Wardrobe Checklist Fall 2013

1) Vintage tee: Whether or not it has a print, pick one with a super soft hand and faded colors.  Have fun with it!  Here is a great blog post about how to find the best vintage tee.

2) Leopard flats:  Leopard is the new neutral!  They're super practical because they go with anything and they're comfortable for walking in all day.  Dress them up for work and down for the weekends.  Get a pair now!

3) Sparkly necklace: Pick one in a shorter length and it will top off any outfit.  Watch it glam up that vintage tee or play up a classic buttondown by tucking around the collar.

4) Plaid buttondown:  These aren't just for cowboys anymore.  Just like leopard, plaid is a great neutral.  You can even pair it with another print, so long as the color palette is the same.  Or, pair it with a micro print, like on the skirt, and you're set to go. 

5) Printed skirt: Pick your silhouette (a-line, short and full, pencil) and find a great little print.  When the print is small enough, the skirt reads as a neutral, even though it has so much oomph!

6) Black skinnies: So versatile.  Wear for work or for play.  Add a blouse and heels for a sexy weekend look or pair with a chunky sweater and booties for a cozy fall look.

7) Denim chambray: Classic.  Goes with everything.  Throw it under a dress to make it casual, throw it over a tee and wear open as a jacket, or tie at the waist.  Or tuck it into a skirt.  The options are endless here.

8) Tan suede booties:  The neutral color goes with everything in your wardrobe.  We all love tall boots, but update yourself with this shorter style.  Wear with a playful dress to give it some fall-ish weight, or wear with cuffed skinnies for a rocker look.

9)  Chunky sweater:  Such a fall staple.  Wear alone or over a buttondown, and let the color and sleeve cuffs show.  Pair with jeans or with a skirt.  Cozy and sophisticated!

10) Moto jacket:  Here's a new staple in your coat closet!  Pick a neutral color with lots of hardware to toughen up your look a bit.  Its clean lines and neat tailoring keep it polished, though.

11) Bootcut jeans:  Where have you been?  While skinnies are really great, a good pair of bootcut jeans is SUCH a classic.  They give curves to those who need them.  They complement curves for those who have them.  They're sexy, but casual.  Get a good fit (read: go tight or go home).  No baggy booty!

A couple tips:

- Experiment with layering unexpected combinations.  Most of the above pieces can be mixed together.  Never thought to tuck a band tee into a tailored little pencil skirt?  Give it a try!  But also throw a jacket over it so you don't feel too nutty. 

- Squint your eyes.  Look in the mirror and squint.  Something look off?  When you squint your eyes, you focus less on the detail and more on the overall balance of the outfit.  That's the key to looking/feeling put together. 

- Stay true to yourself.  NOTHING is going to look good if you don't feel confident.  Try picking just one piece to play with, and don't force yourself to be someone you're not.  It's good to challenge yourself, but you don't want to try to look like someone else!

Wardrobe Checklist

Today, I am excited to share with you my wardrobe checklist! I've been working on fine tuning it for a little while now, and I think I've got it down. Many people ask what they need to have in their closet to get by. I made this checklist so that you can assess your current wardrobe or hit the stores with a clear focus in mind. Think of it more as a canvas for you to add your signature touches to. If you have these pieces in your wardrobe, anything that you buy will fit right on in. These pieces are all very versatile and can be mixed and matched. Here it is!


The dark wash jeans are a great medium between formal and casual. They bring a bit of polish to an everyday outfit, but they're still jeans. Just make sure they stay crisp. Once they fade or tear at the hems, they need to go!

 The straight leg jeans are incredibly versatile. For a relaxed look, cuff the bottoms to about 4 inches. Just fold them over once. Since the leg is slim, you can also tuck them into boots during the cooler months. Here is my favorite way to wear mine:

The t-shirts and tanks are integral. These are really going to be pulling a lot of weight for your wardrobe. Since you'll be wearing them frequently, be sure to go for quality. While Forever21 is great for trendy pieces and cheap jewelry, go to J.Crew, Gap, or Loft for these. They're built to last.

Cardigans are perfect! I love them! I suggest in the checklist to have three colors handy, but I have even more in my own wardrobe. These pull double duty between casual and polished. They lend themselves to be accessorized and cover you shoulders when you need some modesty. Perfect with a black dress or over a tank. They will take you far. See how one of my favorite bloggers wears hers here.

A black dress, as you may have heard, is probably the single most versatile piece of clothing that a woman should own. It works the hardest of all, being completely appropriate for a multitude of situations. Any is fine, but make sure it's knee length or a bit longer. I prefer mine to be sleeveless so I can wear it with a cardigan without being bulky. The more streamlined and simple the pattern and silhouette, the more versatile.