Build Your Wardrobe: Let’s Start at the Very Beginning
WhatIWore: Let’s say you’re given a winning lottery ticket and can build your wardrobe from scratch. Or maybe you’re transitioning for college to the working world and need to buy “real clothes.” So.. what to buy? Where to spend, where to save? Here are my ideas on what every woman should have as basic building blocks in her wardrobe.
RULES:
Its best to stick to one color story or palette if you’re on a budget. A lot of women find themselves with “nothing to wear” because their clothes are only being worn one or two ways. When everything matches with everything you have a lot more outfit combinations. Once you feel like that set is complete (and when you’re buying classic clothes that last more than a season) expand into a new palette.
I’d recommend starting out with black (although navy, gray or dark brown are great building blocks as well!), including the following items:
- Flats
- Heels
- Boots
- Opaque Tights
- Cardigan
- Camisole
- Blouse/Tee
- Socks
- Trouser or Legging or Jean
- Day to Night Dress
- Day to Night Coat
If you can afford to spend more, do it. Especially for sturdy boots, your winter coat and a day to night dress. You can get away with spending less on tights, sweaters and tees.
Next start injecting some secondary colors into your wardrobe. Same rule as above - pick 4 or 5 colors at most that work with each other and look for:
- Floral or patterned skirt
- Secondary color skirt
- Floral or patterned dress
- Secondary color dress
- Cardigan in secondary color
- Tanks in secondary color
- Tights in secondary color
- Fun heels (either color or print)
I usually spend less on items that are multicolored of patterned. Dresses and skirts are great pieces to thrift as well! As with the basic blacks, you can spend less on tights and tanks.
Accessories!! They will really up the ante and are a good place to get a lot for your money if you’re on a budget. Accessories are also something that don’t necessarily need to work with everything you’ve got, especially if they’re cheap. In fact, I get a lot of compliments on things I’ve bought in thrift stores and at target (even jewelry!) Consider:
- Belts
- Scarves
- Hats
- Necklaces
- Bracelets
- Sunglasses
Finally, buy yourself some decent underwear!! Get RID OF ANYTHING that doesn’t make you feel good about your body (and you know what pairs I’m talking about!!!). A modern woman might argue that slips are for grannies but they’ll make your clothes flow when you’re wearing tights! Its your starting point! I recommend:
- Nude seamless bra and undies
- Black seamless bra and undies
- At least one matching set of bra and undies in a fun/sexy color
- Half slip (to wear under skirts)
- Full sleep (for sheer dresses)
Of course, the above outline is from my reference point of working in a creative field in New York City, so alter it for your workplace/lifestyle and climate!
