Ahh yes, the ‘top 10 things every closet should have’. It’s THE list to beat all lists, and if you just had THOSE things in your wardrobe, you’d be set! Right?
Um, well, kind of. I don’t even want to admit how many women’s closets I’ve been in over the years (which sounded really funny in my head – as I typed it). I wish there was a magical list that would work for every woman, every lifestyle, every budget, every climate. Even Tim Gunn has his list of 10 things. I think all stylists, wardrobe consultants, image consultants (whatever label you want to put on us) – we all have a list.
My list is a guideline to get you thinking about making the most out of what you have in your closet.
Think of those 10 things as the bones of your wardrobe. The things all outfits you pull together come from. Your lifestyle is specific to the wardrobe you need to build. For example, there is no reason a woman who works out of her home, who never goes to social events, who is uncomfortable in skirts – should stress about adding the LBD to her collection of 10-things.
Keeping practically in mind, here is my ‘starting point’ list of 10-things:
Pic 1 – Nordstrom
Pic 2 – Nordstrom
Pic 2 – Berek Casual pants
Pic 3 – White Linq Tee, Black Papillon convertible skirt and necklace by Just Be Designs
BOTTOMS
Jeans – everyone needs to invest in a nice pair of jeans. Something in a dark wash, with no distressing, or aging. Make sure they are hemmed appropriately for your shoe height.
Dress Slacks – generally, I suggest black trousers because they are so versatile. Something that has a plain front and back. No bells and whistles.
Casual Pant – think nice sweat pants….only nicer. Something you can comfortably travel in. I have a pair that is velour (nice velour, almost velvet; not 70’s creepy guy velour). I can actually wear them with a silk blouse and heels, and then turn around and wear then with a t-shirt and lounge on the sofa. Versatility – NICE!
Skirt – something easy to wear, flippy, that you can dress up with a nice top, or dress down with a t-shirt. Even something that can be pulled up and worn as a dress – this option makes this one piece even MORE versatile (as shown in the photo).
TOPS
Pic 1 – White "Wrap" Samuel Dong Blouse with Papillon Pants (w/ Necklace by Chic Allure)
Pic 2 – White Linq tee, Black Papillon convertible skirt and necklace by Just Be Designs and black Papillon belt
Pic 3 – Animal Print Wrap top by Nueva with Black Papillon Pants
Plain White shirt – something that can be dressed up or down. Something in a style that flatters your figure (for example, princess seaming) .
White tee shirt – the sleeve length is going to depend on where you live. If you are near the equator, then something with long sleeves is silly.
Top in a palate color/print – What color looks best on you? What color palate is your wardrobe based on? If your lifestyle is casual, then this shirt should be more of a casual nature. Generally, a good option is something like a wrap top in a print you can wear under the jacket / dress slacks, and that will match your skirt.
JACKETS
Pic 1 – White Linq Tee and Wendy Katlen Blazer , Jeans by Pure Color, and Cross Necklace by Tarina Tarantino
Pic 2 – Jeans by Pure Color, Linq Tee , and add Nicola Berti brown bomber back (shown with Italian Cashmere ruffle scarf)
Jacket / Blazer – dressy – something you can wear with your dress slacks, or that you can dress up your jeans with.
Jacket / Blazer – casual – for example, a jean or leather jacket.
OTHER
Pic 1 -Red Wrap Dress by Gizel (shown with black onyx necklace by Sally Ruman)
Dress – something that is seasonless. You will be able to dress this up with your dressy jacket, or dress is down with the casual jacket.
CREDITS – many thanks to Vanessa from Flourish Boutique for collaborating on this article, for providing most of the photography – and for having a great inventory of perfect things for this piece!
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Kathy Friend is a wardrobe coach, fashion consultant, stylist, image consultant – and all that good stuff. To get more tips and tricks, visit www.FashionAnswers.blogspot.com – or www.KathyFriend.com
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I have every single one of these things. YAY! Go me!!
Britt – that is because you are fab!