Top 25 Wardrobe Essentials-F/W (6-10)

Good morning!  Last week I introduced the beginning of the Top 25 Wardrobe Essentials for every closet by providing links to pictures where I have styled these items and My Picks to offer advice and suggestions when shopping for your essentials.  Today, I’m continuing with my list and starting with number 6!  To refresh your memory, click on last week’s post, and also see the list of the FIRST FIVE below.  So let’s put down our coffee and get on with the next five…

1.)  Skinny Jeans
2.)  Diamond/Pearl Studs
3.)  Classic Pumps
4.)  Blazer
5.)  White Collared Button-Down

6.)  Pencil Skirt – Usually worn in a work suit or as a separate piece with a button-down to the office, pencil skirts are known for their tailored, narrow shape – long and thin like a pencil.  But pencil skirts have come a long way!  Originally very conservative in color and cloth and worn always with panty hose in the pencil-skirt era of the 1950s, pencil skirts are now being seen in all colors (the brighter the better), and in all types of fabric and even leather…my favorite is covered in sequins!  They are definitely my favorite when I’m grabbing for a professional, classy, yet feminine work outfit.  When wearing my white collared button down, a tailored pencil skirt and my classic pumps, I’m ready for anything.
Styled Here:  Cashmere, Hibernation, Button It Up, Bangles, Seeing Dots, Bensoni
My Favorite Brands:  WHBM, ANN TAYLOR LOFT, VICTORIA’S SECRET, NORDSTROM, ASOS, ZARA
To be Worn:  WORK, DAY and PLAY, but mainly designed for WORK and after work drinks!

7.)  Cardigan – Comfortable yet fitted and well-made…this is what I look for when shopping for a cardigan.  Not only do I want my cardigan to throw on the back of my chair in the office, but I want it to grab on the plane when traveling during the day or even used as a wrap with my cocktail dress and some jewelry at night.  Always look at the tag to see what the cardigan is made of and how to keep it clean.  If you intend to wear your cardi often, don’t get “dry clean only” and ensure if it’s black, it doesn’t look like the fabric will fade after a few washes. 
Styled Here:  Cardigan, Cashmere, Spots and Stripes
My Favorite Brands:  WHBM, EXPRESS, TOPSHOP, URBAN OUTFITTERS, J CREW
To be Worn:  WORK, DAY and PLAY

8.)  Ballet Flats – As stated in Number 5 of MY ONE HUNDRED, I would much rather wear heels to feel taller, but ballet flats are a necessity…especially after a long day of work.  Sometimes I even keep them on during work, ha!  Make sure when picking out a pair of ballet flats they have a good cushioned sole…if you are going to lose the height, definitely gain some comfort.
Styled Here:  Ballet Flat, Cuffed, Cynthia Rowley, Peek-a-Blue
My Favorite Brands:  TORY BURCH, BCBG, KATE SPADE, FRANCO SARTO, DR. SCHOLL’S
To be Worn:  WORK, DAY…of course you can wear flats for a PLAY style as well, but I prefer fun heels, boots or booties!

9.)  Scarves – Think out-of-the-box when styling scarves…I definitely do.  Not only can they be used to warm up your neck and fashionably dress up a winter coat, but you can wear a scarf like a man’s tie, around your hair like a headband and even as a belt.  Scarves are one of the most under-rated accessories and definitely one of my favorite pieces to dress up any outfit.
Styled Here:  Flash of Red, Fendi, Willow and Clay, Prada, 235, Three Piece,
My Favorite Brands:  For silk – VINTAGE scarves handed down from my grandma/family members are the best, so I would search at some vintage shops.  Also, MADEWELL, COACH and ALEXANDER MCQUEEN.  Some great brands for winter scarves include BURBERRY, GAP, RALPH LAUREN
To be Worn:  WORK, DAY and PLAY

10.)  Watch – Well, besides for the obvious reason of knowing what time of day it is, I absolutely love a good watch.  I’m especially drawn to the big, chunky men’s style watches and purchased my first Diesel watch in college.  When looking for a watch determine whether you like a leather band or a metal bracelet.  Where will you be wearing your watch?  Do you want to wear it during all occasions?  Dressy and decorated or simple and casual?  Watches are still a piece of jewelry, so have fun with them and use them to dress up your style.
Styled Here:  Click on any of my WORK, DAY, PLAY posts
My Favorite Brands:  MICHELE, MICHAEL KORS, MARC BY MARC JACOBS
To be Worn:  WORK, DAY and PLAY

For the essentials that I haven’t already styled in MY ONE HUNDRED, stay tuned to see these items styled in future posts to come!

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