This little light of mine? No!I mean… If you have a little light, you certainly ought to let it shine, but this is all beside the point!

I’m talking about statement pieces paired with basics.

I love, love, love to wear really eye-catching pieces, but I have to be very careful not to over-busy my outfit as a whole, otherwise the amazing article of clothing will just get lost in the clutter.

First, you need killer basics. These don’t have to be boring, dowdy, lame, yawn-inducing, cheap, plain or less than amazing.

You need shorts. Don’t cringe! Shorts can do WONDERS for your legs when paired with a stacked heel. Besides, the statement piece you put on top of them will keep everyone’s eyes on how -gorgeous- you are, the last thing on their minds will be anyone’s flaws. Pish posh.

I suggest getting shorts in lots of colors - all neutral! Remember, basics are the canvas upon which your statement is painted. What good is a blue and white polka dot canvas? Not great.

Stick to grey, white, brown, and maybe a khaki.

As far as length, I suggest a bermuda short (hits a couple inches above the knee) and a shortie (mid thigh). Anything longer or shorter is a regret waiting to happen.

Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Bubble Short $196 $98	These are definitely “shorties”, but the pale gray color is a wonderful neutral. 98% cotton is great for summer, too. I like the slightly “baggy” feel of these, makes them look really comfortable.
Theory Bennie Short $140 $70	Crisp white shorts are an absolute necessity. These could easily slide beneath a billowy top, since they’re a little more fitted than the ones above.
GAP Clean Bermuda shorts $39.50	These are the perfect length. You can dress them up or down, and they also come in a rich brown or a classic white!

Skirts are another great option for a basic. I suggest a mini, pencil, and an a-line shape for every woman’s wardrobe. These are going to last you through hundreds of chic outfits to come.
Mini skirts will elongate your legs, and allow you to wear something really billowy and fun up top. PLEASE DO NOT wear something elastic, polyester, or spandex-y with a mini skirt. You are not a hooker. These skirts should hit you around the mid-thigh - no higher!

Pencil skirts are the absolute sexy of sexy, when it comes to skirts. I even think they’re sexier than a mini! You can sex it up, professional-it up, date it up, flirt it up… It’s just the perfect skirt! This style should hit your knees or a couple inches above. If you want to go mid-calf, please keep it classy and anachronistic - that’s just the best way to rock it, in my opinion.

A-Line skirts are a gift from god. The sides of the skirt flow away from the body, making your waist look time. They’re especially fabulous for those with broad shoulders as they balance out the width of you and give you a great hourglass shape. They should hit just at the knee, or slightly above.

Twill Button-Tab Mini $24.50 $9.99!	The is the quintessential mini. It’s not trashy, thanks to the twill khaki fabric, and it’s excruciatingly versatile. Plus, you can’t beat that price.
Only Hearts Pencil Skirt with Pockets $84	This is a pencil skirt to die for. It’s got some pockets on it (so help me GOD if you try to put lipstick, your keys, or anything else in there - they’re for show people!) which add a little interest, but don’t take away from your statement. It’s nice and high-waisted… SO MAKE SURE IT’S ON YOUR WAIST! I had an awful experience with a high-waisted pencil skirt that I failed to wear correctly. It ended in the back zipper busting open and showing my leopard print skivvies to all in my vicinity… WEAR IT ON YOUR WAIST!
Satin-sash skirt $38	This is a gorgeous a-line skirt with a satin sash at the top. I adore it in the alabaster color (pictured), but it also comes in other neutral colors: heather gray and black.

I’m going to skip the jeans part of this “basics” post, because all you really need are a good, well-fit pair of dark wash denim to showcase your statement piece.

As far as shoes… You get a little more liberty with ‘em. While black peep-toe heels are never a bad choice, you really have to balance the “loudness” of your shoes against the “loudness” of your statement top. If it’s a bright color on top, maybe do a patterned (but still semi-neutral) shoe. If you’ve got all kinds of architecture and texture on your statement top, stick with something super neutral and mellow.

I hope this helps you choose the perfect bottoms for your gorgeous, show-stopping tops.

xoxo.