STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

For me, basics are what allow my "standout" pieces to really shine. Unfortunately, lately I seem to have more "standout" pieces and hardly any basics to pair with them. So I'm working on changing that. I think it's partly because I am more willing to pay for details like embroidery, etc. that really make an item, but not willing to spend as much for basics. But those basics can be worn constantly, because they allow the detailed items to really shine. So I'm adjusting my thinking on basics and slowly filling those gaps in my wardrobe.

For me, basics are:

- skirts (to the knee or just below) in a range of solid colors that I can put with many things. Black, chocolate brown, white, etc. These are a-line or slightly fitted with a little flare or ruffle at the bottom. I can dress them up or down and they work for a variety of situations. I have several printed skirts in this type of cut, that I can put with beater tanks or cute tees (in summer) or sweaters (in winter) and then just add fun accessories.

- tanks and tees. If I like a (plain) top, I will buy several in colors that suit me and my wardrobe. Finding something that fits well on top can be tricky (I have really broad shoulders and am a C cup) so if I don't have to pay to have things taken in at the waist, it's a bonus and I'll grab several colors. These work well as mentioned above with my print skirts, and then also work as under-layers for sweaters and stuff in the cooler months.

- dresses. I don't have a ton - I kind of got away from wearing them once I left the corporate world - but there are so many fun ones available now, and I'm buying more lately. I look at whether the dress can be worn over jeans, or with tights when the weather turns cold, so that it is more transseasonal. If it's not that versatile, then I try to buy dresses that already work with shoes / bags in my existing wardrobe, so I'm not having to then go shop for more items.

- sweaters. I like a v-neck pullover type, and have a bunch of these in different colors. I can layer a tank / cami under them or just wear them with almost any bottom and add fun jewelry and sexy shoes. I can throw a skinny belt over them with skirts. Most are light enough to be worn under blazers, which are another staple of mine. Also cardigans are good layering pieces.

- denim. I *love* jeans. And when I'm lazy or uninspired, it's so easy to just put on a cute top and jeans. Or one of those v-neck sweaters and then some funky jewelry and shoes. I also have three denim skirts (pencil, a-line, and a shorter, almost-mini) and love them, because I can be a little dressier / girlier and still almost just throw on almost anything with them when I feel lazy.

Basic colors for my wardrobe are brown, green (in almost any shade), red, teal, pink. And black, though I got away from black for a long time and am now just starting to add it back into my wardrobe. I also add touches of plum/purple and pale blue, orange and charcoal gray, but my "go-to" colors are as listed above. My basic shoe colors are black, brown, silver, olive green, and red. I don't have a lot of basic shoes though, because I so love fancier styles. So that's something else on my own shopping list.

Hope that helps some!

Almost all of my basics are from Express, Banana Republic and Gap. I have a lot of office basics from Express (pencil skirts, button-down shirts, jackets, etc.) I have a ton of plain pieces from Banana Republic - mostly cardigans, sweaters, and button-down shirts. From gap I have a lot of jackets, skirts, and t-shirts.

You need to get one pair of dark wash jeans - probably best to start with Sevens. Find a pair you like and buy two of them - hem one for flats and keep the other for heels.

I also tend to be drawn to patterns...but I've found that the skirts/tops/jackets I keep the longest and wear the most are the plain colored ones.