Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Top Style Essentials

As I've been gearing up for fall, and for the start of school, I've also been thinking about my fall wardrobe. What are the essentials that carry me from season to season, year to year? I've compiled a list of my personal style essentials (in no particular order!) below...

Heels. You can never own too many pairs of heels (sorry, Mom). Dressy, casual, going out, doesn't matter. My favvvvvorite shoe designer is Christian Louboutain. One day I hope to own many, many pairs of them. This may be my favorite shoe designed by him:
Investment Bag. This is necessary. Mine is a black leather Brighton bag with a silk lining (it secretly came from an auction:)). I dressed it up with a black and gold Chanel scarf. One day if and when I can afford it, my top investment choice will be a black quilted Chanel:


This in my opinion is the classic bag. The Birkin bag is also classic, depending on your style.



Striped Sailor Shirt. This summer I decided I needed one of these. Its nautical but classic, and can be dressed up or down. Mine is from F21, and is fitted, but they can also be found in more loosely fitting styles too.

Men's White Shirt. Although this is an item that I'm still in search of for my wardrobe, this is something that can be worn with almost anything. Wear it with skinny jeans and flats, or belt it and wear it with heels. This is a look that is absolutely timeless. I have yet to find the perfect one, but I know it's out there somewhere!


Pearls. Classic. Wear a short strand with your LBD for a classic Audrey look, or long draped strands for a more "edgy" look. Either way, they are classic. I have a pair of real ones from my grandmother (the most classic pearls are hand-me-downs) a fake pair for non-formal occasions, and long strands of pearls for draping.


Cocktail Rings. They don't have to be giant diamond rings. In fact, they don't have to be real at all. That's not the point of cocktail rings. The pont is for them to be big and bold, and to draw attention. They make a statement. When you're holding a drink, I gaurantee they'll be noticed;) Here are a few of mine:

Nail Polish. Nude, clear and red are the most classic colors. However, we young ladies can wear color and get away with it. I have about 30 polishes in MANY different colors.

I usually don't match my nails and toes, and like to wear bright colors year round. Regaurdless of whether you stick with classics or go a little more bold, your nails are a blank canvas.

Little Black Dress. I have about 6 LBD's. I have casual ones and dressy ones. Summer and winter dresses. The perfect LBD will reveal itself to you when you least expect it, so always keep your eyes peeled! The LBD is a blank canvas, adding bangles, cocktail rings, fun shoes, whatever. The LBD will NEVER go out of style.
Cardigans. Yes, plural. I have cardigan in eeeevery color. Wear them with T-shirts, dresses or dress clothes and a white button-up. Point is, they go with everything, and you can even buy them in summer-weight and wear them as a bathing suit cover-up.
Blazer. Dress it up, dress it down. Wear it with shorts, wear it with jeans, wear it with a skirt. Wear it with a dress, wear it with slacks. The blazer is one of the MOST versatile items you can have in your wardrobe - it instantly classes-up any look.


This one is mine from Charlotte Russe, and pretty casual. I also have a khaki blazer, and a more dressy suit-jacket blazer.

Animal print. This is something that adds the perfect amount of style and edge when it's worn right. In my opinion the key to animal print it subtlety - not too much. My favorite piece of animal print in my wardrobe are my Guess pumps:


I've also been on the lookout for an animal print scarf, which would work great paired with a red or black sweater this fall.

Ballet Flat. Chic, timeless. First made popular by Audrey Hepburn and Bridget Bardot, ballet flats have become an essential to every girls wardrobe. I have flats in almost every color, but the ones I wear most are my black and red pairs.

When I am rich and famous, I will be buying the most classic pair out there - Chanel:



Aviators. In my opinion, the most classic sunglasses. First created in WWII, and made popular by Tom Cruise in the movie Top Gun. I have two pairs - on in black and one in brown.






Bangles. Whether you're adding a stack of colorful bangles to a casual outfit, or adding gold or silver bangles to a cocktail dress, bangles are a classic look that announce your arrival in style.



An "in" piece. While filling your wardrobe with classics is crucial, it's ok to have a couple "of the moment"pieces too. Whether it be long drapey vests, or socks with heels, these looks come and go. You shouldn't spend a lot of money on these pieces like you would with a more classic piece (like those mentioned above) but these can still be made your own by pairing it with classic pieces.

These are my personal essentials.. what are yours?

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