Outfit photo: 5 wardrobe essentials

There's been plenty of talk around the blogosphere recently about how much is enough and what we consider true wardrobe staples. I had to laugh this morning as I went running out the door, because pretty much everything I had on fell into that category for me. Photos courtesy of Ali, sea shell and all.

Essential #1: Denim jacket. Goes with pretty much everything - dresses, skirts, pants, tunics; prints, solids, bright colors, neutrals - and if you're lucky enough to work in an environment where it's passably OK to show up in a denim jacket as I do, 1 jacket will take you through 85% of your lifestyle needs for 2 seasons, possibly 3. I like to casually rumple the sleeves up midway as you can see.

Essential #2: Boots. I like mine flat, waterproof, and comfortable. Your criteria might be different. These may be a tad casual for work but I wear them in anyways. Great for commuting and for pairing with skirts or dresses in fall, winter, and early spring.

Essential #3: Basic cardigan. Mine is black and slightly cropped, thin and very fitted, which means it layers really well over pretty much every blouse and dress I own and, again, works for both office and hanging out with friends. For me, the cropped length works really well with my height, but also means that if I button it over a blouse that hits at high/mid hip, it gives me a bit of a waistcoat/vest look. Multiple looks, one cardigan! I think I've had it for 4 or 5 years now and the elbows are finaly starting to show some sheen and it doesn't quite hold its shape. Sigh. Hate the thought of scrounging up a replacement, its utterly perfect.

(My "Casual-er Friday" look)

Essential #4: Fun tights. Gives any outfit a kick when you just can't be bothered with making it lively. I love these mustard ones, although they are eerily kind of close enough to my regular skin tone to possibly make me look jaundiced-like. Besides bright tights, patterns like argyle or stripes work well (I don't do dots because they stretch terribly across my calves and thighs), or unexpected neutrals like olive green.

Essential #5: A dress you adore. For when you really don't want to think about what to wear but still want to look good. I tend towards bright and quirky, what can I say?



And my bonus essential, Essential #6, is a neutral, patterned scarf. The neutral colors mean it will go with pretty much any outfit you put together, but the pattern gives additional visual interest. And, because its neutral, you can wear it repeatedly without looking like you're wearing the same thing over and over again.