Didn't I Feed You Yesterday__ A Mother's Guide to Sanity in Stilettos - Laura Bennett [41]
Once your personal vision is clear, seek out a few quality pieces that convey your vision and flatter your body type. These are the key wardrobe essentials, the basics of your uniform. The first thing to find is a simple, versatile dress that you can transform with accessories. Next on your list is a perfectly fitting pair of trousers and the type of skirt that works best on your body type. Add a great tailored jacket and a couple of nice blouses. It’s that easy; these are the workhorses of any wardrobe, so this is where you want to go for quality over quantity. The clothes should fit you perfectly; have them tailored if necessary. These pieces don’t need to be a matched set, but they should blend, so you can mix them together. If your simple dress is a bohemian print, think about a solid jacket with some handcrafted detail, so it has the same feeling as the dress and they can be worn together. Just fill in with some seasonal T-shirts, sweaters, and the occasional inexpensive trendy item, and I promise this wardrobe will take you anywhere in the world.
Now that your garment rack is looking purposeful, it is time to consider your shoe wardrobe. Personally, I believe the shoes make the outfit. A little black dress with a pair of sexy stilettos will get you through the cocktail hour looking sharp. That same dress worn with flat sandals or boots is perfect for daytime. Put on a serious shoe, like a feminine loafer, throw that aforementioned jacket over your shoulder, and the business world is yours. See how easy this game is? With a great evening shoe (supersexy required), a casual shoe (I don’t mean sneakers), and an “I mean business shoe,” your shoe wardrobe needs are covered.
The final category on your list of essentials is bags. This is another context where I can’t overstress how important quality is. All you really need is a classic evening bag and a couple of day bags that give you color and size options. These should be thoughtful and careful purchases: your bag, like your shoes, can transform your basic clothing and help your personality come through. Consider what you are trying to say with your style, and make sure your bag says it.
Do not panic; I am not saying that once this concise list is complete you never get to shop again. I do not love shopping, but if you do, think of it as upgrading this master list of items. But beware. If you just keep adding, instead of upgrading these key pieces, your closet will become overwhelming, and dressing will become a chore. Keep it simple; make it easy.
DO NOT BELIEVE FOR ONE MOMENT THAT I OWN ONLY THREE PAIRS of shoes. Rules are, after all, meant to be broken, and shoes are a particular passion of mine. I collect shoes the way some people collect art; and while great style does not require great funds, I would be remiss if I led you to believe my shoes are inexpensive. Because I save so much money sewing my own clothes, I feel I get to spend more on shoes. In my defense, I still wear the first pair of Manolos I ever bought. After thirteen years of wear, they have been refurbished many times, but that pair of shoes long ago earned their keep.
My shoes are not neatly tucked away in a closet, nor are they relegated to dusty boxes affixed with Polaroids of what’s inside. No, my shoes have pride of place in the middle of our loft, shelved like books where I can see them and be reminded of walking down the banks of the Seine in this pair, leaving the hospital with Larson in that pair. They are my little soldiers, standing at attention, waiting to go for a spin or to show themselves off to guests. I won’t say that they make me happier than my children, but I won’t say that they don’t, either.
If there were a fire in my apartment, and I only had time to grab one pair of shoes, I know exactly which pair it would