I generally live by the rule that every woman’s closet ought to have some classic, strong pieces that serve as the foundation for your entire style. While everyone’s style is obviously different, you can’t deny that we all wear pants, dresses, jeans, shoes, etc… While these can all be personalized, there are still some serious staples that belong in every single closet.

The exciting (and perhaps daunting) aspect of this idea is that these pieces must be extremely high quality. That means no Forever 21, no eBay, no second hand… These need to be long-lasting and FITTED to you and your style. No excuses.

Let’s start from top to bottom. That means hair.

Regardless if you’ve got long hair or short, there are some definite key accessories you must own. Pointedly, some good bobby pins, thin headbands, and elastics (for those with longer hair). These will be integral to your hair… ness.

I highly recommend Scunci brand products, because they last the longest out of all I’ve tried, and are cheap as hell, which I love. Above, we have Scunci No-Slip Grip Bobby-Pins in Assorted Colors, Scunci No Slip Grip Skinny Headbands in Brunette (comes with black, brown and tortoise shell), and Scunci No Slip Grip Elastics in Black. I cannot stress how thankful you’ll be if you always have these on hand.

Next is the shirt area. I’d say “tops” or “blouses”, but it goes beyond that.

BRASSIERES, GIRLS. If you’re going to survive in this gravity-laden world, you’re going to have to keep them puppies up. Every lady ought to have a strapless/convertible, t-shirt, and sexy-as-hell bra in her darling lingerie drawer.

If you’ve got a good sized rack (like me - 34DD), I suggest Lilyette’s Minimizer Strapless bra:

Get it in black and nude. Black for darker tops, nude (NEVER WHITE) for lighter.

If you’ve got a more petit chest, you can go for something a bit more contoured. If you need a deep-V, you can get one that clasps in the front. If not, just regular molded cups will be perfect support for you. Just be sure that the inner band is lined with some kind of plastic or gentle rubber to keep the bra up all day.

Once again, black and nude.

The t-shirt bras must be seamless, and have underwire for larger chests. If you’re petite, once again, you could just go with a triangle bra, or use underwire - it’s about your comfort at that point.

The sexy bra, I’ll help out with. I highly recommend a balconette style bra, as they’re absolute bees knees when it comes to sex appeal. The straps are a bit further apart on a balconette bra, which lifts up the girls and puts ‘em on display. Super hot.

See how the straps are distanced? These are also sometimes listed under demi. Have fun with this one! And don’t flip out if the comfort level isn’t A+++… The entire point of the sexy bra is that you won’t be wearing it too long. Look for lace, embroidery, sheer fabrics, buttons, etc… Have FUN!

Okay! On to actual clothing, yes?

First off, camisoles. You must have a decent camisole collection. If you need help tracking some down, visit this post.

A good collection of solid tees ought to find their way into your closet, too. You can wear them with jeans, tuck them into a pencil skirt, find a long one and turn it into a t-shirt dress… The possibilities are endless. Good places to go for these are American Apparel, Old Navy, and Target.

I also suggest a good amount of “special” tees. Some with a touch of embellishment, but not overkill. Maybe rouched sleeves, a jeweled collar, a faint pattern… Just something with a little extra kick. A shirt like this can be paired with slim jeans and boots, with a fitted jacket for an instant casual look.

I’ve spoken about this several times on this blog… The need for a statement top. A structural, or otherwise eye-catching top that you can pair with anything basic and just WIN. I suggest something sleeveless, but that’s just my preference, because I have narrow shoulders and typically need sleeveless tops to broaden them. But should suit your statement top to your figure and taste.

Now we’re into jackets. You ought to have three styles of jacket permanently in your closet: cropped 3/4 sleeve, trench, and blazer.

The trench should be belted, ladies! This isn’t an option. The color of your trench is really dependant upon your personal style, but I really recommend either khaki/tan, or black. If you want to see mine, visit this post. For the absolute timeless classic style, it really should hit you at the knee, or just above (see photo). The sleeves, personally, should be 3/4 sleeves. That way, if you want to wear a long-sleeved solid underneath, you get some attention towards the ever-neglected forearm and wrist when the sleeves peek out of your coat.

Your cropped 3/4 sleeve jacket should be a touch shorter than all your other jackets. As in the photo, it should hit maybe an inch below the top of your jeans (mid-rise). The sleeves should be roomy and hit your elbows. I don’t suggest purchasing a woolen jacket in this style, as this is more of a mild-weather jacket, or something you can just throw on instead of a jersey knit hoodie. Get fun with the buttons/collar.

The Blazer.This is one of the easiest articles of clothing you’ll ever own. Does it have to be pale blue? No! I suggest a neutral, but you can find one in any color you like! It’s good for work, good over a graphic tee with jeans, good over a strapless dress, etc… Super versatile. If you’ve ever seen What Not To Wear with Stacey London and Clinton Kelly, you’ll know that they preach the “lock & load” form of blazer fitting. I say this: be comfortable, and make sure people can see that you have a waist, and wrists.

While there are lots of jacket styles out there, these are the three that will found your wardrobe. If I were to force you to have any other style jacket, I’d highly recommend working towards a leather motorcycle jacket. They’ve been cool since the Rat Pack, and I don’t think they’re going anywhere.

As for bottoms, I’ll just copy what I wrote in my Let It Shine! article on basics:

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. Ever.

Now, onto the all-encompassing dress. This is my favorite part, because it’s the most fun. You can wear dresses anywhere, to anything (maybe not a weightlifting competition, but you get it), and excude all types of vibes with your choices. But there are still necessities: little black dress, sweatsuit alternative, maxi/sundress, and saucy sassafras dress.

This ain’t news, ladies.The LBD (Little Black Dress) is the most versatile dress in your collection. Not only will it go anywhere, but you can select it in any style, based on your preferences and your taste. For example, if you have great arms/shoulders, you might choose a style like the dress pictures above. If you’ve got a healthy rack, you might pick a V-neck, or halter style. If you’ve got a tummy, you might find one with an empire waist.

The dress I get the most questions about is the sweatsuit alternative dress. Basically, it’s the easy-to-wear, no fuss, no ironing/styling dress that you throw on to get the mail, walk the dog, hit the grocery store… Basically any time you think “Well, I could wear a sweatsuit - that’d be easy”, that’s when you wear this dress. It should be able to look good with anything from flip flops to heels, messy hair to chignons.

I suggest a dress with some structure, just so you won’t actually look like you’re wearing a sack; however, the dress should be lightweight, easy, and uncomplicated. Much like the above dress. The empire waist is great for any figure, while the colors make the dress seem less like a “throw-on” and more like a special piece.

This is a simple Lotta Stenson wrap dress and, let me tell you, if there’s one style of dress that’ll last you from weekend to work to dates to drinks… It’s a wrap dress. It flatters a large bust, maximizes a small one, the belt around the waist makes you look perfectly hourglass, which is good for boy-shaped girls AND curvy mommas. This dress has it all! And it’s easy-peasy to wear.

The maxi dress is a daunting, yet exciting assignment for the dress-wearer. It’s good for the beach, any boho-chic looks you aspire to, drinks with friends, summer BBQs… It’s a go-all for the wearer. It ought to graze the floor, and have straps that are relatively thin, creating a balance between the massive coverage that the dress delivers. You can have it just be one solid color, or have a cool pattern or print on it, like the one pictured above.

Ah, the sexy sassafras dress. All women really ought to own at least one of these. This is the first date dress, the anniversary dress, the new apartment together dress, and the just-broke-up freedom dress. It should be tasteful, but bring eyes to your sexiest parts - whatever they may be. The dress above is great if your love your ta’s. Also, you could get a sweet mini or baby doll dress if you’ve got legs for miles.

Now onto… ACCESSORIES! This includes (but is most certainly not limited to) bags and shoes. There are so many styles of these two things that it’s tough to narrow down to just a few. But I’ve milled it over and processed for enough days to finally come down with a definite “must-have” list.

Firstly, shoes are absolutely essential to every woman’s wardrobe not just because they cover our feet, but because of our genetic addiction handed down through generations to that which is “aesthetic”. Shoes never tell you that you’re fat, they’ll always match something and they make us feel empowered and sexy - what more could you ask for in an accessory?! The closet essentials for shoes are black peep-toe pumps, brown heels, strappy sandals (high and low), knee high boots, booties and statement heels. Sounds like a lot, but hey, I told you it was a tough list!

The black peep-toe pumps may sound plain and boring to you, but I assure you, they’re not! They’ll polish any outfit and give you an air of classiness that’ll radiate as you stride. I suggest leather, but if you’re not into the whole leather game, then faux is just fine, too. Leave all the crazy straps and buckles and crap out of here, though. You can have a small platform if your feet need it, but these shoes are best served plain.

Alongside the basic-ness of the black peep-toe pump are a killer pair of brown heels because a warm-toned trouser or khaki bermuda short are going to scream for brown over black, and that’s okay! I left the idea of “heel” nice and vague because a strappy brown sandal will likely go with just as much as a pump.

Strappy sandals (low and high) are going to be a major facet for your wardrobe from Spring to Winter. For the high heeled sandal, I’d suggest a thicker strap, and/or lots of them as to not make the foot look too delicate when paired with tights. I’d also suggest against ankle straps, as they cut off the legline and make your stemps look more like stumps. As for as low heeled sandals, flip flops are just fine… But if you want the put-together look that eggs me on from day to day, I’d spring for a pair fo metallic or otherwise embellished flats. They’re great under jeans, a floral dress/skirt, or just a pair of shorts at the beach.

Absolutely crucial to any fall/winter shoe collection is a good knee-high boot. With dresses, over jeans (which I’ve come to love), or just beneath a pair of long trousers - you know how sexy you feel with some hot boots on. Because boots tend to be more expensive, be sure that you invest in the quality of the product, then you’ll be sure they’ll last you a good while. Embellish as you wish.

Oh joy, booties! The newest addition to the essential list. These have become absolutely huge over the last year, and for good reason! They bring a certain distinguished, educated, fun look to any outfit - particularly vintage dresses/skirts. The best part is that pairing them with tights (whether they’re peep-toe or not) is just gorgeous. Invest a bit of change into these, as well. They’ll be around for a good while. I like your typical oxford bootie, but that’s just me. There are zippers, laces, buttons and bobbins to choose from!

Last, but certainly not least for shoes are the statement heels. If you’ve reached this point of the page, you know how I feel about making a statement. These are the shoes that can be worn with almost any basic easily from day to night, depending on your level of “statement”. There are a few brands who consistently churn out some of the best, unique statement shoes I’ve seen: Naughty Monkey, Naughty Monkey, and Besteyville (by Betsey Johnson), just to name a few. I think multi-colored is a bold, but sexy choice - but you can also make your statement through the architecture of the shoe.

Finally, we’re on to glorious, all-encompassing, majestic handbags. Not only do they hold all your crap, but they’re aesthetic to the point of drool, cost upwards of thousands of dollars (sometimes - not here!), and will last you a lifetime if treated well. What’s not to like? For my list, I recommend only a few: a good wallet, an evening clutch, and an everyday catch-all/easy shopper.

The good wallet is an absolute must-have. I recently had to buy a new wallet as my last flat, hinged wallet broke directly in half after only a year’s time. For this debacle, I turned to where I knew I’d find the highest quality: leather. This may be the only time that I preach a single product’s glory in this entire article, but its worth it. I suggest the Hobo International Lauren “Clutch”. It’s amazing. The best part is that it can be used as a day clutch. But if you don’t like it, I typically suggest a wallet that can hold all your cash and cards, and is easily transferable from purse to purse. Also, something with an ID holder, where you don’t have to flash all your bank cards and cash when flashing your ID, would be optimum.

A gorgeous, classy evening clutch is one of the more exciting pieces to shop for. You can decide to get glamorous with sequins, demure with satin, or fun with bamboo, etc. A clutch should be versatile, but still have personality. I suggest something that will fit a lip gloss/stick, cellphone, ID, cash, and mace. I’m not kidding. Neutral colors are good, but mix it up with interesting fabrics or embellishments.

The most used bag out of the three essentials is the everyday catch-all/easy shopper. This is the one you take to the grocery store, downtown, lunch, etc. It has to be able to hold your personal essentials, as well as anything you might need for the day (lotion, mascara, day planner, etc.). It should have a comfortable shoulder strap, and plenty of organizational pockets inside (if that’s what you’re into). The color can fit your personality as you please, but I’d stick with architecturally interesting bags in solid tones. I prefer mine to be huge, because that’s how I roll.

Well, darlings, I hope this has given you some insight into the necessary beings on closet essentials! Let me know if you think I’ve forgotten something!

xoxo.