10 Wardrobe Essentials: Bi-weekly fashion post

Ten Wardrobe Essentials   1. The little black dress or as it's commonly known LBD. The LBD should be able to go from work to an evening out so recommended fabrics are silk and matte jersey. With simply changing or adding a necklace, heels and a cute handbag your LBD will take to everywhere from a meeting at work to dinner date.  One can spend anywhere from $50 to $500 on a LBD just remember keep it simple and classic so it stays in your wardrobe. Mid level department stores always have a great variety to choose from be it Macys or Kohl's.  http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/dresses/PRD~416857/Ch aps+Ruffled+Dress.jsp   2. A great pair of dark washed jeans. Levis makes amazing jeans as they have for decades and they are always a classic. Paired with a beautiful silk top or plain white T-shirt jeans can take you also from day to evening. As for styles of jeans there are so many skinny leg to boot cut to flare--but the one that looks great on everyone are the trouser jeans, my personal favorite trouser jeans were recently purchased at Walmart for $20. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=1079157 1   3. The classic white button down skirt in cotton. This can be paired with your jeans, layered under sweaters, worn under a jacket or blazer, teamed up with a great skirt or shorts. Since whites rarely stay white it's best to buy a nice white shirt or two from somewhere like Gap or Old Navy as they can be tossed out when they get spots or begin to look worn. http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5441&pid=610859 &scid=610859012   4. A classic skirt whether it is a pencil skirt or an A-line skirt; skirts are feminine and flattering. The color can vary and should suit your style but sticking with a basic like black, tan, navy blue or brown will insure your getting great wear from your skirt. Paired with the plain white or black T-shirt, white button down shirt, sweater, jacket or blazer the skirt is multifunctional. Changing up the look of a skirt can be done easily by adding a chain belt, wide or thin patent leather belt at the waist or by adding a bright scarf to the waist. http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=19172 &N=1200011&pCategoryId=101&categoryId=185&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_18 5&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Dark%20Chocolate&defaultSizeT ypeFromCategory=Misses     5. The basic T-shirt in white and black are constant go to's. Now weekly designers come out with the "newest" T-shirt but let's be real they are all the same and there is no need to spend big bucks. I love Hanes men's T-shirts that can be bought at any mass retailer usually in multi packs of 3 for less than $10. Wearing them under blazers, jackets, sweaters, layering white under black - the plain T-shirt serves many purposes & nothing is as comfy to sleep in as a t-shirt unless you sleep stark naked and then you are my hero, I will be doing the same thing after PS. http://www.target.com/Hanes-Comfort-Fit-Crewneck-Tee-5-pk/dp /B001B58OII/sr=1-10/qid=1235680174/ref=sr_1_10/184-7965740-8 048111?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Ahanes&page=1   6. There are few things as classic as a trench coat & regardless of the climate you live in a trench coat is a piece you will wear in snow, rain, cold or on a brisk spring day. Think of the movie Casablanca and you see the iconic trench coats. My personal favorite is a Burberry vintage trench coat I found at a thrift store for $60. Trench coats are like the LBD they can range in price from $19 at H&M to $900 from designers like Burberry, DVF & Ralph Lauren. I'm particular I love the tan or kakhi colored trench as it goes with every color but trench coats can be printed or in bright color which simply add fun & personality to a wardrobe. http://www.spiegel.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=295 38190   7. The cardigan sweater is a staple again for all climates. Layering over the LBD or plain T-shirt or even the white button down the cardigan sweater works with jeans & skirts. Sweaters come in all gauges my personal favorite are cashmere as they are perfect for chilly weather in heavier gauges but they are remarkable in high gauges for spring and summer over sleeveless dresses. Prices vary depending on designer and gauge but one can never go wrong with the GAP cardigan sweaters they are wallet friendly and always available in a wide variety of colors. http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDis play?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=501820693 &Ntk=all&Nty=1&N=1000301&Ntt=cardigan&searchUrl=%2Fendeca%2F EndecaStartServlet%3FNtk%3Dall%26Nty%3D1%26N%3D1000301%26Ntt %3Dcardigan&R=02921585&IN_MERCH=true   8. Slacks or trousers are staples that work for all seasons like the classic skirts. Slacks and trousers are the only pieces that I recommend keeping in solid colors. Patterns, plaids & bright colors are not for the weak of heart and shouldn't be worn by everyone as it can distract and add weight to the lower body. Proper fit is key as with anything you wear having or knowing a great seamstress or tailor can make a pair of $25 pants look like $400 pants if they fit properly and flatter your body. http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/browse/product_detail_with_ picker.jsp?productId=prod1020002&parentId=cat60078&subcatId= cat790004   9. The fun dress .. more casual the LBD it is a bright or printed dress. It can be sleeveless, strapless, have long sleeves or short, it can be cotton, linen or jersey but it needs to be fun. It should be able to be dresses up or down like the LBD and should also be a go to piece. The fun dress can be a wrap dress, A-line, trapeze or column but it should be fun. http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDispla y.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.js p&event=display&prnbr=CK-219034&page=1&cgname=OSCLODRSVIL&rf nbr=2667   10. The blazer or jacket...never an easy fit but always able to change up an outfit. Fit is the key to this piece and there isn't really an easy way to find one other than to get out there are start trying them on. Unlike the skirts and pants or trousers jackets/blazers are great ways to add texture, color, pattern or pop to an outfit. Always be sure your blazer/jacket will button closed even if you never button it, it does show. Few things are worse than ill fitting clothes so insure your blazer/jacket fits through the bust first then the shoulders can be tailored to your shape and if the waist is too large that too can be taken in. http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1 7361&N=1200006&pCategoryId=199&categoryId=205&Ns=CATEGORY_SE Q_205&cid=g_ps&cid=PPC0001&gclid=COvvgMGM-5gCFSPxDAodhnmsmg& defaultColorNameFromCategory=Ivory&defaultSizeTypeFromCatego ry=Misses#ATLtop     **Now I would not tell you where to shop or how much to spend but what I will tell you is these wardrobe essentials can be found at Bloomingdales or Macys, Kohl's, Walmart or your local thrift or consignment shop. Remember to look for quality made pieces. Yes, you may find a trench coat for $300 and if you guess you'll wear that coat at least 10 times a month between September and April that coat will cost $3.75 per wear so is it worth the investment --Yes, if it is made well it is well worth it. This should apply to anything you buy, the more you wear it the more economical it becomes. Also know that if you do invest in your clothing and take care of it you can easily sell it on ebay or to a local consignment shop and recover some of the money you invested.     If you have questions please email me personally and I will be more than happy to answer your questions, I don't want to clog up the board with responses.