Fashion is expensive. Looking fashionable doesn’t have to be. I’m what I like to call a “mixer”. I take favorites of mine that define my personal style and mix in a piece that’s current to keep the whole thing looking fresh. I’m personally a mix of bohemian and new. I want to look like the love child of Stevie Nicks and Rachel Zoe with a sprinkling of gold every time I leave my house. While that may not want to be the road a lot of people take, it’s how I feel the most comfortable. I like having some 70’s flair while being appropriately covered as I stroll around with my four year old son. To me, comfort and feeling good about what your wearing is the most important thing. Anytime I’ve ever dressed for other people I’m constantly tugging, pulling down, adjusting, sucking in ect. Then my night is ruined because I’m uncomfortable and mad and I just want to go home and eat a ham sandwich. So what I’m trying to say is the list of basics that ill be writing about is just that. Basics. Things every woman of every style need in their closets to add their own style to and make the look her own. Functional pieces for every occasion.

1: Little Black Dress

Every woman needs a little black dress. From weddings to funerals, this is a fashion staple. You will always have an occasion to wear it. The key is to find one you feel great in. Funerals will never have been so exciting! (I’m totally just kidding about that. Joke people. Joke). My two favorite ways to style an LBD is to either do a homage to Jackie O and do a classic look with pearls and a clutch or to lux it up and add gold galore. I feel the need to point out that this is NOT a clubbing dress. No dress that you go clubbing in can swing into the funeral and wedding zones. Please keep it a classic cut that’s not exposing your crotch or ass cheeks. Think timeless.

2: Well Tailored Dress Pants

Sometimes your bloated, not feeling like putting on a dress, or lets face it, not wanting to shave your legs. Been there. Which means hello dress pants! I think the key to this look is to buy them a bit longer than usual so they don’t look like capris when you put heels on with them. I own many pairs, mainly because of my love for Bianca Jagger. If you need to know how they should fit just google her name. The lady ROCKED hers. If your new to the dress pant game I would start with a black pair that you can mix any shoe or top with. Once you get comfortable with the idea then branch out and try some seasonal colors. Navy blue, cream, oxblood and grey all look incredible. Victoria’s Secret is my go to when I’m looking for a new pair. They have a million different styles for everyone’s body type. Be warned though, you probably will have to have them altered because I find they are quite long.

3: A Plain White/Black T-Shirt

I wear a t shirt almost every time I leave the house and you probably wouldn’t notice. They are great layering tools and can be used any way you want. Under vests, tucked into high waisted pants, and can even transition to night paired with a dressy skirt and jewelry. Most places will push a high end t shirt but I personally don’t think you need it to feel like kitten fur. A WalMart or Target t shirt gets the job done just fine.

4: Skin Tone Colored Camisole

Have you ever shied away from lace or see through tops because you don’t want to look like you should be on a corner? Or you have tried them and felt like there were too many layers to be comfortable when you throw one of your regular cotton thick strapped tanks under it? Well ladies, a skin tone colored cami is the answer.

5: Black Cardigan

A black cardigan can literally be worn with any of the above numbers. It’s one of those staples that you can wear to any occasion and can be mixed and matched with most of the pieces you already own. It can even take your little black dress from office appropriate to after work drinks. It really works with everything.

6: A Great Fitting Pair Of Jeans

Every woman needs a great fitting pair of jeans in a medium to dark wash. Think great length, great fit, no ass crack when you bend over, and no crab walk/jumping dance when you have to put them on. Great jeans mixed with a plain Tshirt, the black cardigan, great jewelry and heels is a quick and pulled together option that every woman should use to their advantage.

7: A White Button Up Blouse

A white blouse looks crisp and clean. You can add as much as you want to dress it up or keep it as is for a minimal, more work inspired look.

8: Classic Black Skinny Pants

A super slimming way to look office appropriate or rock and roll chic on the street. You can get them in any material and can mix with any type of boot or heel to get the look your going for. And did I mention they’re super slimming? Like we need any more reasons to buy a pair besides that .

9: Knee Length Black Skirt

A great knee length skirt can take you anywhere you need to go. From work to date night to weddings. Add it to the white button up blouse with a great leather jacket and jewelry and its a cool spin put on a classic look.

10: A Great Leather Jacket

A leather jacket used as a fashion staple should be in a black or brown. Depending on what colors you lean towards more in your closet color scheme. I personally lean towards black because it can then be used with everything from the little black dress to classic back skinny pant and still looks cohesive. If you keep staples in the same color family then it’s a grab and go situation. Everything will look good no matter what.

All of these staples can be purchased for any price. You can find them anywhere from Old Navy to Saks Fifth Avenue. It’s not the price that will make one any better than the other. It’s going to be the fit. These are the things in your closet that should fit you perfectly and have you feeling good in them when your wearing them. That just made getting ready a lot easier didn’t it? Try it out. You can never go wrong with a classic.

xo Stephanie