Staple Wardrobe 101

Hello Lovelies,

How was your weekend?  Were you as excited as I was about the return of the Walking Dead?  Or did you watch the Grammy's?

This morning I was thinking about my staple wardrobe, and thought that it might be good to share some tips and tricks for finding clothes that will work for YOU.  You've already seen the pieces that should be incorporated into your staple wardrobe (tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear and footwear), so I've listed some of my tips and tricks of creating and buying a working closet below.

The best place to start is in your closet, dressers and drawers.  Make a list of all the items you currently own that would be considered a wardrobe staple.  For anything that you don't have, make a list and bring it with you whenever you go out shopping, or refer to it while you're perusing online.  I keep mine on my phone and just check it off once I've purchased it.

The staples may not be as exciting as that new pair of red pants you just spotted or that cute peplum top you've been drooling over, but without them you may find yourself standing in front of your bulging closet saying "I have nothing to wear".

Some things to keep in mind when you're looking for your closet staples:

1.  Fit is key.

Reese Witherspoon's outfit is quite simple above, in that it incorporates only pieces in a "staple wardrobe", but it looks so classic because of how great it fits.  It just shows how you can create a timeless look using a few simple pieces that fit you to a tee.  Similarly, Jennifer Anniston below is wearing jeans, a t-shirt and a blazer.  This again is a very simple outfit, but because it fits her so well, she's looking awesome, as usual.

2.  KISS - keep.it.simple.silly. 

When you're searching for your staple wardrobe, another thing to keep in mind is the simplicity of it.  Don't go for a shirt with lots of bells and whistles.  Something with clean lines in a classic shape will be sure to last from season to season.  Also, make sure you look at washing instructions.  If you know you won't take something to the dry cleaner - don't buy it. 

Both of the outfits below, on the lovely Mila Kunis and the fashionable Olivia Palermo, show exactly what I mean by keeping it simple.  Mila's black leather skirt is in a timeless pencil skirt shape and her blouse is a nice shape, fits well and is not overstated.  For Olivia Palermo's look, nothing can be simpler than jeans, a white tank and a military jacket.

3.  Add accessories to make it your own.

Blake Lively is always so gorgeous and fashionable.  Here, her look is so classic - a white button-up and black cigarette pants - but she's jazzed it up by adding a big chunky belt and some statement shoes. 

Rachel Bilson, along with Blake Lively, is another one of my favourite celebrity dressers.  She just has a way of dressing that looks so comfortable chic.  Here's she's got on a great cotton dress (a good layering piece) but has made it her own by adding some patterned stockings and a great printed scarf.

4.  Incorporate trends.

Once you've got fit, simplicity and accessories, you can start adding items to play with some of your favourite trends.  Both of these pictures below show how you can incorporate trends into your staple wardrobe with ease.  Lauren Conrad paired a neutral boyfriend jacket with a black blousy shirt and some leather/pleather tights.  Kate Middleton decided that she wanted to wear some coral pants, and who wouldn't when they can look so chic.  She paired them with some simple items (a white tee, blazer, black flats and a scarf).

I hope this helps you along your way to creating and maintaining your staple wardrobe.

Tata for now.
xoxo.