In continuation of “Back to Basics: Closet Staples of the Well-Dressed Woman,” here are the five remaining items necessary for a perfect fashion foundation. These timeless classics are once-and-done purchases; they’ll beat the trends and last for years. And that’s good for everyone’s wallet, whether you’re shopping at Target or Chanel.
6. The pencil skirt.|
The pencil skirt is the heavy-hitter of a woman’s wardrobe. Classic, feminine and universally flattering, it’s the board meeting to PTA meeting skirt. A consistent winner in the workplace, it’s also a great night-on-the-town skirt and the perfect complement to wardrobe basics like the feminine blouse. Choose a fabric with a bit of elastane (stretch) for a figure-hugging effect, and keep the length at the knee, or a maximum of two inches above. Make sure it fits your natural waist without bunching or pulling across the thighs. While a body-conscious silhouette is the hallmark of this classic, no one wants to look like a sausage in a casing. Fitted is good. Squeezed is not.
7. The button-down white shirt.|
Once merely a workplace staple, the button-down white shirt has come into its own. It’s smashing under a leather bomber jacket, over skinny jeans or under a long sweater. While its construction is basic, there’s nothing that requires this shirt be staid or boring. Interesting details like ruffled cuffs, rosettes or pin-tucking make a classic like this one of-the-moment. Something else to keep in mind? A trim silhouette. A shape that skims your figure is flattering, easy to tuck into a skirt or slacks, and polished enough to be left un-tucked.
8. The cardigan.|
The cardigan is the best jacket alternative a woman can own. Low-maintenance and lightweight, it’s especially sweet over a dress or skirt, but can be equally edgy over a pair of skinny jeans, knee-high boots and a fringy scarf. It’s at home in a desk drawer to ward off office chill or in the backseat of a car to warm its wearer on chilly football nights. Pair it with a belt for a look that’s both on-trend and figure-enhancing. Seek out a cardigan that hits mid-thigh, and invest in higher quality fabrics for better durability. Cotton is great for spring and summer, but lightweight wool and cashmere will ensure your cardigan’s longevity for years to come.
9. The black trouser.|
Here again is a fashion basic that does double duty at work and play. It’s great with any of the wardrobe basics – feminine blouse, white button-down shirt, trench coat, even a nude heel (yes, black pants don’t always require black shoes). Punch up the luxe with pants that have a hint of sheen or a bit of weight - those that contain a bit of satin, silk or lightweight wool. A blend is fine, particularly because it will stave off the wrinkles and creases that usually accompany 100% silk. As a rule of thumb, it’s always better to “buy up” than buy down. Quality pays for itself time and again. Don’t skimp on length with this trouser, either. It ought to cover the leg at least past the ankle bone and “break” like a man’s trouser just above the shoe. The best cuts have a slight flare (remember the “trouser jean” rule – this balances a woman’s hips) and are always fitted to perfection – no pulling across the hips, no squeezing on the thighs, and for heaven’s sake, no muffin tops! Buy the size you are, not the size you want. It doesn’t cost much to take in the waist on a pair of trousers.
10. The nude heel.|
The nude heel is indispensable, because a nude shoe is a neutral shoe. If your favorite black heels aren’t making the cut with a particular ensemble, your next best bet is almost always a nude heel. And consider this: the nude heel makes the wearer’s legs look infinite (for darker skin tones, chose a darker neutral, like tan, bronze or chocolate – and the same effect applies). There’s a reason ice skaters and swimsuit-sporting beauty pageant contestants go “nude” on the bottom: it’s harder to distinguish where the legs ends and the shoe begins. And couldn’t we all use a little more fashion magic?
Sarah Perry i s an eleven-year native of the Baltimore area and has been writing for about that long. She i s the author of the fashion blog www.prayingforprada.wordpress.com, a style writer for www.BMoreMedi a .com, a www.ShopItToMe.com “Trendsetter” and a Baltimore fashion writer for www.Examiner.com. She’s also a lawyer, but don’t hold that against her.
Photo Credit: Tracy Dietrich| www.tracydietrich.com
