Sure, it’s a hoot to shop for makeup and jewelry, clothes, purses and SHOES! I have a bit of a shoe addiction, but what do you need when you are 1. Starting out in the corporate world, 2. School, 3. When you decide to get out of those sweats. These are my ideas. I would love to read yours.
Today, we’re going to talk about universal things. Not all of these are right for all circumstances, but most of them fit nicely into any of the lives I mentioned. Since I’ve lived all three lives, and more, we will start with the universals and narrow it day, by day, over the next week.
This is what I believe every woman should have in her closet. Do *YOU* need to have these? Heck no. This is just advice. Take what you like, dump the rest. I think it should go without saying that these need to be in your personal style. Hollywood Chic, Boho, Prep, Corporate, all call for different variations of these, oops, forgot romantic and a thousand others, but it should be said and there, I did it. Make these items your own. When I say, blue blazer (I won’t) think what you’re equivalent would be. A blue sweater you feel tailored and sexy in? Something with a military flair? Step outside your box and try on different trends. I’m conservative and wild, all at the same time. I have clothes that are both and work together. Today, I’m going over my wardrobe staples and my pattern staples in my vlog. It’s fashionista Thursday. So read this and follow me on twitter and face-book. For the full list.
Today, pieces to spend the bucks on.
A. Clothing
Jeans that make you feel pretty. Not mom jeans. Dear God! If it goes to your waist and flairs at your hips, avoid it. I like Old Navy Jeans. Why? They carry an array of fits and washes. Unless you’re rolling in it, don’t buy distressed new jeans. Go to the thrift store with tights under a skirt, and try on jeans until you find a pair you can distress. We will be doing this next week on my new vlog.
A sweater. Boho, or boyfriend, this should reflect you, and be nice enough for a date. I have a new H&M sweater that’s short, and military with gold buttons. It has limited seasons, so I spent very little on it. If it was Channel-like, I would have spent more.
Crisp white shirt. Never goes out of style. Put your bucks here. Again, make it yours. Don’t wear Brooks Brothers if the thought nauseates you. Just fine one you love.
Well fitted white T. Again, put some money in it and make sure it actually fits. Not a sloppy 3X Hanes. We all know you weight what you weigh. Celebrate it. You’re not hiding in that ratty old thing.
A slim skirt that skims your knee. Avoid the widest part of your calf. Not a mini either. You should be able to wear this in ten. I’m artsy-fartsy when I dress. I’m designing a slim skirt with zippers in it. The odder the places, the better. This is not what everyone wears, but it works better for me than a Brooks Brothers skirt and I’m getting what I want, to pair with one of my dad’s old Brooks Brothers shirts I altered, or the white shirt, or the sweater, T, you get it.
Black pants. Good ones. Ones that fit you. Lined is nice, if it’s a good lining. No front pleats, I don’t care that they are back in style. You’re hiding exactly nothing. I detest front pleats.
A longer fuller skirt. You can go short on this too, but if it hits your calf below your heavy part, that’s sexy and wonderful and fun. Your fabrics and style are what make it yours. I have to make mine. No one makes a pattern like it and I’ve never seen it in the stores. I’ve made this skirt in the same style in six sizes now. I’m making my final one this week.
A black dress. Wild, mild, everything in between. Do not sacrifice personal style to be conservative at funerals. Wear what’s you, but polished. Covet will send you a daily e-mail with good sales in it and allows you to tell them what you like. You can really find your personal style there and good ideas for purchases and things to sew. Don’t know how to sew? Get a good quality, inexpensive machine (I like Janome, Kenmore and Brother) and teach yourself the basics, or get a friend to. There are a billion easy patterns out there and the woman at JoAnn’s are happy to help you. Go first thing in the AM on a weekday. Take the time off. It’s worth it. Take some sewing classes, again, worth it.
a wrap dress. There is more than one style and some are mock wraps. I like a jersey with a nice hand (the way the fabric moves and flows on your skin and hand as you feel it). Smooth, flowey and an unexpected color, or pattern.
A good scarf. Save for a Hermes, buy a close one till then. Silk only. Thank you. What do you mean, what do you do with it? Belt, necklace, hair bow, fifties look, wrapped around your arm like a bracelet and tied in a bow (get help), use your imagination. They’ve never gone out of style. Oh, head wear, like a motorcycle goddess.
Jewelry
One pair real gold hoops, any size
One pair real silver hoops, or while gold
One pair pearls. Stop! I’, not talking fusty aunt Grace’s things, I mean freshwater strands that wrap around your neck forever, chunky odd shapes you string yourself. Any color, any style as long as it’s you. Can’t afford the real thing? Well, freshwater pearls are not expensive, but if you need fakes, get good fakes.
Cool ring, one in gold tone and one in silver. Please make sure your finger does not turn green under it.
bracelets. I own a wide variety. Watch. Mine are either sports, Ann Klein, or men’s. I want more and I will buy good knockoffs as long as they don’t say the designers name on them. That does hurt the designer.
Shoes
Tall boots
Short boots
pumps
sandals
exercise shoes
All in your style and all comfortable. Zappo’s is a great place for shoes online. I love them. Also Payless. Yes, Payless. If it’s trendy, that’s where I get them and I wear them a lot, because trends die.
Purse:
Your choice, quality.
Makeup:
Foundation (really research this)
Eye shadow (get one kind and learn how to use it, first. Then, you can go nuts)
Mascara, the best one you can afford
Lipstick. Try this on till you love it. If you can’t afford super expensive, go to Sephora and pick out a color scheme that looks good on you, make a note of it for the future, then march yourself to a drugstore and try to match it. You should be able to come close.
A good cleansing regime for your skin. Period. Spend on it, if you have to. This is your face and it’s important.
I read Makeup Alley like a good novel. The reviews matter to me.
There, I’ve hit most of it. Just the beginning parts and you will need to add pieces. Stuff that works long term. In artsy that would be anything. We can get away with maxi skirts when they’ve been out for years. We’re crafty. In classic, classic. Brooks Brothers and Talbots are good places to start, so is Coldwater Creek. You would not catch me dead in any of those stores. No wild. Goth? Well, you know where to go for that.
Take a friend who’s open minded and who’s style you admire. Take a mental health day together and prowl. Sales are great right now, even for in-season stuff. Hit thrift stores for a divine coat you can change the buttons on, make a belt for, embroider, paint on, make your own. I will NEVER buy a new coat again, as long as I live. I find amazing stuff at the local thrift store. Shop online. I’ll start with the links any day now. Oh, and if you’ve not subscribed to my YouTube videos, please do so. I’m having a contest and the winner gets Diorshow mascara in their choice of types and color. All you gotta do is sign up.
Have fun and play with your looks, till you know what you love. Don’t worry about what’s in style now. Make it timeless and classic, in your own way.
