Wardrobe Basics

I was reading the latest issue of Glamour (or was it Marie Claire? Hard to distinguish anymore). There was an article about how women nowadays are stressaholics. The basic point was that we're so wired in with our PDA's, magazine addictions and constant email checking that we become overloaded with stimuli. They advocated paring things down to the essentials and said some other stuff about taking it easy. I can't remember most of the article because it sounded like every other article about stressed-out women I had read lately, but one part really stuck out to me. They interviewed one woman who said, "I subscribe to nine magazines and two newspapers...Naturally, I can't keep. But I worry that if I don't read them, I will not be on top of things. I need to know: Are chandelier earrings in or out..." (p. 296). Before I had even finished reading her quote I was having a "WTF" moment. Do people really worry about whether or not something is in or out? I mean, sure, people want to know what's in, but who worries about it? That's so strange to me. I wanted to take her aside and say, "Who cares if chandelier earrings are in or out? Wear what you want!"

There is no designer mandate that says you HAVE to wear what's in! I almost never do. I take current trends, vintage pieces and kitschy stuff to make up my outfits. I never look like anyone else, but also always look swell. Maybe it's because I adhere to a few simple style principles, or because I have cultivated a "look" that's my own, but I don't stress out about what's "In" or "Out." If Ugg boots are officially OUT, I will still wear them because they are functional and warm. If chandelier earrings are OUT I will still wear them because they play up my long neck. Screw trends! Wear whatever the hell makes you feel like a young Sophia Loren, a goddess, a bohemian earth mother or any other type of look you feel like channeling at the moment.

That being said, there are a few wardrobe basics, and some other fun pieces that I always find to be essential to my wardrobe. Here's my personalized HFG list. Add to it, subtract from, or ignore it completely. Just have fun with your own style. That's all I ask, really.

Basics:


1) A well-fitting bra and well-fitting underwear
2) A fitted black jacket
3) A basic white button down
4) A great pair of jeans
5) A tailored pair of slightly wide-leg black trousers
6) A cashmere cardigan
7) High quality black, navy, white and brown turtlenecks
8) A little black dress
9) A silk camisole in a pretty jewel tone
10) A black pencil skirt
11) A trench coat
12) Hanes plain white tees
13) Ballet flats
14) Classic pumps
15) Classic tall boots (brown and black)
16) A great handbag
17) A peacoat
18) Belt

Great extras:

1) A classic watch
2) Pearl necklace
3) Diamond studs
4) A gold chain
5) A vintage rock and roll t-shirt
6) A trapeze/swing jacket
7) Oversized Jackie O sunglasses
8) A classic tote bag
9) A gorgeous cocktail dress
10) A leopard print coat
11) Jeweled cuff
12) A beautiful clutch
13) A v-neck sweater
14) A black and white striped t-shirt
15) Wrap dress
16) Neutral pumps or slingbacks
17) A pashmina
18) A sequin tunic
19) Leggings
20) Skinny jeans


All of these things are loosely interpreted so that each individual item can be made your own. Your version of a great white button down might be a dramatic Diane Von Furstenberg version, or a simple version from Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Whatever items you choose are unique because YOU chose them. Let the runways and the It Girls influence you as much as you want, but please don't become a homogenized clone.