As I’ve grown, so has my fashion sense. Last night I was cleaning out my hard drive and came across some pics of me from back in the day and thought, “what the HELL was I thinking?!” Come on, we’ve all had that moment! I mean it was bad, hair permed, no makeup (not even concealer), and the clothes! But then I thought, “hey that was the height of fashion back in the 90’s.”
Needless to say, I’ve come a long way since then. Shoot, I’ve come a long way since my freshman year in college! Along the way I’ve learned that every closet needs a few key pieces that can tie any look together. While it’s always fun to get pieces with crazy prints and cuts, sometimes what an outfit really needs is something a little understated.
Belts
Source: Pinterest
I never used to wear belts, like ever! But somewhere along the way in college I got a thick, plain brown leather belt and felt in love. The good thing about belts is that they serve two purposes: 1) they keep your pants where they should be; and, 2) they make a casual look, look complete. Belts are an easy way to make any outfit look complete and polished.Just make sure that you get them in the right size so that it fits comfortably and doesn’t cinch your hips too much.
If you’re not into belts but want to be, start off with a brown belt. It’s simple and goes with almost any color combination. I love both skinny and fat belts because they can spice up a dress easily enough and can give you as much or as little drama as you need.
LBD
Source: Pinterest
A little black dress is a closet staple! The beauty about the LBD is that it so versatile and will always be classic. I think every girl should have a LBD in the back of their closet because there comes a time where you have an event but have no clue what to wear. LBD to the rescue! You can dress it up with a statement necklace and heels, or dress it down with wedges and a belt. It’s perfect for work with a blazer, weddings with a shawl, and everyone knows it’s a first date winner. Just know that you can never go wrong with a little black dress.
Watch
Source: Michael Kors
Just like I never used to wear belts, I really wasn’t into watches either. I would always forget to wear them or they would get lost. That was until I got a Michael Kors Mid-Size Rose Golden Stainless Steel Lexington Chronograph Watch as a Christmas present from my mom. I LOVE THAT THING! Almost never take it off, and you know why? Because it goes with everything! Whether I’m going for a casual look, wearing a work suit, or even a dress for church it always jazzes me up. Rose gold is in right now, but honestly a big face watch in any metallic tone is the key to a pulled together look. Plus I like the bling, it’s almost better than jewelry.
Cardigan
Source: Forever 21
This is an easy one. Cardigans are the grown up hoodies. They’re easy to throw on, light enough to wear in the summer but warm enough for those times you’re stuck in a freezing restaurant or movie theater. They come in all types of colors and are easy to find in almost any store. I always like to have one in my purse because I get cold easy. But most of all, they’re stylish!
Black Pumps & Flats
Source: Steve Madden
Last but not least, it’s all about the shoes. I love shoes, always have, always will. And the one piece that I have consistently had in my closet since I was 16 is a pair if black pumps and black flats. We all know that black is a universal color that goes with just about anything (i.e. the LBD), that’s why black pumps and flats are so essential.
The key to black pumps for me is comfort. I hate uncomfortable heels so make sure that all the heels I buy either have a platform or cushioned bottom. While platforms may look scary to some, they are actually pretty ingenious. They allow you get the height you want from the heel without killing your arch. Once you get the hang of walking on them you’ll never go back. And they’re perfect for petite girls like me (I’m 5ft even on a lucky day). Regardless if you like suede, patent, or leather, a good pair of black pumps look good with almost anything. Most of all they allow to transition easily between work and happy hour.
Source: Tory Burch
Black flats serve a similar purpose, they can be dressed up or down and give you a level of comfort you don’t get with heels. I always make sure I have a pair of black flats in my car or purse for when my little piggies just can’t take it anymore. Really, they’re just easy.
Do you have any closet staples you can’t do without? Share in the comment section below!
Don’t forget to live a little…
-Dee
Naturally Dee 