What's on YOUR top ten list? Time to tell the Internet
We've been talking about Oprah's Top Ten Basics list, and while most of you took issue with the white denim jacket, Mara got to what I think is the heart of the issue:
I think Mara is on to something here: what is basic when you're in your 20s may NOT be basic when you're in your 40s or 60s. In the same way, regional differences, which have just as much to do with culture as with weather, will affect what your basics are. To say that there is ONE list of basics that we ALL should shop from is both impractical and limiting. The idea of a series of cornerstone pieces, after all, is to help you streamline your look, not to encourage everyone to dress alike.
So tell me this: what is on YOUR basics list? What ten pieces do you either already own and wear all the time, or find yourself wishing for on a regular basis? Think about variables like your age and location and what you do all day. Look in your closet and your laundry basket and your favorite catalogs. Write up your list, post it at your site, and either leave the link here in the comments or e-mail it to me (fridaystyle.susan@gmail.com). On Saturday, I will round up all the lists at BlogHer and see what the REAL basics are. And I'll post my list here, too.
Keep in mind that the basics are building blocks; they are the foundations of your wardrobe. They are the pieces that work with everything else in your closet, the pieces that are appropriate for almost every place you go. They are the clothes that you wear and wear and wear. They are what gives you a specific, individual look.
Let's hear it. Ten basics from your closet. Ready, go.
I think a lot of these lists don't work that well, because they're too general. You make a good point with the turtleneck-- not everyone looks good in them-- but what about the color? I look bad in black, and the closer the black is to my face, the worse it looks. (I have olive skin and black makes it look sallow and sort of highlights the circles under my eyes. It's hard to explain.) I can wear a black V-neck but never a black turtle, see?
I would feel silly in a white denim jacket, but maybe that's just me.
How about a Must-have Basics List for mid-20-somethings, that includes a great pair of corduroys (in wine, olive, khaki...), a hoodie sweatshirt (not oversized, not shrunken, but fitted), an adorable sundress...
I think Mara is on to something here: what is basic when you're in your 20s may NOT be basic when you're in your 40s or 60s. In the same way, regional differences, which have just as much to do with culture as with weather, will affect what your basics are. To say that there is ONE list of basics that we ALL should shop from is both impractical and limiting. The idea of a series of cornerstone pieces, after all, is to help you streamline your look, not to encourage everyone to dress alike.
So tell me this: what is on YOUR basics list? What ten pieces do you either already own and wear all the time, or find yourself wishing for on a regular basis? Think about variables like your age and location and what you do all day. Look in your closet and your laundry basket and your favorite catalogs. Write up your list, post it at your site, and either leave the link here in the comments or e-mail it to me (fridaystyle.susan@gmail.com). On Saturday, I will round up all the lists at BlogHer and see what the REAL basics are. And I'll post my list here, too.
Keep in mind that the basics are building blocks; they are the foundations of your wardrobe. They are the pieces that work with everything else in your closet, the pieces that are appropriate for almost every place you go. They are the clothes that you wear and wear and wear. They are what gives you a specific, individual look.
Let's hear it. Ten basics from your closet. Ready, go.
19 Comments:
Lawd...I don't know. That's why I read fashion blogs. I need help in this arena. I would love to find someone who could come to my house, help me weed through my clothes and then make me a list of the things I need to run out and get to round out my wardrobe. You available? Connecticut is lovely...er...pretty...er...OK this time of year!
Mine is up! Of course, I had to do it by going through the Oprah list and disagreeing with half of it, but my list did wind up covering the majority of what I wear. What I wear out of the house, that is. No one needs to know about my Saturday house-cleaning outfit of sweatshirt and leopard-print pajama pants.
My entry is here:
http://befabulous.typepad.com/be_fabulous/2008/03/my-fashion-top.html
and within the next day or two I'm going to post a top ten list for accessories. I simply can't think about fashion must-haves without thinking about shoes!
Lists and clothes - two of my favorite things! (cracks knuckles)
1. comfy jeans that make me look thin (it took me five years to find this mythical garment and I'm not relinquishing it until it falls from my body in shreds)
2. cotton skirts from American Apparel (they're A-line, cheap, machine washable and good for work and weekends)
3. high boots (keep me warm when I'm wearing the skirts)
4. white shirts (it makes getting dressed really easy) (if matching is difficult for you) (and it might be, if your brother once told you your color combinations made you look like a blind 3-year-old who's possibly a bit slow in the cranial development)
5. Apparently I don't have 10.
Mine's up. That was fun! I was afraid it would be just jeans and a tee, but I do have other basics, and I do wear them on a regular basis. Thanks, Susan!
Sorry, I don't know how to add a link in comments. Choose hairlinefracture as the blog from my profile.
Mine is up: http://vorilee.typepad.com/vorilee/2008/03/ten-things-i-mu.html
Mine is up now too: http://acharmedlife.typepad.com/a_charmed_life/2008/03/baby-got-back-t.html
1. Nice wool cardigan
2. White long sleeve tee
3. Black dress slacks
4. Khaki dress slacks
5. Dark rinse trouser jeans
6. Button down shirt
7. Black turtleneck
8. Nice fitted polo shirt
9. Black blazer
10. White shell
Kinda boring, but what works for me.
I just dropped a ton of weight, so my ten items are actually all I have that fits right now. :) But I'm living proof that it's all you need for a good basic wardrobe.
1. Two good three season suits for work.
2. Black pants.
3. Nice black four season sweater. Ann Taylor has a lot of these.
4. Brown suede skirt.
5. Good mid-rise dark wash jeans. Mine are hemmed to work with mid-heels.
6 Tee shirts from Target in a bunch of colors - brown (for the suede skirt), white, pink, red. These are cheap basic pieces that are the basic layer.
7. Fitted cardigan. Black, cream.
8. A great cashmere sweater. Mine is in a deep burgundy (works with everything) with a deep vee. I layer it over a tee for daytime, without for going out in.
9. The LBD. Nuff said.
10. Black skirt, hemmed a couple of inches above the knee.
Everything works together and can be dressed up or down. It's heavy on the darker colors, but hey, it's winter.
Mine's up too! http://everydayreading.blogspot.com/2008/03/skip-silver-cuff.html
Have you ever read WWW.missussmartypants.com ? She talks about having your basic wardrobe set up, purging your closet etc. Great website but you have to subscribe to get it tailored to your body type.
http://vorilee.typepad.com/vorilee/2008/03/things-i-must-h.html
here is part two of my three-part series. Part three will explain all about me :)
I heart me a list :)
http://barelyenough.org/notablog/2008/03/04/my-ten-wardrobe-basics/
I usually just lurk around here, but this was an assignment I couldn't resist. I commented on the original Oprah list and came up with my own right here.
I like this idea. My list is very basic but I wear the heck out of the items I list and replace them every year or so.
My list is at www.pedaling.blogspot.com
My list is up:
http://stephaniekscott.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-top-10-basics.html
Delurking to say, great idea. I've been really thinking about what I have and what I need in my wardrobe. This helped a lot.
Here's my list:
http://thesuniverse.blogspot.com/2008/03/its-list.html
I posted my list on the 'follow up' post, but it seems everyone else is putting them here!
I also made a separate list for shoes.
my list is now up too - in parts, but its up. It really made me think...and realize that Ive finally done a good job of streamlining my wardrobe into what I have now.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home