I’d like to preface this by saying that I think lists designating the things women should own are a hot lot of hooey. Everyone woman (and man!) is different, so saying that we all need a black suit, white shirt, trench coat, and black heels is a bit of bullshit.
As a result, I think it’s important we spend a bit of time thinking about what our own wardrobe essentials are. What are those Top 10 Pieces we CANNOT live without?
So I present my own personal Top 10, all of the great items that I cannot live without…
1. Most importantly, probably over all, a great pair of black flats. Flats being anything under a 2″ heel. I live in this shoe before any other shoe. From Converse to Fluevogs, they have come in a variety of shapes and sizes. My go-to shoe for almost any activity, from class to work to grocery shopping or a night at the bar.
2. Great jeans. While not at work, jeans make up a great portion of my lounge wear. From boot cut to straight leg, dark wash to vintage, each pair has a different voice and place in my life.
3. Perfect T-Shirts. T-shirts get a bad rap for being casual, but I love them for layering. As my Urban Outfitters tunics start to disintegrate (they’re about 3 years old!), I have to keep an eye out for nice, fitted, and flattering t-shirts… easier said than done! A nice soft and thin (but not so thin it’s unflattering) cotton can be hard to find! Tunic length is preferable, as they add a nice flash of color around the hips under sweaters in the winter, as does a crew neck under a v-neck sweater…
4. What kind of New Orleans’ girl would I be if I didn’t include my love of over the top hair wares on this list? From wigs and falls, to feathered hair pieces and headbands, my head is happy when I have shiny, sparkly baubles to adorn it with.
5. To contrast against the staple black flat, I love having funky footwear. It’s my bold accessory of choice! Brands like Betsey Johnson, Irregular Choice, and John Fluevog routinely hold their place in my closet because of this category. Why wear a little black dress with little black heels, when you can wear a little black dress with hot pink heels! Or polka dot ones?
6. Sailor Stripes! I have a hard time living without (at least) one black and white striped shirt! While I love stripes of all shapes, sizes, and colors, it is really the black and white striped shirt that really holds a place in my heart…
7. Yummy Loungewear Having a comfortable domestic life is important to cozy knit Cancer girls like myself. So having appropriately comfortable domestic wear is equally important. From sexy pajamas like those offered by Sandmaiden (who I LOVE) to the Beau’s over-sized sweatpants or to boxer briefs and a wife-beater, I love to be comfortable and I love to feel sexy.
8. A signature necklace. For years it was my lightning bolt necklace; later, a unicorn piece was added. The two have withstood many epic feats in an attempt to keep them around my neck, but eventually the wear and tear got to be too much. It broke my heart– the necklace was a part of me. I still have the charms, and one day will wear them again. Until then, I’m finding my “Curiouser & Curiouser” Disney Couture necklace a great replacement– two charms that tell the world who I am!
9. A subtle but great looking purse. I tend to be a particular shopper in general, but when it comes to handbags, it had better be gobstopper everlasting love! I don’t have nearly the collection that some girls do, but I feel like what I have is stylish, practical, and beautiful. More than anything else in my wardrobe, my purses are seen as a long-term investment… and so the bag had better pay off!
10. Should it come as any surprise that footwear holds three spots on this list? Number 10 on this list is what I love to call “lazy shoes.” For some they are flip flops; for me, it’s an easy, cute, and cheap slip-on shoe that I can throw on to take out the trash, run an errand, or walk to the Beau’s house. I love hunting places like TJ Maxx and Target for these shoes.
Ladies for more inspiration:
♥ Mademoiselle Robot
♥ Une Femme d’un Certain Age
What makes up your wardrobe’s barest bones? Anything you know that you can’t live without?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This is my post about the same thing!
It is funny to see how different our basics are.
I just started writing about basics last night, hee.
Mine would have to include lots of different tights, jeans and solid tank tops, and the rest is allowed to be pretty ridiculous.
@Kylie – Tanks tops are a great basic! I live in them during the summer time…
I agree with a lot of the stuff on your list actually! Numbers 2, 5, 6, and 10. I LOVE Irregular Choice footwear – I’m actually currently dying to find a pair of flats that they made, that were previously on 6pm.com – these really cute pointy pink leopard print ones with gold edging.
I just found your blog, I’m not even sure where from, but I really like it so far! :)
Michelle