Style Basics
We live in a fashion focused society and at times it can be difficult to stay on the cutting edge. It doesn’t matter what style we are trying to go for, what matters is it is done right. Buying expensive trendy products is a great way to waste a lot of money. So how do we know what high end products will withstand the test of time?
Start with the Basics
There are somethings that never really go out of style and to build a modern and fashion forward wardrobe it is important to start with the basics. These core items should be things that can be dressed up or dressed down, based on the occasion, and can be made to look different based on how we accessories them. The first item that both men and women should always have is a pair of black pants. Black pants are a wardrobe staple and it is important to have the right pair. This pair of pants should be tailored and of high quality. It should be something you can wear to a formal event and to a casual dinner. The second must have apparel item is a white shirt. This can be a blouse style for women and should be a button down shirt for men. Once again, this item should be of high quality and custom tailored. It is hard to go wrong with a classic black and white look and the neutral base allows us the luxury of accessorizing.
Next Level
Once we have a stylish neutral base established we need to be prepared for all seasons. Basic pants and shirts can be worn year round but based on the climate we will likely need a quality coat to go with it. Once again it is important to stick with a neutral color and style. Blacks and greys are usually a safe bet but if our individual style wants to bleed through we can add some color. For most men a sport coat would be the ideal choice. It is a little more complex for women on this front. Just remember when shopping that the coat should be practical and versatile. Buying a luxurious fur coat or trendy designer coat with lots of pockets and zippers might be fashionable now but will it still be the rage in 10 years. Pick something that is relatively basic that allows your accessories to shine. Scarves, jewelry, gloves, hats and countless other small clothing accessory pieces should be able to be added or subtracted from this piece to create unique looks. If the coat cannot be accessorized it should be a specialty item and not a core piece of our basic wardrobe.
Shoes & Belts
We are now starting into a category where we should have multiple items. We should, like most things, start with the basic black, white, brown, and greys when talking about shoes and belts. These basic color rarely go out of style and are a must have. However, these items allow our individual style to start to show through. Belts with buckles and colors can really make an outfit pop. The same can be said about shoes as well. We all need a pair of everyday black work shoes but aside from that we can express ourselves. Shoes have many different styles, colors, and looks and it is okay to upgrade our collection from time to time. This is even more important if we are on our feet often, shoes wear out and it is important to replace and upgrade them for function. The need for new shoes every so often allows us to keep our feet fashion forward. Belts are also a unique item that can be customized. Having a basic belt is a must but belt buckles are a great way to jazz up an outfit. There are many different, sizes, colors, and styles of belts and starting a collection early can help diversify outfit choices. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about shoes or belts, what matters is we purchase items that let our personal style start to emerge and that we keep these items for a while. Our collections should slowly grow over time. This allows us to remain fashion forward and slowly make a collection we would be proud to wear.
Accessories
It is true that belts and shoes are basic fashion accessories, but this section talks more about specific smaller items. These items can be simple scarves, watches, earrings, bracelets, socks, or countless other small pieces. The key to remaining fashion relevant with these pieces is to purchase items that can be mixed and matched well to create unique looks. We would all like to have 20 high end watches and pairs of earrings but most of us cannot afford this. So we must purchase ones that can go with many outfits and other accessories. Items like socks and scarves are generally less expensive and these items can complement a high jewelry item to create a different look. So when shopping for a high end item think about different ways to coordinate these items with other pieces. A flashy color watch will be more difficult to match than a neutral one. Furthermore, we can never go wrong with basic diamond earrings. So, like before, remember to start with the high end basics and diversify. We can wear the same jewelry to multiple events and our peers might never notice if we change the socks, scarves, shirts, and other accessories. So when thinking about a new high end piece remember to pick something you can wear with multiple looks.
We all want to look modern and stylish. This can be accomplished on a budget if we shop the right way. Look for sales and look for expensive items that can be worn with many different looks and accessories. By doing this we can stay fashion forward no a budget and have a style that everyone will remember.