What are the top things everyone should keep in their closet? I have gone and compiled a list that applies to both Men and Women, Can you guess what is on the list?
Here is the first part of the installment, talking about some good wardrobe ideas that will really expand your wardrobe more than you can believe.
Here is the first part of the installment, talking about some good wardrobe ideas that will really expand your wardrobe more than you can believe.
1. Good Jeans
A wardrobe essential is good jeans that fit, and boost your confidence. There are so many styles of jeans that would fit different body types. I know the difficulty, I have problems with having a big butt and hips to squeeze into jeans.
Solution: Medium to dark wash jeans with stretch, a boot cut or wide leg with balance out your curves and bust region. A mid rise will also cover everything and allow you to bend over without fear or gaping or falling out. Look for jeans designed for curvy women. Don't have lots of rhinestones and other embellishments, it will draw attention to the wrong areas, also don't wear anything with a fade pattern near your thighs, which will make you appear wider.
Muffin Top: A little extra love around your midsection is the vain of many women. But never fear, Jeans can be your best friends, and make you feel better about yourself a good fit will flatter and hide everything for you and shape other areas.
Solution: Mid-rise to natural rise will be great option for you, they will give you the slimming shape every women wants, even if she doesn't admit it to herself. I would also suggest wearing something slightly loose, not to big, but a good generous fit. Don't go for high rise jeans, while that may seem like a good option, they are more stiff and un-forgiving. Though you may find a good pair of high rise jeans that look good on and by all means, go for it.
Hourglass: The hourglass shape is what every woman dreams of, but in the real world, those with the hourglass shape, while fortunate, find difficulty with pants that fit and look good in all areas. I know I have difficulty finding jeans.
Solution: The solution to the hourglass shape is straight leg, it slims and elongates your figure and gives you a nice shape. If you have a rounder mid section, high waist pants will do wonders to help smooth you out. The best color is medium to dark wash and you will need stretch.
Solution: Mid-rise to natural rise will be great option for you, they will give you the slimming shape every women wants, even if she doesn't admit it to herself. I would also suggest wearing something slightly loose, not to big, but a good generous fit. Don't go for high rise jeans, while that may seem like a good option, they are more stiff and un-forgiving. Though you may find a good pair of high rise jeans that look good on and by all means, go for it.
Solution: The solution to the hourglass shape is straight leg, it slims and elongates your figure and gives you a nice shape. If you have a rounder mid section, high waist pants will do wonders to help smooth you out. The best color is medium to dark wash and you will need stretch.
Solution: Jeans with pocket slits are great to show off your shape. If you really feel you need a little extra ump in your trunk, try padding underwear. They fill out your backside and still look natural while not causing any extra pain for sitting or walking.
Men, your jeans matter too.
Don't think I forgot about you gentlemen, your jeans are important to you too and can make or break the meeting, interview, and other social realms would benefit the perfect shape for you too as well. Thankfully, fitting jeans to men is easier than women in some respects, but you still have to make sure everything fits in correctly, nothing buldge's, you feel comfortable and can move around. Even men should feel confident in their jeans.
2. Little Black Dress
The little black dress is more than just a statement, and something you wear clubbing in your twenties. Its a go to, casual and elegant dress that can be dressed up or down. Its something you feel and look good in while not revealing all your secrets.
Now, the little black dress can be anything you want it to be, something fun, casual, elegant, lacy, pencil, or even leather. There are so many options, just have fun with it. I myself have 3 black dresses, two are lace and knee length, the other is a pencil skirt dress with leather capped sleeves. It gives it a rocker, yet modern feel to the dress and its great for interviews, dates, or even a fun night out.
<-This is the dress I wore for interviews and pageants alike. I love the fit and how I felt in this dress. I do prefer my lace dress to anything else. But this dress is still fun and something I love having in my closet.
More great options with a little black dress are lace. I love the look and feel of lace and its a very popular option. It can look old fashion, but most lace has a modern and hip feel to it. This dress shows off the best of lace, and shape. Its a modern silhouette with great lace overlay and modesty in the same respect. My lace dresses are not this spectacular, they are both dresses I got for 8 dollars at Ross and while they were on the cheap side, they don't look or feel cheap. Both are fully lined and have a fit and flare shape to them. I love the scoop neck of the first one and the button up collar of the second. Both are unique and work so many thing beyond the duty of a little black dress.
Here are some of the styles I could think of for a black dress wardrobe essential. All of them are unique, have a shape of some type and would flatter different body shapes to please everyone.
I firmly believe in dressing for your shape and creating a style that suits your personality. I really love the long sleeve wrap dress and the halter style dress above it. Those are my favorite styles of this grouping. I know for myself personally, while I like the ruffles, I would tend to shy away because of the myth they make your bust appear larger. That is not always true. I have some ruffle shirts and they actually flatter my bust line extremely well and I feel good it them. Rule number 1. Please yourself first, your confidence and smile are the most beautiful thing you will every wear.
Even if you go to Ross or another discount shop and get a decent black dress. It will do wonders for your wardrobe and will be a great versatile piece to have.
Oh men, don't think you get off that easy, women have little black dresses, you have black suits. Men in black, while the movies were debatable, the look when pulled off correctly, is amazing.
These men know how to rock the black, The standard black and white is still completely classic and each one has his own twist. If you dare, add a fun tie or shirt or both. You won't believe the colors that can mix together and make a unique look.
Make sure you have clean pressed slacks that are not too tight, size is but a number, you look your best in confidence and what really fits best.
3. Trench Coat
The Trench coat may seem like an old idea that went away after the movie Casablanca. But I can assure you, its a great trending fashion that still holds great style for both men and women alike. I don't live in my trench coat, but its great for a quick jacket that matches with my dresses.
With so many styles. Finding a good trench coat that fits and looks food on your body type is easy. I like to shop at Burlington coat factory for mine. There are plenty of options and all reasonably priced. Some designer trench coats can be upwards of $200-300. While I am all about quality, that would have to be made of gold and hand spun wool or velvet to attract me. I stick with a $50 coat that is warm, structured and looks good.
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If the traditional tan is not your color, spice things up with bright, beautiful colors that are easy to combine with your every day wardrobe. Brooke, my sister who's artwork is posted on this blog, she has a great navy blue trench coat with a bell shaped bottom and belt to create a great silhouette for her and looks great with so many of her outfits.
Try and Experiment with different colors and shapes. You will be surprised with what you may enjoy with an open mind.
Try and Experiment with different colors and shapes. You will be surprised with what you may enjoy with an open mind.
The Dark Side of the Trenches
4. White Tank Top
Why a white tank top? because its your every day go to perfect undershirt and over shirt should be basic. I have 3 white tank tops.
One is racer back, (looks like a sports bra) and I have a few combinations i wear this with, one I add my favorite dress vest, its grey and black, unbuttoned and a long necklace, either gold, or a fun color. You can play around with white and grey. I also sometimes add my own scarf, usually my blue paisley style with fringe. I have also added a colored blazer that I will add with my white tank top. Its so much fun to be able to play up and down a tank top and it transitions so well for different occasions. Remember to wear a nude bra underneath, A white bra will show through where a nude bra will blend into your skin and not be noticed. I also wore another Cami tank underneath just because my girls couldn't hurt from the support and I liked the seamless look it gave me.
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The next great idea is to have a nice, slightly fancy white tank top that you can use for multiple reasons. This cute little top is great for a summer outing in the sun, or a nice little tea party. Its best to have a few on hand and have them looking nice at all times.
Men, don't forget your white shirt!
Men, don't forget your white shirt! The white shirt is such a basic need for both men and women that many men over look it. It goes under dress shirts, wear it by itself, or like a woman, dress it up with a jacket and some sunglasses, add a scarf to make it fun. This is really a huge need, I suggest buying them in a pack, you can buy hanes tagless in a pack of 3-6 for a decent price at most major retail shops and they will last you a decent amount of time. Wash carefully though!
Dress white shirts are also important for men, like this handsome gentleman to the left, you can see he has a relaxed look and still looks business casual, but he could easily add a jacket and transform his look. A tie, no tie, scarf, glasses suspenders all would change this to work well for him, and make the shirt his own. A closet must have, Women, it wouldn't hurt to have your own white collar shirt.
How To Wash a White Shirt
I know what your thinking "thanks mom, I really wasn't sure how to wash my own clothing." But maybe you never noticed, clothing you have had for a while starts to turn slightly yellow/beige or dark colors that are suddenly light when placed next to another. Here are a few tips for washing your whites.
1. Separate your white and dark clothes for each load. Does this sound like your mom yet? However, separating your clothing will help the dyes for each stay the same in each load.
2. Wash with Similar Fabrics. Have you heard this before? Its because most people today don't realize that wool, cotton, and delicates should all be separate. This will keep your fabric looking its best longer and will also keep the shape lasting longer.
3.Wash in Hot Water. How many of you have a pre-set on your washer and leave it for all your loads? Its common to do so, but keeping it set like that can actually be damaging to your whites as well as your dark's.
4. Pre-Treat. Depends on what type of stains you have. If you have a yellow tint, soak in 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. Let sit for a few hours to over night before you hang dry in the sun. Yes, Sun dry your whites before you wash them. This will get rid of the yellow and help keep them looking newer longer.
5. Perfect Go to Shoes
Heels may not seem like an important piece to have in your closet, but with so many different types of events, and necessary needs of outfits and the need for decorum. The same with Flats, can you think of the last time you needed a good pair of shoes and didn't have them, or didn't have.
I love to have a pop of color in my shoes. I have this pair of great Red Heels I wear with Jeans, Pants, Dresses, and Skirts, its perfect with almost everything I own. I rock red shoes like they are black. I also love the bow detail on them, adding a pop of fun and cute feminine detail, not that heels aren't feminine enough. I also have red flats for such occasions in which the heels are not the answer to my problems.
Red Flats are another great additions to the wardrobe and make for a great asset for any such occasion. If you are unsure of what to wear red shoes with, refer to my Color the World Blog post and it talks about some clever ways to wear colors together.If you are nervous about using red as a basic color, don't worry, there are numerous other options to choose from, Black is always a good basic and so is tan, nude makes great options.
1. easy to keep warm in colder weather and will work in more seasons.
2. Will be more professional and classy for all your needs.
3. Don't have the time to always paint your toes, this will keep them covered. Or, like me I have webbed toes and while I like the look of them, I don't always like people asking me about them.
Fun Fact: I once had a lady come up to me and ask "Did you know you have 4 toes?" as she looked at one of my feet. I was like "No, I had no idea I had four toes on one foot. Never saw that before"
Great Flats will also serve you well, These are a great brand called Born, they are super comfortable and I get them for a decent price at Nordstrom Rack. If you ever need good flats, spend between $25-35 on them. They will last longer, look good longer and will be more comfortable to wear.
Men
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I believe men have more options when it comes to shoes, the ones to the left show some good options that showcase the good casual, business and working options that can be used for multiple occasions that would be good to have. I like my shoes to be comfortable and would hope you do too, if the shoe isn't perfect, you can always buy insoles to help create extra cushioning when needed.
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