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10 Essentials Every Woman Should Have in Her Closet
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The Budget Fashionista | DivineCaroline
November 21, 2008
How many times have you looked into your closet and thought, “I have nothing to wear.” If you hear yourself uttering this statement more often than not, you have a dysfunctional closet. It is probably missing several key pieces that allow you to easily transition from one outfit to the next. It’s time to stop the insanity and get a functional closet.
The perfect ten, ten classic pieces that should be in every woman’s wardrobe, is the best remedy to a dysfunctional closet. It’s truly amazing the number of outfits that can be made when these ten items rest in your wardrobe: at least thirty-two different combinations. Along with your signature item, the majority of your shopping dollars should be spent on classic, well made versions of these items that fit your personal style.
The Ten Things Needed for a Functional Closet:
1. Black Suit
4. A Pair of Great Fitting Jeans
5. Black Dress
7. Tote Bag
8. Sneakers
9. Trench Coat/All-Weather Coat
Abusedwife
12 days ago
2 comments
Um...... for skinny women maybe. Not everyone has a 5 inch waist.
JJR
16 days ago
14 comments
Great tips! How about fashion accessories like belt, scarf, etc?
NadiaJones
17 days ago
2 comments
totally agree with those list - esp. having a great fitting jeans
SenderofCards
about 1 month ago
1286 comments
I'm way behind, I have the sneakers, khakis and the tote bags.
whimsey4you
about 1 month ago
24 comments
Nobody looks good in clothes off the rack...nobody at any size.
The best thing I have ever done was buy something I loved and had it altered to fit me perfectly. Sometimes this meant buying two really wonderful dresses that only came in a size "nobody but Barbie" wears and had my tailor remake them into one dress that put both the tiny ridiculous ones to shame.
For many years I was a size 18/20 and it was difficult to find a suit or dress in my size that didn't look matronly. Why is it that designers think that if you are plus size you obviously must be over 50? I have often bought two of something and had it remade into something which fits well and is age appropriate. As styles change I have had hems lengthened or shortened as well as sleeves redone.
If you buy a nice clearance item and then spend a bit more to have it altered it WILL make you look like a million bucks. A good tailor is not that expensive. Looking for good fabrics is a key. My favorite find was blue three piece suit at JC Pennys on sale for only $45 (originally $200) which looked "okay" but after some alterations it was va-va-voom. I had other women begging me to tell them where I bought that suit and they refused to believe it was JC Pennys.
I have one perfect little black dress that I work miracles with to dress up or down. The fabric is wonderful and denies wrinkles. Whether I wear it with leggings , a sweater and boots or kiss-me red pumps with a red blazer... it always rocks. When I wore it the first time I went back and bought two more and put them away for when this one wears out.
TheEverydayFeminist
about 1 month ago
646 comments
I like the idea of 'staple' items for a wardrobe. I agree with most of the items on the list- especially the white dress shirt. The styles of white blouses have changed through my life, (puffy pirate/ tuxedo, etcc..), but there is usually one in my closet.
marymutuas
about 1 month ago
10 comments
i hAVE LEARNED ALOT FROM THIS ARTICLE. I WANT MORE TIPS ON HOW TO DRESS, THE TIPS ARE SUPPERB
priyalena
about 1 month ago
10 comments
I like what Lisaine said ! That is so true. People do not think of + size women ! I also do not have the possibility to just toss around things and go shopping .... I have recently started to do t-shirts for +size women and wish to sell them on my part of the world. If some other women could think of that option then it would definitely help
stgreg11
about 1 month ago
98 comments
Now I have to buy a suit!
nyloe
about 1 month ago
76 comments
Great article. And for those ladies (like me) who don't wear pants or jeans, skirts that are at the knee or a little below the knee are great substitutes for pants.
Emily85
about 1 month ago
2 comments
I love this article! Great advice! I've recently graduated, and this will help my transition into the "real" world" :)
AngieToussaint
about 1 month ago
116 comments
Very good article and advice.
Thanks,
~Angie
Tamara
about 1 month ago
28 comments
I have dress outfits I only wear them when I have to go to a meeting or conference other than that I am in jeans and a nice shirt. Everyday I am stuck and wanting something else to wear. Many times I have just thrown out clothes and started over. Maybe it is that time again to do this for myself:) I got out of the habit of wearing dress clothes I will take a new avenue in my clothes, thanks for the suggestions!
lisaine
about 1 month ago
2 comments
Oh this is *great* - if you're a skinny woman! If you're not, however, this will NOT help you in the slightest. Spandex in any form does not help a larger size body. Not everyone can find jeans that fit, so how can that be an essential? And last, not everyone looks good in black. Got a signature item in your closet? Great! Use that to determine your base color for the separates you'll buy. Maybe your base color will be grey or white, or even brown. Is your closet a complete rainbow? Maybe you should pick out the one overwhelming color, and I'm sure there is one that you have more of than the rest, and use that for your signature *color.* Lastly, not everyone can afford to toss out what they have right now and go buy all new...even from thrift stores! How about an article that takes the average out of control closet and pares it down to something versatile? I'd be excited to read that!
freecherry
about 1 month ago
24 comments
I love this.I'm going shopping tomorrow. It seems that I have most of the 10.