Top Ten: Female Fashion Basics
Fashion trends come and go. Still you need a couple of things in your closet to base your wardrobe on and to give new trends a neutral canvas. Things that every woman should have in her closet: why, what to look for and where to get them. Here are my personal tips:
1. the little black dress
I’d actually go for two of these: one rather suited for business and a rather glamourous one. Most important for any black dress: fitting (on YOUR body, not on a model or ad!), fabric quality and low washing temperatures (to prevent any possible colour bleeding). My personal favourites are by Vivienne Westwood and Little Black Dress.
(left to right: Little Black Dress Winter 2011, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Summer 2012 at Net-A-Porter, Vivienne Westwood Red Label at viviennewestwood.co.uk and Little Black Dress Winter 2012 at ModeSuisse)
2. the white blouse
Yes, a blouse – not your boyfriend’s shirt. For a timeless, female fitting some elastane can benefit the comfort and the silhouette. Be aware that white is always see-through! I always wear black underwear to try white clothing – this way I can see the worst case right away. Business trick: buy a blouse body to prevent your blouse from escaping your pants / skirt or else you might here your colleques call after you: ”Tuck your tail in, little duck.” (quote from The Hunger Games)
3. nude underwear
Sounds easy but works only if the shade of nude actually matches you when nude. And perfect fitting is a must! Panty lines or a pressed breast ruin your styling even more when your underwear is supposed to be invisible. If in doubt: try on a larger size or another brand. A size medium is never always a size medium – every brand, fabric, cut, country… defines it differently. So stop worrying about the size label! My personal underwear emperors: Triumph and Chantelle Paris.
(left to right: Chantelle Paris Haussmann dandy-look series, Triumph Body Make-Up series, Chantelle Paris C Chic Sexy series and Triumph Shape Sensation)
4. high heels
Every woman should have at least one pair. And even if Christian Louboutin says that it’s not his job to create something comfortable you should survive a certain period of time while wearing them. Remember how to buy high heels and choose a classic black pair and a flattering nude or light pair (stretches the leg optically) to begin with.
5. the cocktail dress
For me that’s a red one. But the colour should always be right for you personally. See what colour you feel good it, which flatters your complexion and goes well with your hair. Then attend to the following: In the late 1940′s Christian Dior was the very first to name an early evening frock “cocktail dress” so the rules include a certain skirt length. Modest necklines accompanied by a fabulous cocktail hat long ruled the cocktail hour. Today, a cocktail dress is a modern evening look in a certain sophisticated quality. So don’t be too sexy, too short skirted or too cheap – it’s still cocktail hour, not a multi-floor disco…
6. the going out handbag
Of course, it should be beautiful but for a long-term companionship it must be just as functional. Think about it. Are you a dancer? Then you should be able to dance without your bag handicapping your moves. How much stuff do you need? It should all fit into your bag, too. My current nightlife fellow is a black leather clutch by Marc Jacobs with a wristlet strap to survive my dance moves…
7. the durable suitcase
Some advertise their bags are “built to resist”. Well, I have destroyed a whole lot of suitcases and bags while traveling – only one survived: my Rimowa Salsa suitcase. Seemingly indestructible and superlight. No matter how much I stuff into it – it’s rarely more than 20 kilos (just perfect for air travel). I always wanted a suitcase to protect my belongings and to let me sit on it without a bad conscience – by now I couldn’t go without it anymore.
8. jeans
Actually denim is a whole chapter of its own… No, it’s a book! TO make a long store short, please note the following: A basic should not be over-washed so choose dark denim without any bleaching effects or other trendy workmanships. Jeans without elastane promote varicose veins, especially when you have an office job, so check the care label for 2% Lycra or elastane. Choose a cut that flatters your figure but is not too extreme, e.g. super flared jeans or not necessarily timeless so go for a decent boot-cut instead and jeggings won’t accompany you for ages so opt for a skinny or a straight legged pair instead. A good way to find a proper fit for your body: the Curve ID project by Levi’s.
9. the pencil skirt
Showing some leg in the office? No problem with a decent pencil skirt. Sophisticated and still very female. Choose a model with elastane or you won’t be able to move or even breath properly. Beginners start with a black one that ends either right above the knee or on the calfs – that depends on your figure.
10. the scarf
I wouldn’t travel anywhere without my black cashmere pashmina. To me that is the ultimate multi-functional piece of apparel: scarf in the winter, stole at the black tie event, blanket in the plane, home feeling in the hotel… What is your take-along?
Recommended
-
Space Style Concept / BolognaMai 19th, 2013
-
Javier Reyes / BerneMai 15th, 2013
-
Jo Brauer Pop Up Store / ZurichMai 14th, 2013
-
Top Ten: How to buy a men’s suit.Mai 11th, 2013
-
Kreislauf 4+5 (2013) / ZurichMai 8th, 2013
Top Ten: How to buy a men’s suit. | diasofdiaz Mai 11, 2013 at 5:46 pm
[...] ladies have had theirs already: Top Ten: Female Fashion Basics and even Top Ten: How to buy high heels. And now… It’s YOUR turn, gentlemen! Upon many [...]