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?
