Bazaar fashion director answers your style conundrums and solves sartorial headaches

There are so many fashion questions we all have. We want the best wardrobe, the most versatile wardrobe, we want to know how to rejig an existing hoard, how to reinvent our style and so much more. While getting all answered may not be possible, here are some answers to tide you over until the next lot. 

My mother is taking me on a break to one of those fasting spas in Germany. What on earth should I pack?

As someone familiar with the formidable Dr Mayr, I can say with authority that you need to surround yourself with luxury while deep in the throes of detox—if you’re going to wish for death, you might as well do it swathed in cashmere. I find a Brunello Cucinelli tracksuit can cure most cases of hunger-induced misery. I’d also swap the hotel slippers for these delicious cream suede and shearling Birkenstocks, a collaboration with the Scandi loungewear brand Tekla.

I always make mistakes when shopping in the January sales and end up buying things that nobody wanted in the first place. How can I grab a bargain that I’ll actually wear instead?

Don’t think about how much you’re saving—even 95 per cent off isn’t going to make that one-legged sequin jumpsuit a good buy. Instead, work out what you want and see if you can find it at a better price: it’s always a good time to look at classics like a timeless trench-coat. For the more fashion forward, Me + Em’s black leather bomber says S/S 24, but is now half price.

My partner has given up on trying to choose presents for me and now wants a suggestion for a significant birthday.
Is there an investment bag that I can carry every day?

In a market where luxury handbags are selling for almost five-figure sums, it’s unsurprisingly difficult to find something that doesn’t feel too precious to take on the Tube. Louis Vuitton has two laptop-friendly options for about £1,500 (₹1,56,401)—the suitably named Neverfull and CarryAll. They come in various sizes, and you can opt for monogram or plain leather; stylish and purposeful, they’re the definition of a forever piece.

Help! I’ve had an infestation of moths and they’ve eaten holes in all my jumpers. What can I do to stop it happening again? And where should I look for replacement knitwear?

How to deal with moths is a frequent front-row discussion. Apparently, the V&A costume archive swears by bars of Yardley lavender soap tucked into socks and placed among precious garments, while the rest of us buy hanging traps and sprays from Lakeland. You do have to wash or dry-clean everything before zipping it all into sealed plastic bags for future safekeeping, though. As for replacements, another fashion-editor favourite is Uniqlo. It has every possible shape and shade of cashmere sweater for just £89 (₹9,279); M&S has a less extensive but also brilliant and affordable selection.

I’m bored by my winter wardrobe and want a refresh. What can I buy now and wear all spring?

Leather is a huge trend for the new season and works for all kinds of weather. Jigsaw is currently the hottest brand on the high street thanks to clever, modern takes on elevated basics—its long black leather skirt, with a seductive side split, is a quality piece at a reasonable price point. Unlike many mid-market brands, Jigsaw’s sizing stretches to a more inclusive 16.