Wardrobe Must Haves
By Bridgette Raes
If you’ve been reading my newsletter for any length of time, you will know that I am not a big advocate of basics that everyone should own. I am convinced that what is a basic for one person isn’t necessarily a basic for someone else.
However, while I think that there should be individuality to the basics in your wardrobe, there are some things that are must-haves and that I’ve noticed that every client needs in her closet. Each client I work with has a very different style, but I find myself encouraging the following items, regardless of what their style and taste dictates. Here are my top ten “must haves” for your wardrobe and why you must have them.
No. 1: Accessories
Why: One of my recent clients recently made the comment, “Wow, accessories really do make the outfit!” When she said this, my intern, Lavita and I gave each other a knowing, “Uh, yea” look and gave our client pleased grins. This is what we had been telling her all along, so we were happy to see that she finally got it.
Accessories are the crucial elements that make an outfit unique and special. Best of all, they don’t have to be expensive. One of the reasons that many women don’t add accessories to their wardrobe is because they don’t know how to do it. The best way is to add color. Think of the colors in your wardrobe and look for accessories in those colors. In addition, include neutral-colored accessories, like tans and browns.
The next time you get dressed, don’t leave the house without adding an accessory that is unexpected for you.
No 2: Evening Bag and Evening Shoes
Why: When planning an outfit for a formal evening out, the one thing that I can always count on is that I have the perfect black shoes and evening handbag in my closet. It is often hard enough to find a perfect dress or outfit, so to know that you don’t have to worry about these two components is really comforting.
I recommend that you have a small black evening bag that is good for any evening event stashed in your closet, as well as a stunning pair of black shoes that only go out for a spin when you have a more formal evening planned. Even though you may not always wear black, in most cases women tend towards black in the evenings for formal events. The good thing about having shoes that are seldom worn is that they will always look good when you break them out. You should never wear a shoe that is worn out to anything after 5p.m. (or ever!).
No 3: Black Pashmina
Why: I don’t wear a lot of black, but I do own a black pashmina. I love the versatility of this scarf. I can take it for an evening out if I just want to protect my shoulders from the cool night air, or I can wind it around my neck during the day. While I often encourage clients to have a variety of colors in their pashmina collection, I always include black because it can go from desk to dinner easily, can be dressed up and dressed down. Most of all, because it is dark, it always looks clean.
You don’t have to invest in an expensive pashmina either. Just find a large scarf that is big enough to drape around you like a wrap, but is lightweight enough that it can also be wound around the neck without being too thick.
No. 4: Funky Sneakers
Why: Clunky workout sneakers should be relegated to exercise and not worn with your regular street clothing. Instead I think a funky pair of trainers with a little more personality, that are also a bit more delicate-looking, makes an outfit look more pulled together.
No. 5: Funky Blazer
Why: I don’t know what I would do without some blazers in my closet. They are great for this time of year when it still isn’t warm enough to run around without a jacket, but isn’t cold enough for a coat. I always go for a blazer with some personality, either an elbow-patch riding-style jacket or one with funky seaming, fabric or trimming. What I love about these jackets is they make a very basic outfit look fun.
When choosing a blazer for your wardrobe, choose something that can be worn with your favorite pair of jeans, as well as with more work-appropriate outfits, this way you can maximize the use of it. Choose a style that fits you well, not something oversized. Right now, the look for blazers is slim-to-almost-shrunken looking. So, this is what you want to look for in your blazer styles.
No. 6: One Pair of Jeans
Why: Okay, first you have to find a pair of jeans that actually fit you. Yes, last week I talked about the trials and tribulations of buying pants and jeans are certainly the toughest pants to find that fit. A recommendation that one of my clients made this weekend was J-Jill’s jeans which she said have a higher rise. A low rise is a common complaint I get from many of my clients and readers, so these may be worth checking out.
It is pretty obvious why one good pair of jeans is important in your wardrobe. Jeans are the American Basic. Like a blazer, you can do so many things with jeans. Dress them up or down for a night out, casual work, or a weekend running errands. Whatever it is, jeans just fit the bill.
No. 7: Flat Shoes
Why: Aside from the fact that everyone needs a good pair of flat shoes for walking distances, flat shoes are really popular right now. I have said that I avoid flat shoes because of my legs, and I generally do. However, I will wear flats with a pair of jeans or pants and my feet thank me.
Notice that I just said flat shoes. I didn’t want to get too specific because I think everyone’s idea of a basic flat varies. For some, it is a ballerina, for others it is a driving loafer and for others it is a variety of styles. The key is to look at your wardrobe and see what the right flats are for you to have.
No. 8: Knit tops
Why: Everyone needs basic knit tops in a rainbow of colors. When I say knit tops I am referring to fine-gauge knits that can be worn under jackets or alone. These knits should be in your most flattering colors, sit close to your body and accentuate your figure.
Afraid that having a plethora of colored knit tops gets boring because all you do is wear them back with black pants? Well, remember most colors that work with black will work with other bottom colors like brown, tan, olive and grey. And remember point one, throw on some accessories like a great necklace, a funky belt, a great pin. A knit top by itself is boring with a basic pair of pants. However, if you use a colored knit top as the foundation layer, you can add on accessories to complete the outfit. You will find that a basic knit top is the perfect thing to have in your wardrobe.
No. 9: White Button-Down Shirt
Why: Every woman should have a great white button-down shirt in her wardrobe because it’s versatile and can be worn a number of different ways. Sure there is the basic tuck-it-into-your-pants look, which can get mind-numbingly boring.
When it comes to a white shirt you really need to find some interesting things to do with it. Here are some options:
If you’ve been reading my newsletter for any length of time, you will know that I am not a big advocate of basics that everyone should own. I am convinced that what is a basic for one person isn’t necessarily a basic for someone else.
However, while I think that there should be individuality to the basics in your wardrobe, there are some things that are must-haves and that I’ve noticed that every client needs in her closet. Each client I work with has a very different style, but I find myself encouraging the following items, regardless of what their style and taste dictates. Here are my top ten “must haves” for your wardrobe and why you must have them.
No. 1: Accessories
Why: One of my recent clients recently made the comment, “Wow, accessories really do make the outfit!” When she said this, my intern, Lavita and I gave each other a knowing, “Uh, yea” look and gave our client pleased grins. This is what we had been telling her all along, so we were happy to see that she finally got it.
Accessories are the crucial elements that make an outfit unique and special. Best of all, they don’t have to be expensive. One of the reasons that many women don’t add accessories to their wardrobe is because they don’t know how to do it. The best way is to add color. Think of the colors in your wardrobe and look for accessories in those colors. In addition, include neutral-colored accessories, like tans and browns.
The next time you get dressed, don’t leave the house without adding an accessory that is unexpected for you.
No 2: Evening Bag and Evening Shoes
Why: When planning an outfit for a formal evening out, the one thing that I can always count on is that I have the perfect black shoes and evening handbag in my closet. It is often hard enough to find a perfect dress or outfit, so to know that you don’t have to worry about these two components is really comforting.
I recommend that you have a small black evening bag that is good for any evening event stashed in your closet, as well as a stunning pair of black shoes that only go out for a spin when you have a more formal evening planned. Even though you may not always wear black, in most cases women tend towards black in the evenings for formal events. The good thing about having shoes that are seldom worn is that they will always look good when you break them out. You should never wear a shoe that is worn out to anything after 5p.m. (or ever!).
No 3: Black Pashmina
Why: I don’t wear a lot of black, but I do own a black pashmina. I love the versatility of this scarf. I can take it for an evening out if I just want to protect my shoulders from the cool night air, or I can wind it around my neck during the day. While I often encourage clients to have a variety of colors in their pashmina collection, I always include black because it can go from desk to dinner easily, can be dressed up and dressed down. Most of all, because it is dark, it always looks clean.
You don’t have to invest in an expensive pashmina either. Just find a large scarf that is big enough to drape around you like a wrap, but is lightweight enough that it can also be wound around the neck without being too thick.
No. 4: Funky Sneakers
Why: Clunky workout sneakers should be relegated to exercise and not worn with your regular street clothing. Instead I think a funky pair of trainers with a little more personality, that are also a bit more delicate-looking, makes an outfit look more pulled together.
No. 5: Funky Blazer
Why: I don’t know what I would do without some blazers in my closet. They are great for this time of year when it still isn’t warm enough to run around without a jacket, but isn’t cold enough for a coat. I always go for a blazer with some personality, either an elbow-patch riding-style jacket or one with funky seaming, fabric or trimming. What I love about these jackets is they make a very basic outfit look fun.
When choosing a blazer for your wardrobe, choose something that can be worn with your favorite pair of jeans, as well as with more work-appropriate outfits, this way you can maximize the use of it. Choose a style that fits you well, not something oversized. Right now, the look for blazers is slim-to-almost-shrunken looking. So, this is what you want to look for in your blazer styles.
No. 6: One Pair of Jeans
Why: Okay, first you have to find a pair of jeans that actually fit you. Yes, last week I talked about the trials and tribulations of buying pants and jeans are certainly the toughest pants to find that fit. A recommendation that one of my clients made this weekend was J-Jill’s jeans which she said have a higher rise. A low rise is a common complaint I get from many of my clients and readers, so these may be worth checking out.
It is pretty obvious why one good pair of jeans is important in your wardrobe. Jeans are the American Basic. Like a blazer, you can do so many things with jeans. Dress them up or down for a night out, casual work, or a weekend running errands. Whatever it is, jeans just fit the bill.
No. 7: Flat Shoes
Why: Aside from the fact that everyone needs a good pair of flat shoes for walking distances, flat shoes are really popular right now. I have said that I avoid flat shoes because of my legs, and I generally do. However, I will wear flats with a pair of jeans or pants and my feet thank me.
Notice that I just said flat shoes. I didn’t want to get too specific because I think everyone’s idea of a basic flat varies. For some, it is a ballerina, for others it is a driving loafer and for others it is a variety of styles. The key is to look at your wardrobe and see what the right flats are for you to have.
No. 8: Knit tops
Why: Everyone needs basic knit tops in a rainbow of colors. When I say knit tops I am referring to fine-gauge knits that can be worn under jackets or alone. These knits should be in your most flattering colors, sit close to your body and accentuate your figure.
Afraid that having a plethora of colored knit tops gets boring because all you do is wear them back with black pants? Well, remember most colors that work with black will work with other bottom colors like brown, tan, olive and grey. And remember point one, throw on some accessories like a great necklace, a funky belt, a great pin. A knit top by itself is boring with a basic pair of pants. However, if you use a colored knit top as the foundation layer, you can add on accessories to complete the outfit. You will find that a basic knit top is the perfect thing to have in your wardrobe.
No. 9: White Button-Down Shirt
Why: Every woman should have a great white button-down shirt in her wardrobe because it’s versatile and can be worn a number of different ways. Sure there is the basic tuck-it-into-your-pants look, which can get mind-numbingly boring.
When it comes to a white shirt you really need to find some interesting things to do with it. Here are some options:
- Put a bright-colored camisole underneath it and unbutton an extra button so the color peeks through.
- Use a decorative brooch to close the white shirt vs. just buttoning it
- Wear it open with a fun t-shirt underneath
- Steal a neck-tie from your boyfriend or husband and go for the corporate look
- Try wearing it beneath a vest or sweater
- Use safety pins and make it a wrap style instead of buttoning it
No. 10: Tan Shoes
Why: Most people think that black is the most versatile shoe color out there, but I have to disagree, I think that there are many shoe colors that will get more wear and look more sophisticated. My favorite shoe color is a light tannish-brown. I think that this color of shoe looks better with navy, is more elegant with a basic pair of pinstripe pants, and even looks great with black. Yes, this look is very classic and if you are petite it is probably be best that your shoes match your pant color. But for you petite ladies out there, and anyone else who wants to give off the appearance of longer legs when wearing skirts, the closer your shoe color matches, the longer your legs will look.
(c) 2005 Bridgette Raes Style Group
posted by Unknown @ 4:04 PM
