BlogHer - wardrobe basics - Comments

Closet Shopping, "Orphans," in your closet?

Nancy Wardrobe Wizard — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:19:19 -0500

Nancy, Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore, www.Wardrobewiz.com

Susan, Yes, I agree, in order to go shopping in your own closet you need to have some items that fit, and aren't in tatters.

It also helps to understand your body shape and the styles that flatter your body. It also is important to know your best colors. I find that many women have what I call "orphans," in their closets. These are items that don't go with anything else and never get worn as a result.

What can you do about all those orphans in your closet? You can take them shopping with you and find something that matches or you can take them to a consignment shop and get some money for them.

Perfect Black Pants

anatomyofstyle — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:23:19 -0500

I've worked with women and their wardrobes for years. It is amazing what you can pull together if you have the perfect black pants. And, what I mean by having the perfect black pants is that you have the ones that work for the occasion. I found Krazy Larry pants (I know the name is interesting but the pants are great) and haven't looked back. There is a style for any body shape, they are washable, look expensive, come in 3 lengths and 3 fabrics. www.krazylarrypants.com

It depends on your definition of "essential."

Susan Wagner — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:59:14 -0600

Wardrobe essentials are pieces that you wear and wear and wear -- they are versatile and flattering and useful all at once. We tend to think of "essentials" as classic, Preppy pieces, but I don't think they have to be -- if YOU are wearing all seven pairs of black pants on a regular basis, then yes they are essential components of YOUR closet.

But if those drop-crotch MC Hammer pants just hang there, waiting for the perfect top or the perfect occasion or the perfect alignment of the stars, then they are NOT essentials at all.

As I said in the post, I would recommend a flat-front, wide-leg trouser as a good basic black pant, but mine are neither -- they are slim and cropped and velvet, and I wear them all the time. So for me, that is an essential piece.

It's your call. (And I own seve pairs of those slim, cropped pants, in five different colors, so I do hear you about the multiples. But again, I wear them ALL THE TIME.)

Friday Playdate

Agree!

Down Comforters — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:14:28 -0600

I agree totally. Every girl needs a good pair of basic black pants - they're so versatile & are one item you can wear year-round for all kinds of occasions. I really like J. Crew & Express for pants-shopping.

http://www.shopdownlite.com

What if you already have seven pairs?

TheStyleSample — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:15:11 -0600

Is it okay to buy more?

The thing about black pants is that because they are a closet essential (no argument from me on that--you're preaching to the choir over here), I can always justify buying "just one more pair." Recently, I bought a pair of silky drop-crotch black pants--yes, like MC Hammer--and justified it by telling myself that since they're black, they'll go with anything.

They are now hanging in my closet along with the cotton crops from the Gap, high-waisted wide-legs from Anthropologie, trousers from Express, pinstriped trousers from Forever21, culottes from lord knows where, leggings from American Apparel, and tapered skinnies from H&M. All black. All essential?

Tamia

Nothing to wear? Visit http://thestylesample.com

A personal style blogazine for young professionals

I'm a skirt girl, too!

Susan Wagner — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:23:51 -0600

I would always prefer a skirt to pants, for a whole long list of reasons, and that's why I loved your post so much -- plus it was funny and well written.

And we're always happy to share the BlogHer link love with smart, funny women. ;)

Friday Playdate

OK, You're Right.

Already Pretty — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:03:26 -0600

Thanks for the mention, Susan! For the record, I totally respect the pant ... I know many women vastly prefer trousers and feel far more comfortable in them. For my bod, though, it's skirts all the way.

BUT you're absolutely right: A chic, flattering pair of dressy-ish pants is a wardrobe staple that no gal should live without. Word.

http://www.alreadypretty.com/

Pants

shoalswriter — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:41:23 -0600

Great links on the pants issue. Pants are tough to get right, but when you do, it's glorious! You're right, I think, that a pair of basic black pants are essential, but please not the baggy shapeless polyester department-store kind that come with a matching and equally shapeless blazer. It takes time and effort to find a really great pair of tailored black pants, but it's well worth it.

Cathy

cathylwood.wordpress.com

I love them

Kian Yamaguchi — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:17:12 -0600

but like nearly everything post-baby, I can't find one that doesn't make me look chunky or frumpy. Or like I'm channeling the 80's.

http://mamafasha.blogspot.com my fabulous must-read blog ;)

http://MKSkinCare.myarbonne.com check out our new FCT5 line!

I heart cardis!

PositivelyAnna — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:08:32 -0600

Anna B

You are right! Cardigans are the best and my closet is filled with them. JCrew also has tons of great cardigans. The catalogue has different color combinations that I never thought of before.

http://positivelyanna.blogspot.com/

Nice tip!

carablogs — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:37:25 -0600

My budget for clothing is tight, so I love the versatility of a cardigan. It means that I can buy one or two nice cardigans and wear cheapo shirts/tees underneath and have a nice looking outfit. Thanks!!

Cara
Check me out @ repurposeful
blogging to find new purpose for everyday things

Cardigans - so versatile

conversationswithmoms — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:42:22 -0600

They are so practical. I love them.

Maria Melo

http://www.conversationswithmoms.com

cardigan

suze61 — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:24:27 -0600

thanks for a great post!

I wear cardigans all the time, typically open at the neck with a camisole underneath. Why? At 47 I feel like my collarbones are maybe the only bodypart still in pretty good shape, and by displaying them I hope to distract from some uh, ~~flawed~~ less perfect parts. The vertical line created by the placket doesn't hurt either...

I love trench coats and

Kian Yamaguchi — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:42:37 -0600

I love trench coats and have owned one ever since I was a sophomore in high school (classic black) (please don't ask me what ever happened to that coat, I don't remember and the fact that I no longer have it depresses me). I currently have a (shoddily made) beige trench, too thin for cooler weather. I'm thinking that I need that red one, and perhaps the navy.... I'm sure I could justify *one* of them. Right?

http://mamafasha.blogspot.com my fabulous must-read blog ;)

http://MKSkinCare.myarbonne.com now with a contest through Jan. 31! Go!

OMG the umbrella!

Susan Wagner — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:56:38 -0600

We lived in Tacoma, WA, for three years, and my husband was MORTIFIED the first time I suggested tossing an umbrella into my bag. But I wouldn't do a hood -- I wore a hat everywhere.

Your comment reminded me of that. So funny.

Friday Playdate