Invest in timeless pieces, and you’ll never be at a loss for what to wear whenever the occasion calls for something special.
The Elements of Style
It’s a familiar scene: A harried woman stands in front of her closet, surveying the clothes, wailing to herself, “What do
I wear?” While such behavior may
seem a bit extreme when you’re getting dressed to run a few errands, the
absence of appropriate
attire is a legitimate lament when an
invitation to a black-tie wedding arrives or you get a call from a
headhunter. With
these wardrobe essentials on hand, though,
you’ll always know what to reach for.
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Black Pants
A sleek pair of black trousers with a
flattering fit not only transcends trends, it is a master of
multitasking. Without question,
black pants are one of the few wardrobe
staples that you can wear with just about anything else in your closet
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| Image: people.com |
French-Cuff Dress Shirt
Nothing elevates a pair of trousers, a
skirt, or a suit like a classic French-cuff dress shirt. The simple
upgrade of the
cuffs adds elegance to an otherwise
ordinary shirt and helps create a look that will feel as appropriate for
pitching a new
client as it does for hosting a casual
Sunday brunch.
Black Pumps
Sorry, Prince Charming, but if Cinderella
were around today, her footwear of choice would undoubtedly be a black
leather pump.
This perennial fashion favorite has
withstood the test of time because it is the go-to shoe for day or
night, jeans or trousers
or skirts, dressy occasions or more casual
events. Whether perfectly plain or adorned with a subtle pattern, a
pair of black
pumps adds polish to any outfit.
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| Image: mafasworld.wordpress.com |
Day Dress
Since pants are now an acceptable form of
dress for myriad daytime celebrations, the day dress doesn’t get as much
play as
it used to. But a sophisticated shift is
often the easiest and most appropriate choice for such semiformal
festivities as
luncheons, recitals, and afternoon bridal
showers. And when you (re)discover how little effort it takes to zip
into a dress,
you’ll find it a pleasure to give your
pants a well-deserved rest.
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| Image: Zara.com |
Black Suit
In the business world, a perfectly
tailored black suit is a fail-safe gold standard. But it has appeal
beyond the workplace:
When you show up anywhere dressed in a
well-fitted jacket and skirt, you look proper, polished, and modern.
That’s why it
is important to invest in the
best-constructed suit you can afford, even if it means spending more
than usual. Not only will
you rely on this fashion overachiever as
an ensemble but you can also really get your money’s worth by wearing
the skirt and
the jacket as separates.
Evening Dress
Whether it’s a ball gown or a little
cocktail number, a black dress is synonymous with chic, sophisticated
style. And one
that boasts beautiful yet simple design
elements, like a V neckline, a fitted waist, and a floaty skirt, will
come out of
the closet time and time again. The right
accessory, whether it’s a string of pearls or patent-leather flats, will
make the
dress appropriate for black tie or
something slightly less formal.
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| Image: fabsugar.com |
Dressy Jacket
Wearing a dressy jacket is an effortless
way to upgrade almost anything in your closet. The bouclé fabric and
open design
make it not only timeless but also
cross-generational, so get ready to share it with the other women in
your family. You can
swap it with your suit jacket for a
cocktail party, your twenty-something sister might pair it with jeans,
and your mother
can throw it over a skirt and a shell.
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| Image: Zara.com |
Evening Clutch
While a daytime bag feels a bit cumbersome
during evening festivities, you still need an option for nighttime
that’s big enough
to hold your essentials. This one has room
for your cell phone, cash, keys, and lipstick (yes, an essential). And
it features
a stowaway chain strap for those times
when you’d prefer to have your purse hanging from your wrist or
shoulder—making it
much easier to hang on to your cocktail.
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| Image: accessories.about.com |
Wrap
There’s nothing that complements an
evening dress as well as an understated, equally sophisticated wrap. And
while a silk-and-cashmere
shawl is no substitute for a parka, it
will keep you warm when your exposure to the elements is limited to
quick jaunts to
and from the car—and it will go just as
capably with more casual attire, like jeans.
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Metallic Strappy Sandals
Think of silver (or gold) as your
nighttime neutral—subtle enough to go with everything from black to red
to a plethora of
patterns. A slight platform adds comfort
to these 4¼-inch heels, so you can dance all night in them.
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