What a girl wants…what a girl NEEDS…

A couple years ago I ordered a pair of leopard print pumps from Victoria’s Secret.com. Before they had a chance to make me limp home from the club, my dog chewed the toe off. Well obviously after my mini melt down I had to order another pair. They were there within 5 days. I was happy and the UPS man was fine. So anyway I actually got to wear this pair but only once. The beagle strikes again. This time the heel is the part of the shoe that met its fate. So after I threatened to make deep fried beagle, I went back to VS.com and ordered another pair.

Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Well this time I was exonerated and his definition proved untrue, the pumps are still here. Why did I tell you this story? Well because it leads me into the point of this blog. For you English heads this was a topic-associative approach. I need those leopard print pumps. They are a part of the must-have section of my wardrobe.

The must-have portion of your wardrobe consists of a collection of items that polish off and complete your outfit. Some refer to them as signature items. In addition to my pumps there are a few other items that I just can’t possibly go without. They are the things I pack first when I leave to go out of town. They stay at the front of my closet or my dresser. They are the things that I base my outfit around. Here is my list. Ten is a good number:

1. Leopard Pumps
2. Huge Silver hoops (studded or not)
3. One of my beloved purses, the one that gets the most play is the LV Damier Speedy but they are all equally loved. A purse alone can make or break you.
4. Fitted stretch button down with French cuffs (Black, white and red )
5. Dark denim boot cut low rise jeans
6. Black belted trench coat
7. Sterling silver and gold tone “family ring” from Silpada Designs
8. Silver studded Swarovski bracelets (Got them on the cruise ship!)
9. Good solid make up kit: Foundation, concealer, tools for smokey eyes, kiss me lashes mascara, fluid line eye liner, Chanel sheer lip gloss.
10. Knee high black leather boots

I can pack all of the things listed and go away for a weekend and be completely satisfied with my look. I don’t follow specific fashion guidelines or trends but I do pay attention and piece together what is right for me, throw my own seasoning on it and serve it up for all to see.

I could not have done this entry without consulting some of whom I consider a few of the best. I chose these ladies because they all have unique tastes that I think are hot. Here is what they have to say about the wardrobe “must haves”.

DenyseG. Wrote:
I'm pretty simple when it comes to clothing, I consider myself casual chic, my must haves are premium jeans "boot cut" fit, cotton t-shirts(scoop or v-neck) and flats, I have a weird obsession with flat shoes. With those I can dress up or keep it casual for any occasion simply by maybe changing shoes and adding accessories. I LOVE accessories! I have everything, Bamboo earrings (which BTW will NEVER will go out of style), scarves, long chains, chunky bracelets, headbands and the most important of them all, the handbag. I hate to see a woman pull a "Beyonce" and wear every accessory she owns all at once, walking around looking like crazy Aunt Gypsy from The Beverly Hillbillies. The mission is to look fly no matter what your style is, never gaudy or just plain ridiculous. My motto is KISS, Keep It Simply Sexy. Oh and being a hairstylist/makeup artist, I feel the need to say this because makeup for some is part of their daily routine, eye shadow all the way up to the eyebrow is ridiculous, please stop the insanity.


“Feisty” wrote:
Well I must have earrings, I don't care how jacked up my hair, I don't even care if I care I'm matching (well that's a lie) but I must have on earrings, a naked ear is almost as bad as a naked a$$. Jeans are also a must have, every woman needs the perfect jeans, and the perfect fit (it would hurt if mine came with some but pads) but hey you can't have everything. Last, but certainly not least is the ultimate handbag, now it doesn't have to be designer, but if it is then kudos to you, if it's fake, slit your wrist (and I mean that in the nicest Canal Street, Sally's Beauty shop way as possible). Nothing sets off an outfit like a trendy bag, I don't care how much of bamma you are, even if you have on a flowered shirt and some horizontal stripe pants, if your bag is super cute, no one will even notice your hot pink tracks and your outfit from hell..because everyone will wonder who the "hot mess" is with the banging bag. So my must have pieces are earrings, jeans and a handbag..... don't go trickin without them.

StarApple wrote:
Shoes are the exclamation point at the end of a fashion statement!! So that's where I'll start. I must have every type shoe in at least the basic colors.
I must have at least 3" heels. The basics are black, black patent, red and chocolate brown. Navy is ok but not a staple. White shoes are so demode unless
you are a debutante or a bride. I need chucks in my life at all times. Basic black, off-white canvas, purple and the funky hippie trippy ones of course low and high tops. Sandals with heels, a couple pair of cute flip flops. I like color so I have to have some purple and maybe some green thrown in just for GP. Let's not forget the metallics.
I need pumps and sandals in gold (matte and shiny), silver (matte and shiny), and bronze in my wardrobe. And don't throw away the LV miroir pochette and heels. They are
timeless.
Foundation undergarments are next. No need in spending thousands on a wardrobe and it looks like hott caca on. Basic slip, correctly fitted bra, panty girdle, spanx whatever makes the outfit hang correctly. Nothing wrong with a little support.
The little black dress is a must have. No matter the style you must have one that you can pull out and lace up with a strand of pearls or a diamond necklace or a brooch,
sheer hose and the appropriate shoes and bag.
Every lady must have at least 2 suits or suit coordinates. Nice skirts in each length (knee, above knee, mid calf, ankle), fabrics for each season, and the basic colors,
(gray, black, brown, navy and ivory). Black and Navy blazer. Crisp button downs (white and also have fun here with the colors). Don't forget houndstooth and pinstripes.
Subtle pinstripes. A collection of silk scarves and an array of belts just to mix things up a bit.
Trench coats are a must. Now that they are trendy again there isn't an excuse not to have one or two or three in different colors and fabrics. A wool coat, leather coat, leather jackets, and full
length fur coat are basic necessities. A car coat/pea coat wouldn't hurt. I always keep a couple of dainty cardigans in rotation.
I only need a couple pair of jeans in my life. Not concerned with the brand just the fit. I need them to be comfy. Dark denim, light denim and black is all I need. Don't wear them much anyway. But on the fly with the right shirt and a jacket and pumps/sandals you can be ready for whatever in a jiffy.
In the summer I live for short flirty skirts and tanks. I like my legs and like to show them off in the summer. I have to have no longer than mid thigh shorts as well. I'm a beach rat so there ya go.
I never leave the house without my cartouche, my oyster perpetual day date, a diamond ring that my mom gave me and diamond studs. NEVER!!! If I'm feeling extra
fly I'll put my white gold diamond hoops in the second holes in each ear and my thin gold bangles. Other accessories as needed depending on my mood and the occasion
and the outfit.
What would a wardrobe be without formal wear? Shop your style and not the fad of the season. Keep classic formal wear. You never know when you'll be asked to go to
see the Philharmonic or to an after 5 affair at the last moment. Always be prepared. Satin slippers, a clutch that makes a statement and you're ret ta go.
Ahh hats. Fedoras, church hats, baseball caps, knit caps, newsboy caps, etc. Get some in your life. Not every day is a good hair day. *wink* Also a hat/cap
can take an outfit to a totally different place. And sometimes that's a good thing. Same with sunglasses. Experiment. Have fun! I have a drawer full. These are things
that go in and out of fashion. So buy a few pair a year and then peruse the fashion bibles and recycle. That goes for bangles, earrings, baubles and beads.
Handbags, Purses, Pocketbooks... sigh... Hobos, satchels, buckets, totes... buckles, zippers, silver hardware, gold hardware... One of each please and thank you!
Buy in season and out. You can make or break an outfit with a handbag. They might not remember your not so great choice in the cut/color of your dress or what have you
if all they are focused on is that FABULOUS handbag that you are sporting. Don't worry that it may get more attention than you when they remember the bag they'll remember
whose arm it was gracing. It bags are a must just don't go overboard on an outrageous one unless you have a way to get a ROI to enable you to purchase the next It bag.
I can't bear to part with my handbags and shoes so unless it is so over the top that I simply can't wear it again in polite company then I'll gift it or sell it.

CS wrote:
The way I see it, fashion is really simple. People make it harder (or
wilder) than it is. Every woman should have a "go to" option for each
category of an outfit, to have a complete wardrobe. It can be a classic
piece, like a button down shirt, or some bamboo earrings for flavor
(okay, I really hope no one has bamboos as a CLASSIC piece lol). But you
get my point. What are my classic pieces you ask??? Like to hear it,
hear it goes.

These are the things that are a must in my closet:
A pair of designer shoes
A designer bag
A pair of gold hoops. Not too big, but not too small
A trench jacket/coat
A black fitted dress
Smolder eye liner from MAC

Notice, I only have one actual piece of clothing, while everything else
are accessories. I'm a firm believer that YOU make the clothes, but
creating a look is key. I shop at Forever 21 and H&M religiously, but I
find ways to bring out the best of it. Nothing does a better job than a
nice handbag and some heels that will make even an old man nod and smile
at you. While hoop earrings aren't for everyone, they fit my face
beautifully, and sometimes make my outfit a little more fun instead of
being so serious. A trench coat , if you have a good one, is a classic
piece that will never go out of style in my opinion. While the style has
been altered with the times (I.e. bubble sleeves are everywhere this
season), a trench is still a trench, bottom line. And of course, every
woman needs that "little black dress". Find that one that is perfect for
your shape and elegant enough to wear at most events. Finally, even
though eye liner isn't an article of clothing, this eye liner works
wonders for my eyes. It makes my eyes look smoky and sexy without a lot
of effort and extra makeup.

Well ladies there you have it! Good luck finding your must haves and happy shopping! You all know how i just love replies. Please reply and tell me what your must-haves are! Men you can do this too I'm sure *wink*

BagLady