Fall, the best fashion season, is still upon us, and with this joyous time of eating and bundling-up comes the desire to rock lots of fantastic clothes. It’s also time for Ms. M. to reevaluate her wish list of staples.
Here’s the idea:
We’ve all noted the cyclical classics that come round every 12–22 years: the mod-style mini trapeze dress, the platform wedges, the sexy British librarian pencil skirt, etc. These are the fun items to own, but only if they work for your body. However, in an altogether different category are The Classics: the elegant, yet simple, staples you see draped across all-knowing Parisian women, long-gone Hollywood icons, and, most often, your grandmother.
“French woman are steeped in the importance of style as small children. I actually think their "look" comes from confidence, buying quality over quantity, a certain nonchalance (they never look perfect, but always compelling) and a willingness to balance comfort and style... ”
--Robin Givhan, Washington Post
As Ms. M lives on a budget and can’t clear-out Burberry’s inventory in a single haul, she has to shop strategically—like an ancient forager scouting the horizon for the supplest, hearty, and most calorie-laden berry.
A staples wish list is a single sheet of paper you keep tucked in your purse, next to your wallet. Listed on it are all the classic items you wished you owned to round-out your closet, maximize the variability of your wardrobe combinations, and, of course, make you look fierce.
The wish list is there to remind you what to look for when the opportunity arises—and to keep you from being distracted by trendy junk you’ll hate in 2 months. Refer to it when you see the “clearance sale” emails in your in-box, when you walk through Nordstrom, when you log-on to Ebay.
Now, being fairly liberal and artistic, I know many of the items listed below will strike some of you as stodgy and conservative. My caveat is that my sample wish list is just that—mine—targeted to my color and trend preferences. Adjust yours accordingly. And remember, these are classics—the foundations you use to build your own sense of personal style. If they are well-made (or well-maintained) many of these items can be owned forever... which will transform you into the classically-dressed grandma.
--Knee-length, belted trench coat
--Ivory/Winter-white wool coat for formal occasions (3/4 length; stand-up Nehru-esque collar with belt; or swing coat)
--Nice Lingerie from La Perla (this won’t last for generations, btw)
--Menswear trousers and jeans
--Boatneck sweaters, tees (my neck isn’t as long as it looks in these tees)
--Silky camis and shells for work, play and wearing under blazers
--Work and drink-appropriate blouses with ties, ruffles, and bolder patterns (avoid cap or pleated baby doll sleeves, as they make my arms look like sausages)
--Cotton, fitted blazer (pale shade)
--Wool, colored blazer (like J. Crew’s jewel tones or Balenciaga’s)
--Navy blazer (schoolboy, gold buttons)
--Chanel-esque boxy blazer/coat with texture
--Black shift dress
--Denim skirt
--A-line tweed, wool skirts
--Black, high-waisted pencil skirt
--V-neck sweaters (black, grey, orange)
--Brown pointed-toe heels (2-3”)
--Ballet flats (colored, brown, black, metallic)
--Brightly-colored heels (red or orange or green)
--Open-toed wedges
--Platform pumps (not patented leather, unless I want to look like a porn star)
--Driving moccasins
--Tall black boots
--Wellies/rainboots
--Casual brown belt
--Skinny color belt
--Colored tights
--Textured tights
--Semi-opaque hose
--Long, thin necklace with gold pendant
--Enamel, color, and silver bangles
--Small pearl earrings
--Black/grey fat pearl necklace
--Gold dress watch
--Small, silk scarf (Hermes-esque, masculine print)
--Cashmere wrap
--Saddle-brown hobo/tote
--Large Birkin bag (black or blue)
--Quilted chanel-esque purse with chain
--Colored clutch
--Sequined top/jacket
Please note: Tim Gunn has his own top 10 must-own items. He knows what he’s doing, ladies, so check him out. My wish list is definitely longer than 10 items, but like that horrible movie, Mr. Holland’s Opus, it’s everything I would like to own before I die.
p.s. image courtesty of http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/14/1060588519683.html?from=storyrhs
