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Post Info TOPIC: I need basics


Hermes

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I need basics
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What are some really good quality basics I should add to my wardrobe? I feel like right now everything I have is "unique" and I'm sort of lacking on the staples.

Can anyone help recommend sweaters, shirts, jackets, etc. that are sort of neutral in color and can be worn w/ lots of the "unique" pieces I have?

Thanks.



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Kate Spade

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I just watched an Oprah rerun last week with Stacy London that had lots of good basics that I want to try. Stacy recommended theory pants in black and beige/khaki. She also did a good segment on the best black pants in a wide price range. I think all the products are listed on Oprah's web site too.

Here's my list:

solid color wrap dress, pref. DVF

white blouse, simple without too many details (so people can't tell when you repeat wearing it)

dark wash jeans

black pencil skirt

tan pencil skirt

fitted cashmere cardigans, at least one neutral like grey and one bright

great fitting tshirts in white and grey (I like adampluseve)

traditional black suit

red pumps

leopard pumps (they don't sound like a neutral, but they go with everything!)

lacoste polos (because I'm preppy)



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Chanel

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I'm pretty much all about basics.

Dress clothes:

Black tailored pantsuit

Subtly patterned pants like tweed or pinstriped in a neutral color

Cotton crewneck cardigans in good colors

Dressy cardigan with beading or something, 3/4 sleeves

Sexy shiny camisole

Button-front stretch shirts

Lightweight trench coat (black is best, tan is OK)

Little black dress

Black pumps with at least a kitten heel

Dressy satin heeled sandals

Tall black boots


Play clothes:

White jeans

White and black tees

White lightweight/long-sleeved tunic

Beater tanks and lots of 'em

Skinny black capris

Converse Chuck Taylors or Jack Purcells (black for me, whatever for you)

Good flat sandals

Casual blazer (corduroy or equivalent)

Here's a Polyvore (I was bored at work):




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Kenneth Cole

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I would add a denim skirt that would dress up easily.  I have this one and I wear it with tights/boots in winter or with sandals in warmer weather.  It has a really cool shape to it:
_5152206.jpg

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Gucci

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On Tim Gunn's Guide to Style he has a list of 10 essential items that everyone woman needs. I thought it would be a good start but I like the other girls list bc they are more specific. =)

*Basic black dress
*Trench coat
*Classic dress pants
*Classic white shirt
*Skirt
*Blazer
*Day dress
*Cashmere sweater
*Jeans
*A comfortable alternative to a sweatsuit



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Chanel

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I find these lists so interesting!  Everyone has a different definition of basics/classics.  I think for me, what works best is having a wardrobe of silhouettes, colors, and textures that all mix and match, are good quality, and work with my lifestyle.  I work in fashion, and can wear whatever I want to work.  That said, it would be silly for me to be overly dressy, and I wouldn't be inspired if I dressed dowdy. 
Basics:
5 or 6 skirts- maybe a wool mini, a tight black stretchy mini skirt (to wear with tights and boots when I'm feeling Parisian..), a pencil skirt, a couple of casual summer skirts (American Apparel, H & M etc.), a denim mini, a silk tiered skirt
I don't like printed skirts for the most part- most of mine are basics from J. Crew, etc.
Jeans/pants- a few pairs of skinny jeans for boots, a straight leg pair, a black pair, a pair of trousers, a pair of wide leg jeans, maybe a pair of cords or jodphurs or something.  I like Deener, Earnest Sewn, J Brand, Cheap Monday, Seven.  I have a pair of basic black trousers from Anthropologie randomly, and they fit really well.
Shorts- denim cutoffs for summer, white tweed ones, navy cord ones, black silk.  I wear shorts w/tights or knee socks in winter/fall.  
Sweaters- slouchy grandpa cardigans, dressier cardigans, black turtleneck, a printed sweater (I have one with books on it from J Crew that I love) a couple of slouchy pullovers.  Lots of navy.  I like expensive sweaters, so I'm splurgier here.  Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, Inhabit, J Crew, Nicholas K
Wovens- A couple of button downs- white and blue pinstriped (J. Crew), a couple of silk blouses/tanks for night, a short sleeve brocade tee that I can dress up or down
Knits- lots of black and white tshirts, thermals in lots of colors for under sweaters (Gap, Splendid, Zooey), long sleeve striped tee, boat neck striped tee, tank tops for layering, a couple of special knits (i have a tank with beads sewn all over it, a cute sweater tank with leather straps.)
Socks/tights- lots of tights/thigh highs/knee socks in navy, chocolate, charcoal, and black 
Shoes- black riding boots, heeled brown mid calf boots, brown leather oxfords, lace up vintage ferragamo ankle boots, a few pairs of flip flops and flat sandals, black pumps, mint green wedges, boat shoes or mocs, ballet flats, and a pair of special summer and winter heels.  I like shoes from Frye, J. Crew, vintage, etc
Dresses- Lots of black- I have a silk black shirt dress, a strapless wool dress, and a cocktail dress with cutouts around the neck.  Also a few summer dresses and some solid shift dresses or t shirt dresses.
Bags- meh.  I wear the same brown mini city tote every day.  I also have a tote bag, leather lap top bag, and some evening bags.  I like vintage bags.
Jackets- Love jackets.  Navy blazer, black riding coat, slouchy navy swing jacket, windbreaker, tan leather Vince jacket, Black Mackage winter coat, another long black wool winter coat, burgundy lightweight Diesel jacket that's pretty casual

Specific "magazine" classics that I'd wear:
Hermes Kelly bag (ha!)
Burberry or just nice trench- khaki or black
Louboutin pumps for events/dates
any nice riding boot
nice coats and sweaters
Balenciaga pants
Gold basic jewelry
"trends" described as menswear, sailor, equestrian

things I don't wear:
DVF wrap dresses, wrap ANYTHING.  I like cleaner lines.
pointy toe pumps (for the most part.)
Work trousers
strands of pearls
most knee length skirts
Pink or anything too girly
Most prints
Fur or fur look
too many ruffles

 

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Hermes

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Ok, thanks ladies!! So I did a huge closet inventory last night and I realized the BIGGEST issue is with tops (blouses, blazers, shirts,etc). I have tons of skirts, pants, dresses, outerwear, etc. but I just don't have the necessary stuff to wear on top of all my bottoms.

I hate my upper body -- I'm really large on top (not chest size, just large rib cage, broad back, big-boned). I find it super difficult to find tops that fit well.



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Chanel

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Good for you! If I could add one suggestion, since it seems basic tops are what you need: buy in bulk! If you find a really good button-front shirt or tunic sweater that fits, get a bunch of colors. Men do this all the time and it's genius. If you can't bring yourself to buy five of something, at least get a good neutral (black, ivory, whatever) plus a color (royal, pink, whatever).

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