Everyone wants to look good— at least everyone who reads this blog. No matter how you describe your personal taste, most of us would ideally choose to dress well for our style preferences. While I personally relate to neither the sporty chick nor the sorority girl, I don’t think that really matters when it comes to giving fashion advice. Someone’s clothing says a lot about them. What would you want people to know about you at first glance? You’d probably want to accurately represent your personality, while simultaneously looking put together.
Although its pretty easy to decide whether or not you like a particular trend or style, it isn’t always as simple incorporating it into your wardrobe. In order to achieve your desired look, you must first perfect the basics. SO before you go buying that colorful print-y silk-y $60 wear-once-in-an-instagram top, lets have a little chat.
PS– I’m only going to feature pieces under $50 for this post.
Pants:
Pants suck because everyone would rather be naked, but they rock because you can wear the same pair for a week and very few people will notice. The “it” jeans this season are flares and distressed boyfriend jeans. Typically flares are better worn with heels. If you’re uncertain about reppin’ the wide-leg, start with something more comfortable– the BF.
Even though light-wash is great for the summer, it also stains really easily. If you’re the type to spill salad dressing on everything and regularly accidentally use your pants as napkins *guilty* you should really consider sticking with a pair that is mid-dark wash. They are also more wearable in the fall, and seeing as you don’t like to shop often— the longer lasting the merrier.
The boyfriend jean:
Ahh the boyfriend jean– probably one of the most successful relationships I’ve partaken in. Although back in ’10 when they first popped up on the scene I was a critic; I’ve grown to love them as designers have adapted the styles to more than just the model body type. If you’re going to invest in one pair of denim this spring/summer, make them boyfriend jeans.
During the day, you can wear boyfriend jeans look best with Converse (or Superga) or sandals and a plain tank/t-shirt. At night, wear them with heels and a chiffon or silk tank. If the denim has a noticeable wash (lighter in the middle and progressively darker), make sure you aren’t wearing a statement top— the pants ARE the statement (even if they look like they are just denim.)
Printed joggers:
Last summer Brandy Melville mass produced printed cotton flares, and even though each and every pair ripped— probably since I’m at the far end of “one size fits all”— we bought them and loved them. However, if you’re not the type to wear heels out and you don’t feel comfortable quite yet with the wide-legged thing, try printed joggers instead. These rock because no matter how tall or short you are, they will look good.
If you’re the type who wishes that it was socially acceptable to wear sweatpants to da club, buy printed joggers. Same thing. You can wear these with a cropped top, or a tight tank top tucked in. In the fall you can add booties and a leather jacket. Choose colors that coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe.
High-rise black skinnies
We’re over the stigma that all high-rise jeans are associated with light-wash, elastic waist “mom jeans”– right? Debatably the most important pair of pants in your wardrobe is a high-rise pair of black skinny jeans. “Fashion Girls” will tell you that skinnies are no longer, but if you listen enough you’ll also hear them say that high-rise skinnies are always in. JUST AVOID “whiskers”. So why are they so great and so timeless? For starters, you can wear them with almost anything. They can “replace” your leggings during those unfortunate situations in which leggings are not appropriate. They can be taken to certain interviews, and they never look dirty!!! My favorite pairs are from Citizens of Humanity and J Brand, but this isn’t about me.
Tops:
A cute top is often how people make their outfits stand out, but if you’re the kind of person (like myself) who would just prefer something that looks good with almost everything– you want to keep it simple with your day-to-day shirts. Instead of buying prints and loud colors, focus first on the tops that work with the rest of your wardrobe. If you look up some of the world’s most successful bloggers, a lot of them have very simplistic style (see weworewhat and always judging.) Don’t get me wrong– just because something is simple does not make it boring. I’m a huge believer in having a variety of cuts and materials as opposed to variety in patterns. Thats me, but seeing as you’re not “into fashion”, I think that would probably be your best as well.
Chambray (denim) shirt:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE chambray shirts. If I could marry an article of clothing, it’d probably be the Rails LA destroyed denim shirt I’m wearing at this exact moment. A great chambray shirt facilitates the tackle of denim on denim, and fulfills the duties of a flannel during the warmer months. I’d absolutely 100% suggest buying a lighter wash as it integrates well into most people’s wardrobes. However, if you’re one of the people who typically wears light-wash jeans, go mid-wash on the chambray.
You can wear chambray tops open with a graphic t-shirt or tank top under neither, or closed with leggings, denim, or white pants. (p.s you can wear it with all the pants listed above.) Also, SIZE UP!!!
White button-down
The fashion community in Boston isn’t very big, most of us know each other. Nissa Lafond, a stylist @ Crush Boutique, swears that a white button-down is the absolute most important basic in every women’s wardrobe. Upon hearing this and realizing that my only white button-down was a size too small from express, I figured I probably should invest in something new. Went to Uniqlo in Faneuil hall because Samantha “Fenway Fashionista” Crompton is an avid fan of their flannels and recommended the store.
I paid $29 for this top at Uniqlo and have probably worn it more than 29 times since I bought it only a couple months ago. It is THE perfect white button up for those who aren’t looking for anything particularly fitted. the fabric looks and feels expensive, like really expensive. I bought it oversized because thats what I tend to do. Wear this with the boyfriend jeans or the skinnies listed above– but also tucked into destroyed denim shorts.
LBT (little black tank)
My roommates make fun of me because of the insane number of black tanks I own… all chiffon and silk. My favorite is my J Brand v-neck tank, which I wear so often that it definitely isn’t socially acceptable. Irregardless, you can NEVER go wrong with a black tank top. Whether you’re going somewhere considerably dressy or have no idea what kind of scene you’re getting yourself into— a LBT is always acceptable (except in obvious circumstances.)
$9.90 Forever 21 (steal, just get it in every color TBH)
A transformative t-shirt
Just a t-shirt right? Nope. After some time of studying fashion you’ll realize that a simple t-shirt can make or break an outfit. Buy materials that look and feel expensive (even if they aren’t). If it looks expensive to you, it will probably look expensive to other people as well. It doesn’t matter where you buy it, just remember it isn’t “just a t-shirt”. Effortlessly cool.
Dresses-ish:
LWD:
Little white dress, duh. Although in the winter it is crucial to have an LBD, during the warmer months a white dress is usually more appropriate. Look for something that goes from day to night seamlessly.
$23 of pure WORTH IT from Forever 21 (how day to night is this???)
Black Maxi:
Just like the LBT (little black tank), a black maxi dress can be worn in most situations. You could wear this anywhere from a beach-side bar, to a daytime wedding. Its just all about the accessories.
Printed Romper:
Its the it-pieces of the past few seasons have been rompers, so its safe to say they aren’t going anywhere for awhile. Pick something that is unique, but also not too-memorable… you’re going to want to wear it ALL the time. Keep it neutral, but try to switch it up with a pattern.
Shoes:
Lets keep this simple.
1.) Easy to walk in black sandal heels.
2.) Sandals that you can get away with in mildly-dressy situations (as well as the pool)
3.) Sneakers (skate shoes)
$50 Chuck Taylor (basic, but you really can’t go wrong)
Bags:
I’m not going to list very many, because I don’t think thats entirely necessary. All you REALLY need to own is a little black bag (with the exception of work/school bags.) For something that translates from day-to-night in the summer, choose either something extremely structured, or something with fringe.
Mango $40 (comes in other colors)
RECAP:
So there you have it. Even if you’re the kind of girl who doesn’t give a shit about trends or fashion, you can look like you do. You don’t have to put in a lot of effort to look cool or presentable… and you don’t need to spend a lot of money either.
I’m 100% a supporter of personal style. However, in order to fully embrace your individuality in fashion, you need to first find the basics that make your wardrobe function properly.
