STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

blubirde · Chanel

Basics/Always on the lookout Q

Kelly · Hermes

white and black camis. I can never have enough

jacks435 · Kenneth Cole

Hmm, good question. Since I'm stuck in a somewhat businessy office, I snatch up black, ivory, and grey pencil skirts whenever I can find them, as well as solid cardigans and V-neck sweaters (cashmere or silk cashmere) in black, grey, or jewel tones that I know won't go out of style anytime soon.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

button down shirts from banana when they go on sale. They are great to throw on in the mornings for work and if you dry clean them they keep their sheen nicely. I highly recommend them.

For everything else I'm clueless and just trying out different brands right now. I just got my first michael stars tee in the mail today so I'll keep you posted on it if I decide to keep it. I might post a pic tomorrow for yall to tell me if it looks ok on me.

Lilykind · Hermes

Here are the basics I always look out for. Currently I work in an extremely casual environment, but shift to business casual (which basically means no graphic tees, jeans and flips...easy enough to deal with) on occasion.

I try and find pieces I can wear in both environments.

I'm also starting to really know what colors I look best in. I will snap up almost any neutral, and I'm really a fan of reds and purples. The purples are really punchy against my skintone because I'm very golden (opposite on the color wheel). I also love to buy greens and sometimes pinks but pink can de-age me a lot so I have to be careful with that.

Wifebeaters: They're the ultimate layering piece...I can layer two of them together or layer them under things or over things. So far I'm still most fond of J. Crew (I hate Old Navy and haven't gone into the store in at least 6 months) and I love Splendid but Splendid can be $$$. This is also one of American Apparel's stronger points.

Tees (all sleeve lengths): Same as wifebeaters. I generally prefer boat necks for my shoulders since I've got a good strapless bra (Le Mystere) and v-necks. I'm always looking for the softest cotton. I'm a broken record, but I Splendid, LA Made, and J. Crew's normal tees (not tissue ones).

Wool, Silk or Cashmere Sweaters: I'm admittedly a snob and have really high standards for sweaters. Unless the sweater is super-cheap, I pretty much ban all man-made fibers from my sweater wardrobe. I hate itchy fabrics (who doesn't?) so I'm always looking for super-soft sweaters that are basic and will stand the test of time. I really love Park Vogel, Vince, and sometimes BR comes out with some great basic sweaters. I still have a BR one from 2003 that looks virtually brand new. I'll go vintage on this one too...the cashmere was a MILLION times better back then.

Jeans: they're seasonless and in LA, you really can never have too many pairs of great jeans. I only buy designer now that I can go to good sample sales and nab them for the price most people pay for AE jeans.

Good quality shoes: My feet are a pain in the ass to fit. If I find shoes that fit my feet like a gem, I'm probably going to buy them.

blubirde · Chanel

Lilykind wrote:

Here are the basics I always look out for. Currently I work in an extremely casual environment, but shift to business casual (which basically means no graphic tees, jeans and flips...easy enough to deal with) on occasion.

I try and find pieces I can wear in both environments.

I'm also starting to really know what colors I look best in. I will snap up almost any neutral, and I'm really a fan of reds and purples. The purples are really punchy against my skintone because I'm very golden (opposite on the color wheel). I also love to buy greens and sometimes pinks but pink can de-age me a lot so I have to be careful with that.

Wifebeaters: They're the ultimate layering piece...I can layer two of them together or layer them under things or over things. So far I'm still most fond of J. Crew (I hate Old Navy and haven't gone into the store in at least 6 months) and I love Splendid but Splendid can be $$$. This is also one of American Apparel's stronger points.

Tees (all sleeve lengths): Same as wifebeaters. I generally prefer boat necks for my shoulders since I've got a good strapless bra (Le Mystere) and v-necks. I'm always looking for the softest cotton. I'm a broken record, but I Splendid, LA Made, and J. Crew's normal tees (not tissue ones).

Wool, Silk or Cashmere Sweaters: I'm admittedly a snob and have really high standards for sweaters. Unless the sweater is super-cheap, I pretty much ban all man-made fibers from my sweater wardrobe. I hate itchy fabrics (who doesn't?) so I'm always looking for super-soft sweaters that are basic and will stand the test of time. I really love Park Vogel, Vince, and sometimes BR comes out with some great basic sweaters. I still have a BR one from 2003 that looks virtually brand new. I'll go vintage on this one too...the cashmere was a MILLION times better back then.

Jeans: they're seasonless and in LA, you really can never have too many pairs of great jeans. I only buy designer now that I can go to good sample sales and nab them for the price most people pay for AE jeans.

Good quality shoes: My feet are a pain in the ass to fit. If I find shoes that fit my feet like a gem, I'm probably going to buy them.

This is a great list to keep in mind. I'm always buying beaters, too. In Texas, it's essential to have a comfy layering piece that looks cool at the same time and isn't long sleeved.

I need to bulk up on layering shirts and sweaters are my true achilles heel. I'm very picky about sweaters, too but I usually just end up not buying them because I can't find any in a price I can afford and in a quality I want. I'm going to have to keep an eye out for them in the sales - I need to make this a priority.

Same with skirts. I'm always buying skirts that aren't the best quality. I need to stop buying 10 and focus on one or two that will last a lot longer. Shew! Shopping is work!

sephorablue · Marc Jacobs

blubirde wrote:

Same with skirts. I'm always buying skirts that aren't the best quality. I need to stop buying 10 and focus on one or two that will last a lot longer. Shew! Shopping is work!

Yeah, this is hard, but true. When I bought my black Theory pencil skirt, I was nervous about spending so much on one piece, but I seriously wear that skirt all. the. time., and it is super-flattering and classic and beautifully made, so there's no doubt I'm getting my money's worth!

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

lilykind's list is spot-on, totally accurate and comprehensive. i strongly agree w/ the vince, splendid and theory recommendations. i've gotten all three brands at super-low prices by scouring all the sales in december and june. especially neimans' last call and nanette lepore's semi-annual. good luck and you're right, shopping is work--but fun work :)

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I agree about the theory skirt. I picked one up from Marshalls last fall ~$30 and I love it. I would definetly buy another one.

jamund · Nine West

I agree..You can't have enough wifebeaters. They are totally necessary and great for layering, especially under the tees that are too thin you can see your bra. I actually saw a girl in public wearing a white tissue tee and you could totally see her back through it and her bra. It was odd. I wanted to give her a Saint Grace tank, which is my fave. They are thin and comfy.