Wardrobe Staples Every Woman Must Have

Its the end of January and in other parts of the country they are piled high in snow and I am basking in the sun in beautiful 75 degree weather.  Only in California do we require immediate access to both our summer and winter wardrobes all year long and only in California can we find bathing suits next to the winter coats.  There is no vacuum packing my summer things and pulling them back out come April or May.  It could be December and I'm rocking a sleeveless dress and flip flops.  We anticipate Springtime as we can shop for the trendy new finds of the season. But what do we wear in December when we can't wear our winter garb and we have yet to shop for Spring?  We wear black, problem solved.  Just kidding. Well kind of.  Black garments offer many advantages: No one knows how often you wear them. Stains are difficult, if not impossible, to see. The color is flattering on every person and every body type. And with a black basic, you’re free to add color in other areas of your outfit and have fun with great accessories.

There are some items that you absolutely need ready and waiting in your closet. These make up the basis of your wardrobe; they’re the must haves, no matter what your style or the weather. Then there are the trendy pieces that can either be incorporated together with your classic pieces or worn on their own.  Then come next season we always have the classic pieces to build on that create a fabulous wardrobe.  

Happy Shopping!

Bisous et calin! (Hugs & kisses)

-N

Little black dress or "LBD"

Ah, the little black dress. It should be sexy, yet sophisticated. It should be well-made and fit like a glove. It should hide your flaws and accentuate your attributes. It can go from day (wear it to the office with a cardigan or blazer and a set of pearls and leather pumps) to night (take off the blazer or cardigan and add some makeup, jewelry, and heels).  Find one that makes you feel fabulous and make the investment because this is one piece that really gives you your money’s worth!

Black blazer

The black blazer is key in your wardrobe. I probably have about 6 of them.  A tuxedo jacket, one with quarter length sleeves, one that's studded and a little edgy, a couple basic ones that are each structured a little bit differently and because they are black, they go with virtually everything. You can change the look just by changing the accessories.

Although it doesn’t need to be ridiculously expensive or high-end, the blazer does need to fit you perfectly and work with your body type. If you want to appear taller or longer, choose a blazer that’s longer. If you want to accentuate your waistline, make sure it’s fitted in the waist area. Also, make sure it’s current. Avoid one that looks like something from the 80s- over sized with enormous shoulder pads are a big fat NO!  Just because its a blazer, doesn't mean that it looks good. 

Don’t be afraid to make the blazer your own: Add a favorite pin to the lapel or tie a scarf around your neck if you want to jazz it up when the occasion calls for it. A black blazer doesn’t have to be boring. Again, it’s a basic that you can build your outfit around.

Crisp, white button-down shirt

The white button-down shirt should fit you well. At first glance, your white shirt may look no different than the one your husband or boyfriend wears under his suits, but yours is made and cut specifically for you. It should be flattering and accentuate your best features.

You can wear a white shirt on its own, tucked in or out, under a sweater, under a jacket, or as part of a suit. Keep the following things in mind as you decide on your white shirt:

• Style: The more expensive shirts look a little dressier and need to be pressed (otherwise, they look messy), but if you’re buying only one, a dressier shirt is the way to go because it’s more versatile. If you have a great waist, buy a fitted shirt; if not, buy one that is cut straight.
  Less fancy shirts are also an option if you’re planning to wear the shirt casually. This type is good with jeans tucked in with a skinny belt 
  
  
  My favorite places to shop for a classic white shirt are Club Monaco, Banana Republic and The Gap.  

Black pants

A pair of high-quality, black pants are a necessity in every wardrobe. Stay away from pleats because they only accentuate an area that no one really needs accentuating! If you can buy only one pair of pants, select a length that matches the heel height you most commonly wear.

If you can buy another pair of pants, ivory is great to have (even in the winter). Winter white is a refreshing change in the darker months, and it shows that you have style and are daring enough to let everyone know it. 

Knee-length black skirt

Every woman should have a knee-length black skirt that fits perfectly and gives her a slim appearance. The particular style is up to you (and what looks good on your body type): It can be a pencil skirt or an A-line skirt. So that it can go from season to season.

Classic beige trench coat

The classic trench is a necessary staple because it never goes out of style and you can wear it in just about any season. If you stick to a classic trench coat, it will last you for years. When choosing a trench coat, follow these suggestions:

• Make sure the coat fits in the shoulders. You don’t want to be drowning in your coat. You should always be wearing your clothes; they should not be wearing you.
• Choose a style and length that gives you the look you want. Decide whether you want it to cinch at the waist or be looser fit. A belted trench flatters your waistline in contrast to your shoulders and the overall volume of the coat itself.It also looks cute as an outfit all on its own.
  If you plan to wear it over dresses and pants, make sure it’s long enough that your dresses aren’t sticking out the bottom. You can get away with a shorter trench if you are only going to wear it with pants or jeans.
• Make sure the coat doesn’t overwhelm you. If you’re on the smaller side, pick a coat that’s less busy, that is, has less going on with the pockets, lapels, buttons, and so on.
  
  

  Quality denim jeans

  Everyone should have a pair of favorite jeans — you know, the kind of jeans that make you feel sexy, pulled together, and comfortable. These jeans should be current in style, and the cut should be one that flatters your best assets. So figure out what your body type is, then pick the cut of your jeans accordingly. Some suggestions:
  
• If you have great legs, you may want a pair of skinny jeans.
• If you want to direct attention away from your waist area, choose a flared jean or a boot cut.

If you are only investing in one pair of jeans, go with dark denim. They are more slimming and more versatile. You can wear them totally casual during the day, and you can dress them up for night.

My favorite denim jeans are Hudsons, AG's and Seven for all Mankind.  Specifically, the AG's wash really well and bounce back to their original fit.   Both in boot cut and skinny styles.  Also, a helpful tip is when washing jeans, wash them inside out as they color won't fade as quickly.  Especially with dark denim or black.

White and black cardigan sweaters

Cardigan sweaters are great for those times when you don’t know what the weather will be like or if it’s the middle of summer and you get stuck in a ridiculously cold air-conditioned restaurant or office. If you get warm, you can always throw the cardigan over your shoulders and tie it around your neck, and if you’re chilly, you can wear it.

Set of pearls

A set of pearls can be a beautiful accent to any outfit. They’re perfect for the office and for a formal affair. Obviously, real pearls are expensive, so if you can borrow from Grandma — lucky you! If not, you can buy fakes until you're someone special surprises you with them someday. Pearls aren’t just for those who prefer classic styles. There are many ways to wear them, and a long strand can be worn and completely change the look of an outfit.  Just don't wear them so long that you get caught on doorknobs,chairs, etc.  Trust me, I know.

Pair of black heels

Black pumps go with everything, they won’t get too dirty, and they can also go from day to night. If you can afford only one pair of black pumps, go with a dressier pair; shoes are generally easier to dress down than to dress up.

When buying shoes, make sure they’re comfortable! Don’t expect them to “break in.” You’re going to spend some money on them because shoes tend to cost a bit more, so make sure they fit right.

Diamond studs . . . or cubics!

You definitely don’t want to leave your ears bare, and diamond studs go perfectly with everything. If you are heading to work in a suit and then out at night in jeans and a blouse, studs are the perfect complement. They’re classy, and you can throw them on without worrying whether they go with what you’re wearing because diamonds go with everything!