Nina Garcia's Ten Wardrobe basics

Last night I was reading a book a friend gave me for my birthday: "The Little Black Book of Style" by Nina Garcia (of project runway and Elle Magazine).  And I was struck by her list of ten wardrobe basics, the barebones of a good wardrobe.  I wasn't sure if I would agree with anything such a fashionable lady had written, but I was pleasantly surprised.  These barebones are essentials for classically dressed women everywhere.  Once you have these things, that is when you build, buying that adorable madras skirt, those interesting indian moccasins, that funky, chunky, pearl wrap necklace.  First, the essentials like a white button down and a trench must be found.  She spoke of a mans button down, which I have heard of before, but Ralph Lauren makes the same button down in women's sizes... I prefer the classic fit, which is looser, but still cut for a woman's body.

There is the trench, a wonderful jacket that can go with anything and everything.  I found mine at the Gap outlet, and had an acquaintance ask if it was Burberry!  I felt like I finally "got it" after that.  She also mentions cashmere cardigans and turtlenecks, how they can dress up anything and always work well.  A men's watch, which is the trend right now, and I have not felt like trying it, but perhaps this citizen watch could work.  My watch is actually a super tiny seiko, and I like not being the millionth person wearing a Michael Korz mans watch.  Denim she describes as being effortless, and a way to dress something down.  Ballet flats are essential when heels won't work.  Which to me is 99.9 % of the time, so we certainly don't agree there.  But I do agree that a pair of classic black heels is essential, after being gifted those pictured, I now see that spending a bit more on them makes them far more tolerable, also they look great with the Little Black dress, a staple of every young classic lady.  Diamonds I would probably replace with pearls, as I view diamonds a bit like Holly Golightly as they are for older women than I.  And finally a great bag that is NOT an it bag or even close, and I couldn't agree more there.

Glad to know she is giving women advice that I can agree with!  She goes on to describe buying with drama... and having MANY heels, and that is where I stopped reading, but I appreciated the refresher on the essentials and found it inspiring.

XX,

Brooke