Style Essentials
Do you have a reliable arsenal of wardrobe basics that you depend upon, day after day? I know that I do. I started thinking of the tried and true pieces that are necessities in my wardrobe and compiled a list. Some have been in my possession for as little as two weeks and some as long as nine years but they are all equally important. The watch, the jacket, the bag, the shoes and belts that all play a part in my overall look are listed below. It’s never too late to build your own collection of style essentials!
Studded Belts. A few weeks ago, I bought two super skinny belts with mini rows of studs at Forever 21 and have been wearing them nonstop ever since. Besides the one shown, I have a solid black studded version as well. To me, they add a dash of hard-edged glamour to any outfit and work equally well with dresses and pants.
A Great Wallet.
For four years, I carried around a cheap vinyl wallet that I had bought at a mall somewhere in California. Finally in February, I was sitting in Hawaii on vacation and realized that every time I opened that old wallet, it reminded me of my past. It was time to never look back. So, I walked into the YSL boutique and bought this black beauty on the spot. Think of how many times you open your wallet in a day; isn’t it worth it to have one that you love? As a side note, that really is Yves Saint Laurent’s handwriting on the front! How cool is that?!
Non-Black Shoes. Of course we need black shoes in our lives, but a more neutral option should be close by as well. I dislike brown so I usually settle for grays for neutals. These Dries Van Noten wedges from Fall 2007 are my absolute favorites. Besides being nearly indestructible, they’re pretty comfortable as well (thanks in part to a hidden platform).
An Oversized Bag. Admit it; sometimes you really do need to lug around everything but the kitchen sink. There are some days when I need to pack a lunch, a book, camera, sweater and god knows what else. This bag saves me from having to carry around a tote. All-in-one and worth every penny! I bought this back in April and have used it nearly every day since.
Everyday Black Shoes With a Twist. We all need black shoes but that doesn’t mean that they need to be boring! My Camilla Skovgaard ankle boots work well with skinny black pants and leggings, add some major height and the treads are perfect for rainy Portland winters. The extreme wedges do take some getting used to but by my third day of wearing them, it was like second nature. Invest in good shoes! Always!
A Reliable, Basic Watch. I absolutely swear by the Nixon Chalet. It’s solid, simple, tough and sleek all at once. And, it goes with everything.
A Shockingly Bright Burst of Color. We should all make room for the occasional ridiculously over the top accessory to liven things up. I love wearing these Dries Van Noten heels with an all black ensemble for an unexpected burst of color.
Basic Black Jacket. This Halogen zipper jacket is like my security blanket. My mom bought it for me during my first semester of college back in 2000 and it’s made it through major moves, travels and career changes without getting lost. The sleeves and bottom half (not shown) zip off. I’ve owned dozens of other coats since but nothing has quite captured my heart in the same way.
Readers: What are your style essentials?
Tags: Consumption, Fashion, Style
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29 People have left comments on this post
That coat is one of my favorite pieces. It still looks current and hip after all these years…, plus, it wears like iron!
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Among other things, I have what I call my typical “high school punk rock hoodie”, with a giant cut-up Tank Girl tee shirt cut up and sewn to the back, the sleeves have patches (Skinny Puppy, some cute Robot) and there are buttons all over the front kangaroo pockets. It zips up the middle and has little wooden beads on the hood strings. The best part though? It has the little finger-holes I wore into the sleeves for my thumbs. It’s totally like home.
Other than that, for me, it’s the Black Skirt. I could match anything with the Black Skirt, I have about 3 that I use. One a circle skirt (my personal favourite) and the other two of varrying styles. But, with that, I can def do anything with it. Stylewise.
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hello nubby, great article. it’s so great to see those essentials of yours and remembering all the outfits posts that i’ve seen them in!!
i guess for me, i don’t have one particular “style”; i dress day-to-day in really different outfits based on my mood. one day i’m the mode girl in black, one day i’m a harajuku girl, one day i’m miss preppy…. it all sort of depends. i guess that’s why my wardrobe is exploding.
i do have my essentials though, items that work with ALL my looks. my comme des garcons vest… my harem pants… my hats… ok i have a lot of essentials. haha. this might be a good opportunity for me to think about it and narrow them down!
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Currently I cannot live without:
-my black leather jacket
-perfect jeans
-white mens tuxedo shirts
-red lippy (yes, it counts as a clothing item, I think)
-vintage black apple ring
-cashmere vnecks
-white cotten tank tops
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- knee-high boots in brown/black
- tights
- scarves
- knee-length skirts in brown/black
- red accessories! (red Paul Frank iPhone case, red Indian – continental, not Native American – wallet, red keychain charms, etc.)
- living in New England, I dress in a lot of layers, which include wrap sweaters.
I try to cultivate a sort of masculine-femininity, if that makes any sense. Far from being androgynous, I take things like my boyfriend’s cast of sweaters and add them to my skirts and pearls and scarves in homage to the tomboy I was a child.
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I have that wallet, too! For some reason when I saw the handwriting I thought, this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I’ve had a couple new wallets since, but I keep coming back to this.
LOVE those black shoes!!
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I have worn my American Apparel black dresses to death and have no plans of stopping. 1 is a tank dress, fitted, with a low scoop front for layering. The 2nd is a tee dress. I wear either one in a pinch, accessorize them as needed, and they are definitely my go-to for dates. Those, and shiny black leggings.
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My black Levi’s jeans – I would wear them every day if I could.
My white Nixon Chalet watch – I bought it over two years ago and wouldn’t think of ever replacing it. I’ve gotten so many compliments from it.
My denim blue Converse sneakers – I actually hate Converse sneakers. I think the hi-tops are revolting. These are a different style so I broke down and bought them.
My black and gray super long button up shirt – this is usually worn with my black Levi’s.
A black tank top
A knit hat
Black ankle booties
Black eyeliner
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I am absolutely in love with your YSL wallet. I am completely lusting after one.
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My go to list includes a pair of dark-ish denim jeans, a black draped leather jacket, the Acne wedges (all black with a twist!), and an oversized bag. Necessities. All of them. =D
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hmm If I’d make a essentials list I’d go with
1. black pea coat which I caught on sale half off, its getting cold in colorado i’ve worn it almost everyday since i’ve bought it.
2.messenger bag – holds my cell phone, camera, laptop without looking like a man purse.
3.levi 501s
4.black shoes for when i’m indecisive
5.i’d agree with your shock of color, i’m known for my colorful shoes
6.red blackberry pearl – red is my favorite color and this phone is my life line, i’d be lost without it, I have a horrible memory when it comes to real life stuff.
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My fav. red shoes (see here http://design.bscphoto.com/designblog)
My fav. pair of grey jeans (i used to be all blue jeans and now all i wear are grey jeans
My long black velvet jacket (I live in New England as well)
Circle Scarf from American Apparel
Grey and red striped cheap belt (buckeless)
black skirt
flat black and gray mary jane type shoes
I think thats it.. Oh yea, and my red nail polish
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This post was amazing!!
One of my favorites!!
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AND I ABSOLUTLY LOVE YOUR WALLET!
i want a white one just like that!!!
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On the guys side of things I would have to go with the following.
1. My Black Varvatos Chuck Taylor high tops with the elastic multi-laces. Just different enough to give them a totally different feel, and far more heavy duty than my other pairs of destroyed chucks.
2. My black Chelsea Boots by JUMP, very worn in looking and a bit beat up, which just makes them even nicer.
3. Mens Scarfs, linen or wool, in all different styles and weights, Its almost becoming a collection. I wear these year round as the weather in Buffalo can be rather chaotic. But especially during the nasty Buffalo winters.
4. Very worn in bootscut charcoal jeans, , these are pretty beat and and are just starting to get that perfect aged look.
5. Black velvet blazer, well fitted, can be dressed up or down anyway you want.
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i like the way you’ve invested in some “statement peices” you know what you like and probably dont buy tones of crap, instead buying stuff you know you’ll love for along time
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Everyday the things that make me most happy to wear would be:
-wearing my photo slide necklace
-my worse-for-wear yellow chucks
-dark blue diva fit skinny old navy jeans
-black eyeliner
-blue metal bangle with floral details
-a cardigan
-a mini rap dress
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I kinda want your wardrobe!
My style essentials are the ones that appear a sickening amount on my blog:
- green Camden scarf
- black leather Frye boots
- purple ankle DMs
- black super-long skinny jeans
- black tailored shorts
- Lowlife piano belt
- many pairs of black tights!
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-Charcoal grey anything
-Knee-high, reddish brown, round toe boots. Goes with everything: black, brown, grey, fancy, laid-back, you name it!
-Other people mentioned these, but, CARDIGANS!
I need a new wallet, STAT. I think I might be willing to splurge a little on something cool. Great post!
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Have any of you guys seen those “hard” wallets? they are like a clamshell with a clasp at the top? I just bought one and i LOVE it!! I will see if I can get some pictures up..
Its LIKE this one but a MUCH better print instead of teal alligator skin
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-Skinny-Croc-Wallet-Ladies-Ultra-Thin-Turquoise_W0QQitemZ270469150535QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ef937b747
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I love your bag. I also have a large neutral leather messenger bag I gifted myself a couple years ago. I’ve always been the type of girl to carry stuff “just in case” from sketchbook and pens to a my digital camera and its associated cables. Its an upgrade to the messenger bag I’d been using since highschool. It can be dressed up professionally, or down for a bike ride around the city. Hell, I think its going to outlast me!
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My style essentials that I think I’ll always need and keep close to me are:
-a pearl necklace
-a fitted black blazer
-opaque tights
-a simple pencil skirt in a solid shade
-a fitted top in a bold jewel tone (read royal blue, purple, red or emerald)
-Mary Jane heels
-red lipstick
-a trench coat
-a men’s dress shirt, preferably in a solid white
-bobby pins (timeless and you can always, always use them!)
-a small sparkly clutch for evening wear
-charm bracelets
Your pictures are beautiful and capture you as always Nubby!
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Great article! I also happen to think oversized bags are amazing, I don’t remember the last time I couldn’t fit a house in mine.
Other style essentials for me:
- grey cardigan
- blazer
- leather bomber
- three pairs of skinnies (black, grey & dark wash)
- cute high waisted skirt & blouse to match
- black flats
- pearl earrings
- chapstick and lipgloss! lipstick for the evening
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Oh, lovely. I love cataloguing my most prized articles. Whether it be regular stuffs or my clothes.
I have a plain white watch I got from Target for $12. It’s really minimal and modern, with a skinny band. I get complimented on it more than anything else.
I have a black American Apparel hoodie I got two years ago and I wear it just about every day.
I don’t own white socks, only colorful and patterned ones. Can’t do without ‘em.
Can’t go a day without wearing black stud earrings.
I have a cool vintage 60′s satchel-purse I got for A BUCK at a sidewalk sale. It’s in perfect condition and I love all things 60′s so it was a perfect match.
And my black jeans. I feel like I need more variety in my pant selection, but you can never go wrong with black skinny jeans.
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queengilda; I LOVE your style! Always so cute and funky and layered! I miss wandering though Soho with you!!!
biobot: Whether items are super cheap (the F21 studded belts) or expensive (Miu Miu bag), I’m fairly picky about what I add to my wardrobe. I say buy only what you truly love, no matter how much or little it costs!
Caroline Royce: Sounds like you are super practical; a girl after my own heart!
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I agree with you on all of these…and I ADORE that wallet! I would also add: a flattering pair of jeans and figure-flattering dress that makes you feel confident every time you put it on…oh, and a great red lipstick!
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Yeah, i try to do the same, only buy what i love.
I’d never spend money on something “basic” like a tank top or a a plain shirt, i only like clothes that are cut in an interesting way, are made of a good quality/interesting fabric and that i defiantly couldn’t make myself
Having said that,
Your post has got me pondering my style essentials all week! I dont think i have any!
I have lots of nice shoes. Very nice shoes. But to be honest i lock them away for special occasions.
MOstly ive been wearing my sisters doc martines that a size too big, I dont like them that much but there just for getting to places.
I have a few pieces of a topshop Rare and Prestige collection from a last year i really love and was quite expensive to me. But im happy i got thouse things because its the only few bits of clothes i actully like.
I have realised alot of my clothes are just hand me downs. or things i borrow, or old house clothes.
There is nothing i wear regularly. Mabye i should work on this, i used to love dressing up. but i can see ive let it slip.
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I’m in love with your YSL wallet. I need a really great wallet that will hold cash, change, and a checkbook, but still look classy. It may be my next big fashion investment.
I also absolutely love your Miu Miu bag. So cute! And the perfect size without looking awkward.
Some of my signature pieces lately have been:
- a Tokidoki print LeSportsac bag that’s just large enough to hold my MacBook
- a black leather suitcase bag that has some great feminine pleats
- a great pair of silk leopard print Steve Madden flats with additional embellishments – perfect for black or brown outfits when I want my feet to feel pampered but need to do a lot of walking
- a bright tomato red London Fog umbrella for rainy days
- Sally Hansen Salon Nail Laquer in the Deepest of Violets
- an absolutely perfect, comfortable pair of dark wash wide-leg jeans
- a white cotton jacket that both buttons and ties
- a colorful, soft, and lightweight scarf for the changing seasons
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I just had to come back here because i Just got invited to this awesome website and figured you girls would appreciate it. its called RENT THE RUNWAY and you literally get to rent all of the high end high fashion clothes and dresses.. So when you need to go out for a special occasion, instead of wasting money on a mediocre dress that you will probably never wear again, rent an AWESOME dress that you return but look amazing in for the whole night. Most dresses run at arond $50 and they have all sizes.. they even offer you a second size incase it doesn’t fit.
I didnt check out ALL of the designers that they carry, but they update all of the time to keep up with the hottest fashion.
Anyways.. its invite only and I just got my invite, but that now gives me 6 MORE people to invite. I dont really know many others who would use this, so let me know if you want it. Just email me at
lindsay(at)bscphoto(dot)com
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