Core basics for your wardrobeHi, There!

In my last blog write, I talked about looking “effortless” in your outfit. Yes, it is a look that many women and men covet. I was inspired to take it further because I received a blog comment from a reader who asked me this:

Hi michelle,

I would love it if my style looked effortless. However, I am stuck on actually having it be effortless. I know you touched on this a little but can you expand on this concept a bit more. Thanks.

Sue

I answered Sue on my blog with this brief response:

I hear you. It is one thing to look “effortless,” it is another thing to really create a look “effortlessly.” Stay tuned for my next write. Thanks!

Ok Sue, this one is for you and everyone else who was wondering the same thing. “Your outfit may look effortless but was creating it truly effortless?” That is what matters most. Who cares if their outfit looks effortless if they had to stress out big time over it or it took them over an hour to get that look. Was it worth it? Maybe, but with all of our busy schedules, most likely not.

This week I’m going to talk about acquiring that “effortless” look with very little effort. It all comes down to having the right pieces so that mixing up outfits becomes effortless. And yes, just in case you are wondering, finding those right pieces does take some effort. But if you know your Body-Type, the Colors that compliment you, and you honor your Personality and your Lifestyle-Requirements, the effort you make will be lots of fun. I promise you.

What I am going to share with you is not a quick fix but dedicated effort toward building a working wardrobe. Patience is needed here because getting all of your core pieces that are needed to create a working wardrobe is a continual work in progress until complete. And then the way to keep your wardrobe working for you is through regular maintenance. Just like you have to perform maintenance on your car to keep it looking good and running well, what hangs in your closet is no different.

Creating a working wardrobe all begins with having all of your Core Basics covered in the neutrals that are best for your personal coloring, (skin tone, hair and eye color) to mix in with your fashionable pieces in colors, prints and patterns.

Here is a list of the Core Basics that everyone should have in their closet. This is a general list so some of the pieces may not be right for your Lifestyle-Requirements. If some of these aren’t, you should cross them off from your list. For example: If you work for a tech company, or you are a yoga instructor, you may not need the suit that is noted on this list. (Please click here to view the list.)

Use this list of Core Basics when you go shopping so that you stay on track with your budget while building your working wardrobe. Once you have all of these Core Basics in complimentary neutrals (suited to your Body-Type,reflecting your Personality, and meeting your Lifestyle-Requirements) mixing them up with your fashionable pieces (colors, prints and patterns that also reflect your Personality, work with your Body-Type, and meet your Lifestyle-Requirements) into outfits, literally becomes effortless. Not to mention that the outfit combinations, will be endless.

When your wardrobe is doing this for you, you have truly created a “working wardrobe,” and getting dressed becomes exciting, something you look forward to instead of dreading.

Bonus:
In case some of you were wondering about shoes, I’ve got you covered on that too! Click here for a list of the Core Basic shoes that you should also include in building your working wardrobe.

Now, it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you. Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.
Blog me.

Love,

~Michelle