Wardrobe Therapy

Image Credit: AnnTaylor.com

Must-have clothing lists are something I come across often, but I don't always agree with their contents. However, the following list from Apartment Therapy seems quite reasonable. My comments are in italics.

1. A pencil skirt.
Pencil skirts are like the subway tile of clothes: they never really go out of style. They're elegant, feminine, a little bit badass. Wear one to an interview (with a sensible top). Wear one to a wedding (with a flirty top). Find one you like, get it tailored to fit you just right, and you'll find yourself reaching for it again and again. A good fit is critical:  The skirt should skim gracefully over your figure and hit at or just above your knee.

2. Black pumps.
Everyone should own at least one pair of really beautiful black pumps. Buy a classic shape and you'll keep them forever. Calvin Klein, Cole Haan, 9 West, and Michael Kors tend to have good black pumps year after year.

3. Jeans that make your butt look awesome.
Look for a dark rinse, so you can dress them up or down. If you find a pair that fits and you can afford it, purchase two pairs.

4. A big slouchy-luxe bag you can carry every day.
Your purse is pretty much the only thing in your wardrobe that you 'wear' every single day, so it's worth splurging on a little. I look for a bag that's high-quality but doesn't scream 'fancy' (for versatility) and one that has a little slouch to it (so I can stuff a few extra things in my purse without it looking like it's going to explode). Hmm. I find a big bag looks out of proportion on petite women and they can be really heavy. However, I'm all for splurging on a high-quality bag in a color and style you love since it will be with you every day.

5. Sunglasses.
Sunglasses are the only accessory you wear on your face, and they are kind of important. They're one of the first things other people will see, and a nice pair of sunglasses will instantly elevate any outfit. Look for a pair that's not too trendy and that complements your face shape. And don't leave them on the seat of your car and then sit on them, like I do. Eh. Some people cannot live without sunglasses (me!), and others rarely wear them. So this item doesn't seem like a must-have for all.

6. A white button-up shirt.
The ultimate wardrobe staple. Goes with basically everything. Another thing that's worth getting tailored, because you will keep it forever. What if you don't look wonderful in white? Then get off-white? Not a button-up shirt kind of woman? Then how about a white or cream silky blouse with or without buttons? Joie makes gorgeous (and pricey) ones, and Ive seen reasonably priced blouses at H & M and Forever 21.

7. A white tank top.
White tank top? I hear you saying, skeptically. Trust me: if you can find the right white tank top, you will wear it all the time. The trick is to get one in an upscale fabric, like silk, so the shape says casual but the execution looks like a million bucks. You can wear said tank top to get beers with your friends at the ice house (it's a tank top!) or to that fancy new restaurant everyone's been wanting to try (it's made of silk!). Also looks great under a blazer. I love a great white tank top and have found them at Old Navy and Michael Stars. Ones by Crown Jewel are quite perfect (and are sold at Indian Summers in Summerland).

8. The right black pants.
Perfect for any occasion where you don't want to wear a skirt, but jeans just won't quite do. Or navy, or dark brown. Look for non-pleated ones that have no pockets or pockets with slits that lay flat in front. A wide leg is flattering on most but make sure it is not too wide if you are petite.
9. A little black dress.
But of course. Or navy or cream or even red.

10. A statement-y necklace that goes with everything.
I know a necklace might seem like a not-so-basic thing, but hear me out: jewelry makes any ensemble look more finished. It says: "I do not just get dressed. I wear Outfits." If you can find a necklace that you love to wear, and that goes with everything, that one piece can give your whole wardrobe about 15% more oomph. Worth it. Yes!

What are the wardrobe staples you can't live without?

Layering 101

This month's column in Carpinteria's Coastal View News details how to attractively layer your clothing to stay warm, but not too warm, on cold days. Go here and then to page 21 to read about layering.

Best Costume!

Last weekend my husband and I attended a holiday ugly sweater party. I guess these are quite popular now, but it was our first one. I borrowed a bright red cardigan with cheerful Christmas trees, snowmen, and reindeer appliqued to the hem. The sweater was festive, and I felt ridiculous which I guess is the whole idea.

As guests arrived, I noticed their sweaters and vests, adorned with all kinds of holiday motifs, sparkly sequins, and fancy embroidery. But my very favorite outfit was one I spotted from way across the room. At first I thought she had a bright green felt tree skirt around her neck but quickly dismissed this crazy thought.  When she came closer, however, I realized that she was wearing a tree skirt and I so wished I had thought of doing the same brilliant thing. She looked preposterous and hilarious and was the hit of the party!

Professional Clothes to Donate

If you have professional work clothing that you no longer wear, now is an excellent time to donate it to a terrific program: Job Smart.

Read about this program below, and then read further about dropping your clothing off at UCSB in the coming week. 

UCSB's Career Services department is collecting clothing donations for the Job Smart program at Unity Shoppe, Inc.
December 15 -18, bring gently worn work duds you can spare to the Career Services front desk.
We will bring them to the Unity Shoppe after the new year. Call Career Services at 805-893-4412 for more information.

Examples of items needed:

Business suits
Slacks
Button Up Shirts
Blouses
Sweaters
Shoes
Accessories (bags, briefcases, scarves, belts, etc.)

Feeling Smug

I recently wore my $18.00 Payless sparkly pumps which I purchased last year for a wedding. Let me say again how much I adore these shoes for their comfort and sheer killer look. When my husband and I were walking by a local boutique the other night, we saw a similar pair in the window. They were priced around $500. Sure, maybe they were better made and had real crystals covering their surface instead of glittery fabric, but my shoes are fabulous. And I felt quite smug about my frugal shopping.

Just a Little Effort

Image credit: louiscopeland.com

I volunteered at the ticket booth over the weekend for my older daughter's ballet performance. The booth provided an ideal vantage point for some great people-watching. I saw some pretty dresses, stylish suits, and sparkly, festive jewelry on many attendees, in addition to the usual casual SB style of jeans and t-shirts.

One man's ensemble stood out: He wore a pair of black slacks, a dark blue dress shirt, dark tan jacket, topped off with a lovely cranberry red scarf around his neck. I appreciated the thought that went into wearing the scarf and was reminded at how one accessory can make an outfit dazzling.

Just One Will Do

 The offending shoe


The other day my barefooted daughter had wear the emergency/painting/gardening shoes that I keep in my car trunk when we stopped at the grocery store. Of course she was mortified by the outdated style of my sneakers and tried to get me to trade shoes with her. We ended up in fits of laughter when she abandoned her embarrassment and paraded around the store.

When I relayed this story to a friend, she asked why I had ugly, old shoes in my car. I realized I keep a few pairs of such "emergency" shoes around in case of an emergency (fire, earthquake) in which I have to grab shoes and run. . . somewhere. This excess footwear made me think of the Wardrobe Wisdom clients I have who cling to ancient, ratty clothing for "walking the dog," "gardening," or "painting." I've said it before but it bears repeating: You only need one of these ensembles. So use the remaining ones for rags, toss the icky shoes,  and open up some space in your closet (or car trunk).

David Lebovitz--Again

Photo credit: clubsports.com

I realize I am rather fixated on this pastry chef's book, The Sweet Life in Paris, lately, but he has so many bon mots about clothing and the French that I want to share them. Today's quote reminded me of a very funny event during my family's visit with our cousins in northern France a few years ago. Nathalie and I left our children with our husbands at a huge public pool complex while we did some shopping. When we returned, my husband Don was standing to the side of the lifeguard who appeared to be having a very lively argument with Nathalie's husband, Rudy. We later learned Don was forbidden to enter the pool in his "American style bathing suit." Fortunately, a vending machine in the changing room, sold Speedos (I kid you not) for a fair price.

From the Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz:

"This is also a country where it's interdit [forbidden] to wear anything but a skimpy, religion-baring Speedo in pubic pools 'pour l'hygiene, monsieur!' If someone could explain why strapping on a slingshot-style swimsuit is so much more hygienic than a square-cut swimsuit with two extra centimeters of fabric--and why I, who have less hair on my head than many of the men have on their backs, have to wear a bathing cap--I'm all ears."

Socks

Image Credit: Bodenusa.com


Strangely, whimsical socks seem to be all the rage right now, for both men and women. This strikes me as strange because crazy, colorful socks were such fashion outcasts during the past decade or so. But now that socks are de rigueur with everything from pumps to Birkenstocks (for some people), they've made a comeback.

I like to see a cool, striped sock peeking out between a bootie and a rolled up jean. I also like to see a dark or light (depending on the rest of the outfit) tall sock coming over the top of a riding boot. One of my husband's colleagues is a very stylish dresser and has always shown his flair for fashion via his printed socks. Think of them as a wink on your feet.