Top 25 Wardrobe Essentials-F/W (16-20)

Happy Tuesday!  Continuing on with my Top 25 Wardrobe Essentials for every closet, this week’s post details items 16 through 20.  To refresh your memory, click on last week’s post, and also see the list of the FIRST FIFTEEN below.

1.)  Skinny Jeans
2.)  Diamond/Pearl Studs
3.)  Classic Pumps
4.)  Blazer
5.)  White Collared Button-Down
6.)  Pencil Skirt
7.)  Cardigan
8.)  Ballet Flats
9.)  Scarves
10.)  Watch
11.)  Silk Blouse
12.)  Dress Pants
13.)  Clutch
14.)  Belts
15.)  Riding Boots

16.)  Leather Jacket – Leather jackets seem to have come and gone as the “in-trend” throughout the last couple of decades.  I remember wanting a leather jacket so badly in middle school/early high school and then it sat in the back of my closet for the past 10 years.  But now I’m bringing my old ones back out and adding some new ones to the collection!  To be honest, I’m not quite sure leather jackets ever did go out of fashion, nor will they…it’s just how you style them – that’s the key.  Just because you wear a leather jacket, doesn’t mean you have to be wearing leather pants and jumping on a motorcycle.  You can be wearing jeans, high heels and pearls and still pull off a fabulous leather jacket look.  It’s a classic item in your wardrobe.
Styled Here: Fendi, Biker’s Sole, CHANEL
My Favorite Brands: WILSON’S LEATHER, Vintage (search the flea-markets and novelty shops), ZARA, SHOPBOP, NET-A-PORTER, REVOLVE CLOTHING
To be Worn: DAY, PLAY and sometimes for WORK (depending on the office), but of course on the way to work is fabulous!

17.)  Tights – As mentioned in this post when naming Black Opaque Tights as number 8 of MY ONE HUNDRED, I mentioned how tights reminded me of being a little girl.  I never knew how my childish love affair would come back again as such a necessary fashion accessory.  Yes, they are a fashion accessory and you can style them up, just remember some important points: 1.) If first you are shy, start with black opaque ones…they are great to wear under skirts in the winter and even with shorts (plus they are a great vacation from pants in your winter wardrobe); 2.) Experiment with patterns (some of my favorite tights have flowers and criss-cross patterns); 3.)  Experiment with colors (try mustard-colored tights with a camel coat and neutral dress or red tights with a plaid skirt or purple dress); 4.) Remember to dress for the occasion and consider your company (if you are heading out to conservative, dressy function wearing black tights is probably better than bright red ones).  5.)  Have fun and check out some of my styles below.
Styled Here: Flash of Red (I should have worn my red tights for this one!), Prada, Ophelie, Angels, Ankle Bootie, Animal, Fendi
My Favorite Brands: HUE, NORDSTROM, MODCLOTH, FREE PEOPLE, AMAZON
To be Worn: WORK, DAY and PLAY

18.)  Black Turtleneck – Since living in Malaysian weather, I haven’t had the opportunity to bring out my black turtleneck as much as I would like, but it still sits in my closet ready to go at a moment’s notice.  I can dress it up, dress it down, wear it with jeans, a skirt or even shorts.  Invest in a good quality, black turtleneck that will withstand many washes and still hold a good, black color. 
Styled Here: Frye, Classic Pumps, Buckled Up (Black Turtleneck Dress)
My Favorite Brands: WHBM, BEBE, BANANA REPUBLIC
To be Worn: WORK, DAY and PLAY

19.)  Statement Jewelry – Wearing statement jewelry can make your style, it can even create your own personal style.  Whether you wear tons of bangles up and down your arms, a slew of cocktail rings, huge brooches, dangling earrings or a beautiful statement necklace, statement jewelry is a wardrobe essential and one that stands out and draws attention to your ensemble.  Going to work everyday and wearing conservative suits or a collared shirt with a pencil skirt, I regularly add a piece of statement jewelry to amp up my style…depending on my mood I will add a chunky pearl necklace (come back to see tomorrow’s post), tons of pearls draped down my blouse, maybe a turquoise beaded creation or lots of gold bangles and a couple fun rings.  Adding some jewelry makes me feel classy, feminine and also more excited about my everyday style.  Especially on the weekends where rules don’t apply, try adding some statement jewelry to your style, be it a DAY style with a t-shirt and shorts or PLAY style with a cocktail dress.  Have fun with your jewelry and remember, make a statement!
Styled Here: Cashmere (a brooch for WORK), Ralph Lauren (beads for DAY), Santa, Classic Pumps
My Favorite Brands: Made by my aunt, NORDSTROM, BEST OF EVERYTHING, CHARMING CHARLIE, ASOS, ENDLESS
To be Worn: WORK, DAY but mostly for PLAY

20.)  Floppy Felt Hat – For the bad hair days, good hair days, cold weather days and warm weather days, your floppy felt hat is such a versatile and fun wardrobe essential.  You can dress it up with jeans, boots and a long winter coat or wear it on the beach with your favorite bikini, crocheted dress and sandals.  I can’t wait to go back to cooler weather next winter and dress mine up with a beautiful, peacock pin, jeans and a wool coat.  But for now, I will enjoy my floppy felt hat as it shades me from the warm, tropical Malaysian sun.
Styled Here: I have styled a variety of different hats, like here and here; however, here’s my only floppy hat post YET and actually one of my VERY FIRST POSTS.
My Favorite Brands: URBAN OUTFITTERS, ASOS, SINGER22, FREE PEOPLE
To be Worn: DAY and PLAY, and if you are lucky enough to WORK 

Thanks so much for reading along.  Next week…21-25!