit, I’ve opted for minimal jewellery – earrings from Stephanie Yeboah’s collaboration with Ottoman Hands, inspired by Ghanaian symbolism and a delicate Zohreh V Jewellery diamond coin necklace that I wear every day.
Shop My Picks:
Paloceras
Pebble Double Sunglasses
Liffner
Belted Bucket Bag
Zohreh V. Jewellery
Diamond Coin Necklace
DeSavary London
Leather Trench Coat
ottoman hands
Stephanie Yeboah Earrings
Jigsaw
Leather Valerie Ankle Boot
4. Elevated Essentials For Off-Duty Days
Off-duty style is about the finding the perfect balance between effortless, comfortable yet elevated pieces where thoughtful fabric and refined silhouettes make all the difference. At the end of last year, I visited my friend Emma Thatcher’s presentation at the Yaitte showroom, where I immediately fell for the brand’s edited pieces. I loved the classic shirting but headed straight to this set that was merchandised within the edit. Speaking with the brand’s founder, Danielle Windsor, about her journey with the independent British brand and its honest principles drew me even further into the brand’s ethos. Yaitte’s approach feels perfectly aligned with my 2025 wardrobe vision, where each piece is crafted for both style and comfort, allowing me to feel polished and at ease.
For a more elevated casual look, I’m styling the brushed grey cotton melange shirt and trousers with my new Adidas trainers in the putty colourway. My new brown Whistles leather jacket adds a tougher layer against the brushed textures and makes the outfit feel more street-style inspired. I am a huge fan of the brand Whistles, and the leather clean bonded range is exceptional. Last winter the signature jacket received a fresh update to a classic trench coat design with an exaggerated lapel and wrap-tie fastening which I am saving for as my yearly coat purchase.
Another standout brand contemporary accessory brand is Manu Atelier, known for their modern handbag silhouettes in luscious fabrications. The Le Cambon style has become a bestseller, and this deep brown grained leather version with its soft, structured silhouette is the most stylish everyday practical bag. I’m now adding the larger black leather Le Cambon 45 to my wishlist—it’s the ideal everyday bag with its spacious design and understated elegance.
To add a bit of fun to the outfit, I added my Quay brown aviator sunglasses and a sleek chrome laptop case from Casetify. With the perfect balance between laid-back sophistication and practical ease, this outfit is ideal for days when I need to move seamlessly from running errands to meetings without feeling the need to change. It’s the kind of effortless style that feels polished yet comfortable, allowing me to step out confidently which is the focus in my style direction this year.
Shop My Picks:
Whistles
Clean Bonded Leather Jacket
Manu Atelier
Le Cambon 35
adidas Originals
Samba Ogs
Yaitte
Oslo Cotton Trouser
Manu Atelier
Le Cambon 40
Whistles
Clean Bonded Trench Coat
5. Daring To Dress Up: Stepping Outside My Minimalist Comfort Zone
While my day-to-day wardrobe remains minimal, there’s something special about dressing up for events or dinners that allows me to embrace a more glamorous side. This year, I’m focusing on taking bolder risks with colour and print, experimenting with longer, more dramatic silhouettes. Attention to the finer details like makeup, nails, and fragrance is how I start to build an evening look ensuring I feel polished and confident when stepping out.
Last summer, I wore a polka-dot dress to an event and was reminded of how much I love the elegance of a maxi dress. While casual in its silhouette, the way the fabric draped, paired with simple accessories, allowed the dress to take centre stage. I decided to step out of my comfort zone this year by trying out the stunning burgundy shade in the Asceno silk dress, a style I already own and love in black. The silhouette is the epitome of chic, and knowing how confident I feel in it, I felt ready to experiment with a new, more vibrant colour.
Pairing the dress with sleek black accessories from Dear Frances, a brand known for its thoughtfully edited selection of shoes and handbags, creates the perfect balance. The mesh booties peeking out from under the silk dress add a subtle edge, while the slim woven leather bag provides structure against the dress’s fluidity. Together, they refine the boldness of the dress, making the look feel both elegant and effortless.
To complete the look, I’m wrapping my braids in a royal pale blue and ivory silk headscarf. Also available at Whistles, the brand Sahara (founded by Amira Khan) seamlessly blends artistry with ethics, offering hand-drawn silk scarves with intricate patterns. All designs are hand-drawn and consciously crafted in the UK using luxurious silk twill that drapes beautifully.
I was recently introduced to Kjersten Bradley, the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Ryenn’s Eyes, who kindly gifted me some earrings from the brand’s collaboration with artist, filmmaker, and photographer Quentin Jones. This collection is a fusion of artistry and fashion, with organic, sculptural pieces that feel both modern and timeless. The subtle mismatching of shapes adds an unexpected, playful element to the look while still feeling cohesive with the intended look. I’m wearing the 14ct gold-plated sculptured drop earrings, and I love how the gold complements the richness of the burgundy dress.
For last minute evening looks, I often shop my own wardrobe and invest in statement earrings over a new outfit. Some of my new favourites include Soru’s crystal drop earrings and Daisy Jewellery’s double baroque pearl drops, both of which offer an understated elegance. As I continue exploring bolder choices in my event wardrobe, I love how these carefully chosen pieces allow me to stay true to my style while taking a few more risks. It’s the balance of drama and simplicity that makes these looks feel both fresh and timeless.
Shop My Picks:
Daisy London
Pearl Drop Earrings
sahar by modestmira
Sahar
Dear Frances
Balla Bootie
SORU CLASSICS
Crystal Drop Earrings
Ryenn’s Eyes
Sculpted Necklace
Dear Frances
Como Tote Bag
