Every great, high-functioning closet begins with a foundation of essentials that always work. Here, the building blocks for yours.
If you spend most of your time on your feet:
What your wardrobe should look like: 50% work staples, 40% casual basics, 10% dressy items.
Practical yet refined pieces are ideal for those who need to be comfortable and professional. Teachers, salespeople, frequents travelers; that's you. Good additions to these staples: a classic trench, ankle-length pants in a ponte knit, and a colorful cardigan.
Wedge booties. Shock-absorbing saviors that up the cool quotient of skirts and pants.
Long pendant. Jazzes up any outfit
Stretch-with-you dress. As flattering as a wrap, but with no risk of peep show.
Knit skirt. This nonclingly, knee length pick just skims the body.
Shape-shifting belt. Stash it in your bag to change up your outfit in seconds.
Just-big-enough tote. Lug your life without weighing yourself down.
Flowy top. V-necked, cap sleeve, and versatile, whether it's tucked in or worn loose.
If you spend most of you time at the office:
What your wardrobe should look like
60% work staples, 30% dressy items, 10% casual basics
Stick with classics, but stand out from the working stiffs by peppering a subdued palette with jewel tones, like ruby and sapphire. Other team players: a crisp white shirt, a tailored blazer, and a knee-length skirt.
Carryall with cachet. Professional polish doesn't require a corner-office paycheck.
Do-it-all sheath. Today's version of power dressing also works after hours.
Sharp watch. Because when you pull out your smartphone for a time check, you look as if you're slacking off.
Workhorse black pants. Understated enough to wear to death, and the drapey fit makes button-downs chic.
Bold collarbone-grazing necklace. It's the ideal length for modest necklines.
Bow blouse. Softens the corporate vibe of pencil skirts.
Neutral heels. Conservative? Yes. Boring? No way.
If you spend most of your time out and about:
What your wardrobe should look like
40% dressy items, 30% casual basics, 30% work staples.
There always seems to be a dinner, a work event, a casual get-together, or a big bash to go to. That means you need dressed-up pieces that you can adapt for any occasion. Dark jeans, layering tees, and an LBD will round out your closet.
Metallic clutch. A color like silver is seasonless and goes with everything.
Wear-anywhere top. Seriously--movie night, a business meeting, a dinner party.
Showstopping earrings. Go all out. Even the most sparkly danglers can jibe with a laid-back sweater.
Patterned party skirt. Gives you more options than a dress. Depending on what you pair it with, it can be ultra fancy or sort of sweet.
Statement heels. When you're wearing amazing shoes, you don't have to try so hard with your outfit.
Jeweled cardigan. It's festive enough to skip jewelry entirely.
If you spend most of your time at home:
What your wardrobe should look like
70% casual basics, 20% dressy items, 10% work staples
It's easy to fall into a yoga-pants rut when you telecommute or take care of the kids. What you could really use are styles that can multitask around the house as effectively as you do and look smart when you venture out. The goal is an outfit that looks pulled-together but not overly fussy. Mix up your rotation with flat boots, a chambray short, and quality leggings.
Fun flats. Bold color and details amplify a low-key look.
Billowy tunic. As chilled-out as a t-shirt yet entirely feminine.
Oversized cardigan. Bathrobe-cozy but also sophisticated.
Whisper-weight scarf. One less thing to worry about. It takes place of a necklace, adding color to a neutral outfit while providing warmth.
Utilitarian cross-body bag. You may need your hands to hold, well, smaller hands.
Default denim. When jeans feel as stretchy as leggings, you'll want to wear them every day.
