This past week, Gap launched their second Design Editions line, created by of the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund competition. This year, the collection consists of pieces from 3.1 Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders, threeASFOUR, and Michael Bastian.  

I have never been able to find a white button down shirt that fits me properly. And I have searched everywhere. I also do not have a mountain of money to be spending on the "perfect" white shirt either, or at least this is what my husband tells me! Here are my issues - I am 5'6", a little on the heavy side, but very curvacious. I have a large chest, defined waist, long legs, no torso and am rather hippy(but that goes with curvy so..). Basically there is about an inch between my ribs and my hip bones. In order to have the shirt not gap at the bust (never, ever have I had a button down that didn't gap -so I don't own to many, big pet peeve) it tends to be too big at the waist, even the fitted shirts. And vice-versa.

Now that your closet is clean (your closet IS clean, isn't it?), it's time to talk about basic wardrobing pieces. The basics are the building blocks of your wardrobe, essential pieces that you can mix and match with virtually everything else in your closet to create a look that will work every day. The basics are NOT a complete wardrobe by themselves, although you CAN wear them together; instead, think of them as a foundation that you can use to build a look that is distinctly yours. Let's start with the most basic of basics: the white shirt and blue jeans.