When building a basic wardrobe, you have to consider your lifestyle, age and where you live. Before you purchase new "must haves," pull everything out of your closet and donate or toss anything that doesn't fit, doesn't look good, is outdated, or you know you'll never wear again. Only put pieces you like and know you'll wear back into your closet, then take one more trip to the charity donation bin.
Foundation
Start out with basic neutral colors that flatter you. Neutrals include black, brown, gray, navy, taupe, beige and white. Decide what colors will go with the essentials you already have and stick to those when you shop. Make a list of what you need and focus on the best quality you can afford rather than quantity. You're better off choosing a few well-constructed pieces at a time than buying a lot of cheap, poor-quality items.
Lifestyle
Are you a businesswoman, a stay-at-home mom, a student or a factory worker? Do you participate in sports? Do you entertain much? How often would you need to attend a formal or semi-formal event? These are all things you should consider when constructing your basic wardrobe. If you're a stay-at-home mom, you may not think you need a tailored suit, but it would be nice to have for the separate pieces. The suit jacket might go with another pair of pants, jeans, a skirt, or even over a dress. Don't box yourself in to one single style of clothing.
First Round of Basics
Most women should start out with a lightweight neutral suit, at least one dress, three pairs of slacks (at least two in neutral colors), two pairs of casual pants (at least one of them jeans), a skirt, a blazer, five or six tops (at least two in a solid color and one white shirt), a pullover sweater, a cardigan, a long coat (preferably a neutral trench coat), a casual jacket, three pairs of shoes (at least one pair of heels), and whatever athletic wear you need for your sport. If you live in a cold climate, you'll need winter boots. It's also nice to have at least one evening outfit, even if you rarely go out. Sometimes events pop up when you don't expect them, and it isn't always easy to find the perfect outfit. The best option is to have two-piece outfits because a basic black skirt or silk pants can be worn with different tops.
Second Round of Basics
After you have all the items from the first list, look for pieces that can complement what you already have. For example, if you have a brown pantsuit and a black pair of pants, a teal or coral silk blouse can go with either and create more than one new outfit.
Accent
Jewelry, belts, handbags and scarves give you more options to enhance and change your outfits. Start out with a strand of pearls, gold or silver chains, a brown belt, a black belt, and a well-constructed, neutral leather handbag, then add to your collection as your budget allows.
 comments (0)
|
|
