The staples

What should be in every closet of women who aspire to dress fairly decent oh, at least once a week? I buy cute stuff. . .and then I walk into my closet and feel like I don't have anything to wear. What am I doing wrong here?

ex. I bought THE cutest pair of silk/cotton khakis from j.crew - very "I'm going to just stroll along the ocean" - and now I don't know what to wear with them.

and this happens a LOT. So I end up in my old, old, old yoga pants and some crummy tshirt. Then my oldest daughter tells me that I dress plain like a prince.

[Michele]

Everyone needs a good pair of black pants. You can pair them with almost anything...and easily dress them up, or business them up. I have about 20!

I think a comfortable, but stylish pair of heels would be great to have too. A pair that you could easily pair with jeans to dress them up, but that could also work with other pants. I'm still looking for this one!

I also think a closet should have one go-to dress. Maybe a knee-length-ish, simple lines, solid color (that looks great on you)....that could be dressed up or down...for dinner, Sunday brunch, etc. Also still looking for this one.



For your khakis, can you pair them with a blue sweater or tank top?

[Vishenka69]

I did an article on this top a few issues ago. I can repost it here, if there's still interest or you can you look it up in the MDFamily archives.

I wouldn't put khakis in the staple category, but I'm a snobbish NY'er. :>
I think the staples should reflect your age, lifestyle and location. A SAHM in MN will need different staples than an executive in FL. Tell me more and I'll be happy to do a personalized staples list.

Tell me more and I'll be happy to do a personalized staples list.

I think I would love you forever if you did this! I am a SAHM to 2 girls. Right now, we are in the deep South but this is changing in 5 months and we will then be in the SF/Sacramento area. Sure, we stay at home 85% of the time but I still want to feel good about myself, you know? My personality - free-spirited and artistic while still somewhat conservative. Oh, and I HATE shirts that are not long enough to cover my post-baby muffin.

[Vishenka69]

Since you'll be moving to SF/Sacramento area, I think it's a perfect timing for updating your current wardrobe.

What are you most comfortable wearing? Your favorite outfit? Your body type? Did you ever want to try a style or color but wasn't sure how to work it into your existing wardrobe?

I think you should have several pairs of well fitting jeans, a few pairs of casual pants, at least one pair of dress pants. If you're comfortable wearing skirts, then same should go for them too (several casual, at least one dressy). When buying new clothes, make sure they flatter your body type and fit you well. If you like khaki pants, get them in colors - black, brown, white. They will look more like pants and less like soccermom khakis. Avoid wearing white sneakers outside of the gym. Nothing screams SAHM living in the suburs like white sneakers.

Ok, so here are the staples:
jeans - at least 2 pairs in different washes
casual pants - at least 3 pairs in different colors
dress pants - at least 1 black pair
casual skirts - at least 2 in different styles/colors
dress/dress skirt - at least 1 black
5 tank tops, 5 t-shirts, 5 cotton sweaters in mix-n-match colors complementing the bottoms
dress shoes - at least 1 black pair of strappy heels
casual shoes - 2 flats, 2 small heels

[DCJenn]

Don't forget in SF you will need a variety of outerwear, too. It can get chilly and damp very quickly.

Jenn

[houseelf]

A pair of dress shoes and cute casual shoes that don't hurt your feet.

Kelly

[DCJenn]

I can tell you that in San Antonio, the staples are very much different than in DC.

It will be mid-80s by April and culminate in 100s+ by August and September.

The key here is to layer because you're constantly going from boiling to freezing. Every person in my office has a sweater or a jacket hanging from the back of their chair.

Hats are critical for doing anything outside for more than five minutes.

Shorts and skirts are obviously more comfortable during the summer months. Most people wear pants in the winter and for work wear skirts and for play wear shorts in the summer.

For tops, although you don't want to be too hot, you definitely want to keep the vulnerable parts covered - shoulders, chest, etc. Besides, there's nothing worse than freezing inside with a chilly upper body. I often wear layers of t-shirts with a sweater on top during the summer months inside.

Open toed shoes are the obvious choice for most people.

Of course, this is a primarily hispanic culture so we have lots of vivid colors, Mexican-styled shirts, embroidery, etc.

and once again, we're the second fattest city in the nation, so no one wears clothes that fit...

Jenn

[Vishenka69]

Good points on different climates. If you're on Sacramento side of SF, it doesn't get too damp/chilly there, but it is hotter in the summer. I'd also invest in a trench and a light peacoat.

Will you be doing a lot of walking, or mostly driving?

Vishenka, now that I am staying in Portland, I would like to invest in a trenchcoat or some sort of rain protection that is dressier than my Marmot jacket. I have a calf length charcoal grey wool coat but that is a little too warm and bulky. Any suggestions?

[Vishenka69]

Does your hubby's new job allow for a Burberry? To me they are the ultimate trenches. Lots of department stores are having coat sales right now and very often that can include raincoats. The prices are better than the selection right now but if you can wait, the new stuff will be on sale around August.

Style-wise, I'd go for a belted number that hits around the knee and has interesting buttons and side pockets and a slit at the back. It's a classy look that can be easily updated with a hot color or interesting material (I have a white one with metalic sheen). Make sure it has a good lining and is water-resistant.

Wow! No wonder I feel like I have nothing to wear. I only have 2 pairs of jeans and 1 pair of khaki pants that fit well. Time to go shopping!

If you don't mind, post photos of pants and tees. . .

What sort of pants? I'm very petite. Maybe 5'2" on a good day and very slender. My problem tends to be that saleswomen say "thanks, sweetie" which I don't entirely mind but I don't want to look like I'm still reliving college.

Thanks, Vishenka. No Burberry right now but maybe the August sales next year. I'll keep an eye out. eta: I went window shopping and found one that someday will be mine. Thanks for the suggestions.

You know that raincoats will be on sale in August? You are amazing.

[Vishenka69]

Nellie, it really depends if the store considers them winter or summer merchandise. If winter, they're on sale right now, if summer - August. Many department stores also have good deals for long weekends. Sign up online with your favorite one and you'll be the first to know.

I'm going to look for it at a Nordstrom half yearly sale. Thanks for the suggestions.