Your Basic Wardrobe Must Haves

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What does every well-dressed woman have in her closet?  Whether you are Catherine Zeta-Jones, Oprah Winfrey, or Jackie Jensen from the down the street, there are some basic items that every well-dressed woman has in her wardrobe.  With these basic items you can put together a look for any occasion.

Clothing

With a few core pieces of clothing you can put together a wide variety of fashionable outfits.  If you have the following basic items in your closet, you can supplement them with other items to finish out a look, or just mix and match and always be in style.  Because these items are the bedrock of your wardrobe, buy quality items.  This is not the place to skimp on price.

  • White button-down shirt
  • Little black dress
  • Black pencil skirt
  • Black blazer
  • Slim black trousers
  • Khaki pants
  • Dark wash blue jeans
  • White and black cardigan sweaters
  • Cute pajamas
  • Well-fitting undergarments
  • Beige trench coat

Shoes

What woman doesn’t love shoes? Most women have many pairs of shoes in their closet.  Two pairs that every woman should have are:

  • Black pumps
  • Stylish comfortable flats

Accessories

Accessories can change the look of an outfit from casual to formal.  The three classic accessories that every woman should own are:

  • Black leather bag
  • Set of pearls
  • Diamond or cubic zirconium studs

 

Keeping up-to-date is as simple has adding a new top or blazer or a cute pair of sling back shoes.  The seasonal items will come and go, but the basics will stand the test of time.

Style Tips for Petite Women

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It can be challenging for petite women to find flattering clothing, when so many items are designed for a taller frame. But being under 5-foot-4 doesn’t mean you have to be short on style! Following a few simple fashion tips for petite women will help you create the illusion of a long, lean frame.

  • Keep it simple. A petite frame can get lost in a busy pattern.
  • Shop for petite sizes. For example, when you buy a coat in a petite size, the sleeves are tailored for shorter arms. The same is true with pants, if you buy pants in an average or misses’ size, the legs will be too long and the inseam will not be in proper proportion for your height.
  • Pinstripes make you look taller because of their vertical line. Be wary of horizontal stripes because they can make you look even shorter than you are — the exception would be if you have an extremely slight frame.
  • Is that a tote bag or a piece of luggage? Petite women should carry bags that are proportionate to their height.
  • By wearing shoes that are close to your skin tone, you make your legs look longer. In winter, match your tights to your shoes or boots to get the same effect.
  • Look for dark-rinse jeans, the darker color helps slim and lengthen your legs.
  • Say no to shoes with ankle straps, the strap breaks up the line of your leg, which in turn makes you look shorter.
  • Don’t be afraid to have clothing tailored. Alterations can give your wardrobe a customized look and fit. A great tailor can take in a pair of pants at the waist, make armholes smaller or sleeves shorter.