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Building a Timeless Winter Wardrobe with Stylist Jessica Steuart-Hoyler
Jessica Steuart-Hoyler has an innate understanding of what makes a strong capsule wardrobe.
The creative spent nine years working in London as a styling director in luxury fashion, before relocating home to Australia in 2020.
Now based in Sydney, Jessica is a fashion brand and creative consultant, and has recently launched RECIETY, a platform to discover pre-loved and vintage luxury goods.
Here, Jessica shares what to look for when investing in outerwear, and how to curate a wardrobe that will stand the test of time.
Tell us a little about you. What does a day in your life look like?
As a consultant and running my own business, each day is different focusing on multiple projects at the same time. I love what I do and I’m grateful for the variety and inspiration I get from people around me. A typical day might involve consulting on a project, styling a shoot, hosting an event, sourcing, admin or research for RECIETY, or spending quality time with my son, Fox.
Describe your personal style—are there particular designs you are drawn to?
I am drawn to oversized tailoring, clean lines and minimalist pieces with an interesting twist. I wear a lot of black and mainly keep my look monochromatic. Over time I’ve become more selective with my wardrobe choices. I love to find vintage and pre-loved pieces that have a history and tell a story.
Denim and leather are enduring wardrobe staples and always relevant. Paired together in these clean cuts, they create a low fuss, high impact look. The clean lines, minimalist jewellery and sharp heels make the look feel sleek. Styling sheer black stockings underneath the jeans, just showing at the ankle, and adding a bold earring would be an easy way to elevate this look for evening.
What makes a timeless winter wardrobe?
Investing in outerwear made from high-quality fabrics is key to building a timeless winter wardrobe. These pieces are designed to endure the test of time, and will become the foundation of your collection. A longline coat, a classic trench, a tailored wool blazer and a leather jacket, for example, are all versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down, and will see you through almost any occasion.
Choose pieces that resonate with your personal style and make you feel confident and comfortable, steering away from anything too trend-driven. Form-fitting turtlenecks, bodysuits and sheer stockings are great winter layering pieces, adding both warmth and a finishing touch to an outfit.
Additionally, taking proper care of your wardrobe items is key to ensuring their longevity. Store items correctly, pay attention to care labels, and invest in care items like a wool comb, fabric protector spray, dust bags and cleaning products.
What do you look for when selecting outerwear pieces for your wardrobe?
I prefer my outerwear oversized and extra long, with plenty of room to layer underneath. Versatility is crucial. I want my outerwear to work with a variety of outfits, reliably taking me from day to night and unexpected events. It should be able to effortlessly elevate a simple look, or add the perfect finishing touch to a more dressed up outfit.
Clean lines are a must for me, but I also appreciate interesting details. A classic silhouette in an unexpected texture, an exaggerated shoulder, or an extra long belt, for example, adds character.
A camel wool coat and tailored suiting are always a great investment. The structured shoulders and longline silhouette of this coat feel polished paired with the menswear-inspired tailoring—it’s a look that won’t date. With oversized proportions, I like to incorporate a fitted element like a fitted tee or bodysuit to balance out the look and avoid feeling swamped. I also like the idea of juxtaposing this structured coat worn with a fluid long slip dress for evening.
This soft coat feels like you’re being wrapped in a warm blanket. Styled with the indigo denim, it feels practical yet polished. This outfit is ideal for days running around with my toddler, relaxed weekends or when I want to feel comfortable but still put together.
