Styling Basics

Beauty starts from within, once you've got that down the wardrobe should definitely match who you are inside.  Finding a style all your own is the key to having genuinely great style.  Simply knocking off someone's look wont cut it.  Sure you can take ideas and incorporate them into your own style, but taking them and making them your own is what fashion is all about.  It's all about interpretation and perspective.  I personally don't  follow "trends" very strictly because they are just that.  I invest a lot of time and money into my closet, so I want to be sure that I can wear the things I buy season after season.  First, it's important to have these "staples" in your closet:

• A great Sport Coat in navy, black and camel (with a cute lining for rolling up sleeves)
• Classic stiletto pumps in nude and black (patent or kid leather will do)
• A fabulous black and brown/nude handbag
• A casual yet chic handbag option in both colors as well (perhaps a cross body)
• Great jeans in every cut and length (for flats and heels you need differing lengths)
• Gold and silver stud earrings
• Gold and silver chandelier earrings
• Ballet flats in brown and black
• Great sandals in brown and black
• Great pair of boyfriend jeans (you can dress these up or down to look effortlessly chic)
• Scarves, lots of scarves, they can take any outfit from drab to chic in seconds
• A fierce pair of heels that have a pop of color (I choose red, it's always in style)
• An oversized gold watch and an understated silver watch
• An oversized watch with a black leather band and brown leather band
• Lots of arm candy, dressy and casual
• Chambray shirts (dark to light in color, variety is always good)
• Black, nude bras and strapless bras...it's not ok to wear a nude bra with a black top, wear  black!
• Black, nude and white bandeau top
• Reversible belt with light gold buckle to wear with silver or gold jewelry
• Statement necklaces are a must have.
• Black, nude and white silk camisoles.
• Sexy lingerie that makes you feel sexy (even if you're single, it's not for him, it's for you)
• Little Black Dress
• Leggings
• Classic trench
• An evening clutch in nude and black

It seems like an overwhelming list, but once you have all of this, you have the skeleton for your wardrobe. All you have to do is add trends here and there but the aforementioned will last you for years and years if you take good care of your things.  Don't fret, if you don't have all of these things you don't need to rush out and break the bank to get it all in one day.  Slowly work yourself up to getting all of these staple pieces.  Remember, Rome Wasn't built in a Day!!  Once you have these pieces, then you can add inexpensive trendy items that you don't mind getting rid of once they are out of style.  Keeping your closet "fresh" is super important in fashion.  Don't keep it and wait for it to recirculate 10-20 years from now, that leaves less room for the now!