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10 Essentials Every Woman Should Have in Her Closet
The Budget Fashionista | DivineCaroline
November 21, 2008
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If you hear yourself uttering this statement more often than not, you have a dysfunctional closet. It is probably missing several key pieces that allow you to easily transition from one outfit to the next. It’s time to stop the insanity and get a functional closet.
The perfect ten — ten classic pieces that should be in every woman’s wardrobe — is the best remedy to a dysfunctional closet. It’s truly amazing the number of outfits that can be made when these ten items rest in your wardrobe: at least thirty-two different combinations.
Along with your signature item, the majority of your shopping dollars should be spent on classic, well made versions of these items that fit your personal style.
Here are the 10 things you need for a functional closet:
First Essential Item: Black Suit →
Featured Author: DivineCaroline
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songwriter
10 days ago
40 comments
I too agree with most of this... despite the fact that I love colors, I have a lot of black clothes in my closet since it is the most formal or professional looking... however white does not look good on me and gets dirty too easily, so I don't really have a white dress shirt... or a white tee... and I don't wear pumps because they hurt my feet and my feet are more important to me than fitting an image, so for interviews, I wear black slip-ons that are hidden under my pant legs... What I don't agree with is all the advertising on here. The stores listed are all expensive. Why pay $50 for a pair of jeans when you can pay as little as $7? I absolutely love Ross and also go to Marshall's sometimes and am not afraid to admit it... those places are great, as long as you don't mind occasionally having to put up with not finding things in your size or other customers who bring their loud children into the acoustically-challenged dressing rooms.
EbonyRose
14 days ago
22 comments
I agree with most of this list, however...I must disagree respectfully with the black suit item - not everyone of every coloring looks good in black. Better to take a few minutes, go through your closet and find the things you wear the most, or the garments you get the most compliments in - the compliments like "Have you lost weight?" or "Did you just come back from vacation? You look awesome!". Those are the colors you can feel comfortable buying an "investment" suit in. Remember that you want this suit to last you a while - perhaps as much as 3 - 5 years, depending on your career, so you also want to pick a classic style, and as one commenter mentioned - get it tailored to fit YOUR body.
Build the other items around the suit - make it more versatile. The jeans would be casual-Friday appropriate if they were in a dark denim, and without a lot of the decorated pockets that you see on trendy jeans. Don't be afraid to have these hemmed to work with your favorite pair of shoes or a versatile heel height - nothing looks worse than too-long jeans frayed at the hem. The spandex shirts should read spandex-containing...a spandex shirt would NOT be business-appropriate, but one with 2-5% spandex for comfort and a little "give" would be terrific. Consider french cuffs so you can wear cufflinks for that added "oomph" to your ensemble. The same with black pumps - pick a color that coordinates or subtly contrasts with your suit - you want them to be more versatile. Once you've built a good basic shoe wardrobe, then you can experiment with trendier colors.
Whatever you decide to make part of your essential wardrobe, when you're shopping, look for things that you LOVE and will love to wear otherwise they will just sit in your closet, taking up space and precious resources. If you don't LOVE it, don't buy it - no matter how good the bargain or how cheap the price.
One more piece of advice - consider having a professional color analysis done - you may find that navy is better for you than black, or chocolate brown is better than tan. White shirts may just suck all the color out of your skin, while ivory makes your skin glow and you look more alive and healthy.
nevadagardener
15 days ago
14 comments
1) Basic ideas are good. However, agree that not everyone looks good in black! And not everyone looks great in a little black dress, so cliche'! Everyone needs a just below the knees black skirt and black pumps at times, but pick out a jacket that makes you look hot in your signature color, and build around that. Another just below the knees, fitted skirt in your signature color, and you can even pick out some longer, flowing, floral prints over time to mix it up. Get dressier T's in your signature color, too, doesn't have to be black and white. Mine are green and white, and a few different tones of green that I can work with the separates. Sometimes it's the white T with the floral skirts that have white in them, other times it's the jacket with any of the blouses with the fitted, knee length skirt. The long-sleeve white cotton (button-down w/collar) shirt can be in your signature color, too! Sometimes you'll wear it open, like a jacket, over the top of the tee, with the skirts in summer, or on top of the jeans. After you make a couple of bucks, add a short-sleeve cotton shirt that buttons with a collar, and that can work with the jeans or the plain skirt, showing a little calf, or add the jacket, again, to dress it up, or trade out the shirt for a T, and it works together instead of the little black dress. I have found a knee length denim skirt is also a great wardrobe essential, for when it's hot out and you have tanned legs, but when you need to dress up a little in summer, shorts are inappropro, and it's too hot to wear tights or hose. Also, need a brown leather pair of sandals that can go with the denim skirt or the jeans, to dress it up impromptu in the summer instead of the black heels or the sneakers. Keep your suitcase packed with these basics, and trade them out when you wear them, so you're always ready to go. If all your clothes colors match, everything you have always matches.
g4cacho
15 days ago
8 comments
I love this article and I have all of that in my closet, so I guess I'm on the right track
changinglifestyles
15 days ago
2454 comments
Very good article. These fashion staples continue to stand the test of time. As you begin to follow this in your twenties, you will see you automatically keep this in mind. In your 50's your closet will still use this information as your rule of thumb. I have followed this rule since I was 18. (Yes, I am a youthful 55).
Laur
15 days ago
6 comments
I've always found nice, affordable suits at Zara...
I would add a black cardigan to this list. It's my go-to item!
bethanierose
15 days ago
680 comments
Does Whimsey4you write for this site? If not, she should. Great advice.
As for the article, I have to go with the others and disagree on the spandex t-shirts, they don't look good unless you are in perfect shape, which most of us arent! And I must say I disagree with the advice on sneakers. If you can afford to keep a separate pair of shoes for working out and for running errands, you should. Your body will thank you down the road.
Excelle_Editor
15 days ago
546 comments
CJohnson, I agree -- I've also found that Ann Taylor has a great selection this year. I have often thought of their clothes as being a little too plain for my taste, but these days I'm loving everything I see on their site. I think they've revamped their look. Most of it is also pretty reasonably priced.
CJohnson
15 days ago
16 comments
The best place to get a lot of what was mentioned here is also Banana Republic. And, a lot of their styles are timeless and classic.
Secondly, I don't think spandex tees are needed. The cotton fitted tees from Gap that have maybe 5% spandex work just as well for me and they look no different.
chianna8
2 months ago
6 comments
The spandex t-shirts should be top quality, like the ones Express used to sell...I never considered them for work. Although they do look best of a fit torso...still working on that part - LOL The list helps focus on the building blocks of a professional wardrobe...once you have had the job a while, my guess is you could branch out a bit and add more of your personality into it...but this is great for interviews!
AnnMP
2 months ago
28 comments
Yeah no. No one should ever wear spandex t-shirts. I can't wait until they go out of fashion.
Whimsey gives the best advice in this whole thread, regardless of your size.
Account Removed
4 months ago
some of the basics listed like the black suit, great jeans and a black dress are right on. However the rest seems to be a bit bland of an approach.
teslacuna
5 months ago
18 comments
Good accessories wil complement the 10 must have for working women..a fashionable belt,scarf will do...
Account Removed
5 months ago
Great advice. I have all these items in my wardrobe...so it seems I'm on the right track. In fact I am wearing right now jeans+white shirt :)
lil5firecracker5
5 months ago
4 comments
No offense, but I hate xxxl people complaining about not being able to find clothes that flatter that size figure. At least you can loose weight and fit into something proper. I have to buy too large clothes and have them downsized because clothing retailers are moving away from traditional sizing and making the measurements bigger. Sorry, but if you wear a size 2 from Ann Taylor Petites you are really a size 4-6. Make clothing its proper size!!!