Only when you put together a good basic wardrobe--can you begin to have true great style.
It starts by having 60-70% of your wardrobe basic pieces. That's a lot more than what most women have in their wardrobes. Often women have 25-30% basic items and the rest are odds and ends (impulse purchases).
For an article of clothing to be considered a ‘wardrobe basic' it must be:
__Versatile. It needs to go with lots of different things and be worn a variety of different ways.
__Good quality. It will be worn often, so it needs to be the best quality you can afford.
__Classic styling. It shouldn't go out of style quickly because it is a wardrobe staple.
__Good fit. It is worn often, it must fit you well and make you look your best.
__Flattering color (or colors) that works with most of your wardrobe.
Keep your style current! Don't collect clothes year after year...if you haven't worn it in a year purge it!
Thanks, Leslie, this came at just the right time! I purged my wardrobe recently, and I don't have too many things left. I ordered 4 long sleeve t-shirts from Lane Bryant, and I have 3 jeans, 2 in dark rinse denim and 1 in gray, plus a pair of navy twill chinos, but I have a hard time seeing how everything is going to work together. However, using these criteria, I see that I have good basic pieces. I just have to figure out how to get everything working together. It's kind of like being the conductor of an orchestra - you have to make sure everything works together to produce something beautiful. Thanks for some food for thought!
ReplyDeleteHello Leslie, what a great idear. I will do that asap. I love to follow your blog, and get new idears.
ReplyDeleteIm also learned from you to buy a lot basics and that its the importend thinks to have have in my closet. Thanks.
Have a great week-end
Lis
Edith, To figure out how everything is going to work together...think completer piece. Sounds like the L/S t-shirts and colored jeans are going to be the "base pieces" for lots of casual outfits. So now, ask yourself: What sweaters vest, jacket, scarf, handbag, shoes and necklace are going to help you create an outfit with these basics? I like your analogy of being the conductor of an orchestra...it's a good one. Certain musical instruments create the beat of the song...while the other instruments create the melody (obviously I'm not a musical type person, but I think you get what I'm trying to say). It's all about the main stuff, then the layers added on...
ReplyDeleteLis, Thanks for your sweet compliment :) It really is about great fitting basics...then taking it from there.
Thanks for your response, Leslie! I usually don't use accessories, but I'm learning to use them more frequently. I have a nice selection of jackets, from casual to dressy, that I can use to create multiple outfits. I found the recent Style Article about jackets to be very helpful, as well.
DeleteThanks for all you do to help us increase our style quotient!