throw this timm gunn nonsense away for real. i've compiled a new version of MY top wardrobe essentials. (i do, however, believe the more clothes you have the better -- it just sucks lugging those boxes of clothes around when moving!!)
in black are tim gunn's top 10, in purple are mine.
- Basic Black Dress - The basic black dress has been around for a long time. It is often called the "Little Black Dress", and it's true that shorter skirts on the basic black dress, when they hit you in the right place, can be more flattering than a long black dress.
Sequin Bandage Dress - or a skirt or something all sequin (but no bag dresses, PLEASE). sequins magically glam up any outfit whether it's to go dancing, to go to a nice restaurant or just when you feel especially skinny and want to show it off - Trench Coat - The trench coat is one of the pieces that is both classic and currently a hot fashion item. Most any store sells this piece now. It is great for fall and you can pick it up in a wide range of lengths.
Well-worn (Faux?) Leather Jacket - vintage is always better (in any case) and i suggest scavenge whatever thrift store you can for a good one. it'll probably be the best purchase of your life. it's edgy and depending on the style, tough as shit! - Dress Pants - Although it doesn't say black, this is probably what you want to look for. Black is flattering on all figures and goes with everything.
Black Tights - and have several pairs of them (fishnet, patterned, opaque, etc) in your drawer because they are sexy, slimming and covers up when you don't have enough time to shave - Classic Shirt - The white shirt is a definite classic. But it can also come in many different styles to make it look trendy and not dated or like a man's piece of clothing. Find one that accentuates your best attributes and minimizes trouble spots. For example, if you have wide shoulders, stay away from large collars.
leotard - an essential to layering (and no bra needed!!) and super comfy -- yes, even the thong leotards! you should probably have a variety of these in sheer, vintage, patterned, etc. but first start with a basic color to allow more opportunities to pair up with other clothes. - Jeans - Everyone has a pair of jeans, but does everyone have a pair of jeans that make them look great? The wider leg, low-rise jean style has been popular (and still is) but a narrower leg is coming back along with a higher waist, which eliminates the unflattering "muffin top" look.
worn down jeans with holes - this has to be a sincere pair of worn down jeans. these can't be store bought with washes and rips to look genuine, they must be loved and destroyed by YOU. i can tell when there's an impostor. tight clean jeans - i'm not the type to really wear anything with a clean cut or look. but with jeans (this was a toss up) i prefer to go to both extremes. very grungy to very nice looking. they must be tight and your butt must look awesome. white jeans preferred. - Any Occasion Top - Find something you look great in that can look respectable under a jacket but bring on the fun after hours.
anything leopard print - this does not have to look respectable under or over anything. it's essential to any wardrobe to have some sort of animal print. i say leopard just because zebra feels too worn out (maybe too anti-stylish) and snake has potential to go wrong (though i have both of these prints in my closet... just depends how you use it!). leopard print is sexy at all times. - Skirt - If you need dress pants then you also need a skirt. A skirt is womanly and can be flirty or businesslike. Nowadays women do not wear many skirts or dresses, which makes a lot of them fall into a rut of dressing sloppily or like men. See number 8.
first off, can i comment on this?? if you don't wear a skirt or dress you are sloppy? or you LOOK LIKE A MAN? what? just for that...
men's shirt or button up - no, i'm not a fan of the shirt dress, but i think a shirt, when belted, that looks like a dress is HOT. seriously though, you can tie a button-up at your waist for a sexy madonna 1984 (or cowgirl) look or knot a shirt up to show a little bit of midriff. i'm totally all about re-usable, multifunctional shirts. and men's shirts definitely can do that. i personally just go through my dad's closet when i visit. there's always something grimy or leftover from the 70's in there. always play baggy with tight. and i promise you won't look like a man. and even if you do have that hot androgynous look, why NOT? - Day Dress - Women also are not wearing as many dresses anymore. It was certainly liberating to go from the '50s when women wore dresses every day to wearing more practical pants for gardening, exercising, and so forth. But the dress does not have to be abandoned altogether. They can be very flattering, and there is nothing wrong with "dressing up" for daytime.
short, cute summer (?) dress - it needs to be cute (maybe girly... maybe not) and most of all, easy to wear, wash and layer. if you find a dress that's cute on it's own (i prefer tight in the bust and looser at the bottom) and not too short to bike in but short enough to wear with tights and boots -- BUY IT. i promise it will fit into all your outfits that no one will notice that you've been wearing the same dress for the past week. - Jacket - A jacket does not have to be masculine. Find one with a proper, fitted shape. Women's jackets should follow the silhouette of a woman's body and accent the hourglass curve at her waist. It is also a perfect piece to put with the skirt or dress pants, and white shirt. Or make it casual with a pair of jeans.
leather jacket - vintage is best, of course. don't be afraid of the shoulder pads. biker jackets with studs are HOT. karen o's leather jacket is hottest:
- Sweatsuit Alternative - As mentioned before, women wear fewer skirts and dresses these days. But some women have taken casual to the extreme and spend days on end in sweatsuits. It is possible to be casual and comfortable without looking like a slob. Find a comfortable material (that's why this doesn't say jeans again – denim is not as comfortable as a nice soft cotton) that you would want to wear every day. It could be khakis, cords, a cotton dress, or much more.
spandex (or leggings) - yes, they are comfortable. but don't take advantage of leggings. wear them around the house, but before you go out, but on something besides a sweatshirt, for the love of god. the good thing about spandex is that it's usually easy to maintain (in terms of washing, drying) and it's versatile enough to be dressy and to go to sleep in.
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