A lot of bloggers and fashionistas are asked what they think are closet essentials for every young lady. Many of them say similar things: a denim shirt, a good pair of black pumps. I agree with them, but I do think that this question changes depending on our age, our profession, and our lifestyle. This is my version of five things I think that every woman should have in her closet; especially a young woman who doesn't wear heels everyday.
1) Plain white tee-shirt. This is something bloggers from Manrepeller to Karla's Closet have said, which I wholeheartedly agree with. I wasn't into white tee shirts until this year when I started stealing and wearing my brother's white tees that he'd leave at home. They are super comfortable and somehow subtly stylish. I bought my own and now their perfect to wear when you don't know what to wear. For some reason they just make us look put together and simply chic at the same time.
2) Comfortable cute ankle boots. I love boots, especially ankle boots. Most of my shoes are either boots, if not they're oxfords. I really like low-heel brown ankle boots- in a variety of styles. For a lady who doesn't wear heels everyday, a cute ankle boot (or bootie) with a max of a 3-inch heel that's comfortable to walk in, is both functional and gives a little height to us shorties.
3)
Oversized sweater. I think every gal should have an oversized sweater she really loves that she can wear when she's not feeling too hott and wants to be comfortable, warm, and cute. Oversized sweaters are good under a wool coat for winter, and over a tee-shirt or button-up in the fall. For those transitioning seasons you can even wear an over-sized sweater with a skirt or shorts. It's versatile and compliments a slim silhouette on the bottom. If you have one, keep and love it-if not-get one.
4) Black denim skinnies. As you've seen in two of my posts already I really love black denim skinnies. Black, like white, has a way of always producing a classic look-whether it's an all black ensemble or a pair of black denim skinnies with a white tee and ankle boots (see how these previous things are already creating outfits when put together ;). Get a good pair of black denim skinnies and wear them when you want a casual crisp look.
And last, but definitely not least.... [drumroll please??]
5)
A-line pencil skirt. Every lady needs a pencil skirt, but why specifically a-line? A-line just means that it is cut in a way that is not tighter at the hem line like many pencil skirts. An a-line pencil skirt with a slit can be dressed up or worn casually with a tee shirt and ankle boots or an oversized sweater and oxfords. It's easier to walk in when the bottom of the skirt is not squeezing your knees together. Pencil skirts provide a feminine silhouette, thanks to Christian Dior's first collection in 1947 featuring a "wasp" waist, the hour-glass silhouette. Try a bold color like red or turquoise. One of my favorite skirts is a vintage turquoise a-line pencil skirt I found on a whim while walking to get tea in Oakland, California.
These are my Five Must-Have's. Almost any combination of four or three of these pieces creates an effortless chic, classic outfit. Whether it breeds a vintage-classic feel like the pencil skirt and an oversized sweater would; or a classic-spring look, which the black denim skinnies and white tee would produce, they complement each other and can be worn in a variety of ways. Like I've mentioned before, I think eco-friendly fashion and recycling our closets are key for ladies who are on the go and don't always have the time or money to be constantly shopping. These five must-haves allow us to mix it up while being comfortable at the same time. Let me know if you agree!
Don't forget to check out the Zara Giveaway ending next week!
Leandra Medine, the manreppeller, is by far-one of my favorite bloggers. She is fun, confident, makes a statement, and is all about dressing to make yourself happy regardless of a man. If you find one who loves you regardless of how you dress, like she has, then it's that much better. Her style is quirky and fun.
I hope you all had a good day. I'm sure some of you are already out or getting ready to do so. In about five minutes I will be partying. Ya! The Caribbean Cultural Show went great, lots of fun. Here's how I changed my outfit for the performance: I put on a short-sleeve button-up I got a while ago from H&M with my Caribbean island earrings, and of course-switched out my bracelets.
Today was a nice day, even though I was feeling a bit under the weather. It was sunny and light-raining at the same time, which reminded me of Ireland. It hasn't been so cold and rain, rather than snow, is always a good sign. I think spring might have sprung. Today I'm wearing gap boyfriend jeans, a button-up from the men's section of H&M (I think-it's old), a Zara vest, my grandmother's turqoise and gold brooch, and brown oxfords. That's how I know it's getting warmer-I didn't even wear boots today. What are you wearing this spring?
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Instead of solely filling our lives, whether it's our closets or plates, with only beige's and off whites, starches and carbs, let's supplement and compliment our closets and plates with bold and bright colors. Bold and bright is always in style, and when you eat healthy-you feel and look happy. 
Instead of spending time trying to find the best three teeth whiteners or using three different shampoos and conditioners, and using three different face washes, focus on eating food that is good for you and your body; inside and out.
The better the food looks, the more worthy it is of an instragram photo and/or a facebook photo. Generally the food that looks most delectable is food that is colorful: bold and bright; and food that is proportional, meaning it is not a plate weighed down by pounds of food-rather it is a colorful plate that is enhanced by the food. The plate becomes the blank palette for the food, which is the masterpiece. Better pictures usually have better colors and ascetics, foods that are colorful and rich in nutrients provide this color and aesthetic with the added benefit of being healthy, making you feel and look good, and making great photos. 
Black and White are classic colors, or rather-one is the absence of color and the other is all colors mixed together (I think). Together, they make even a simple outfit classic. 
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Canadian Tuxedo anyone? I said I've been into the suit and the all-one-color look-I really am. Today I felt like wearing all denim. The classic Canadian tuxedo. Today I had to go to work and class, nothing special or fancy, so I wore a basic denim on denim look. With boots of course. Some people are not sure how they feel about denim on denim, but it's all over the 2013 runway looks and I think everyone should try it once before they decide they don't like it. 
Remember when we were kids running around the playground so much that it
got hot and our parents told us to tie our sweaters or long-sleeve shirts around
our waist instead of pulling it off and throwing it on the ground? Yeah, that's back-and
it's chic. 
outfit. It is an effortless and cool look that many people love. 
1) The Weather: whether (not pun intended) you live in Paris, Connecticut, or Seattle it is
important to know the weather. If you live in the Caribbean or certain
parts of Latin America it's almost always warm so all you really have to
worry about is whether it will rain or not. Regardless, the
weather-especially for those of us who walk or bike everywhere-is
extremely important. If you have to run a lot of errands, increasing
your time outside, then weather is going to be a big factor. I advise looking up the hourly weather
report the day before then choosing a preliminary outfit. When you wake
up you can check the weather again to decide if you need to make
adjustments or not to the outfit.
2) Your Schedule/The Occasion: this is the second most important for me
because while I'm a student I do a lot of different things and usually
don't have time to change during the day. This means that when I leave the
house in the morning I have to think about all the things I have to do
during the day. If I have class, a lunch meeting and a Skype conference call I'll
probably want to be casual, but incorporate a blazer or blazer vest to
look more professional on the top half. Since during a lunch meeting and a
Skype call the top half of my body is showing/being presented, that matters most. If I
just have to run errands and go to class then I won't worry so much
about how casual I am. If I have a formal dinner later on, maybe I'll bring some nice trousers and heels to change into. Think of your whole day's activities while getting dressed. 
3) What You Feel Like: I think this one is equally, if not-more,
important than the first two. I truly believe that if we don't wear what
we feel like wearing then we'll be uncomfortable the whole day and
visibly look uncomfortable. If our main concern is warmth then we should
be warm or else our mood will be off. If you feel like wearing blue,
then you should wear blue. If you feel like wearing a skirt then wear a
skirt. When you wear what you feel like wearing your mood is better and you are
happier. Sometimes we feel like wearing something that conflicts with
the first two (weather or occasion), that's when we have to get creative. My freshman and
sophomore year of college I didn't want to wear pants. Only skirts and
shorts. Instead of being uncomfortable in jeans I wore skirts/shorts with
tights all year. In the fall I wore sheer tights and in the winter I
wore opaque tights with leg-warmers and boots. If you can't figure out
how to style something you feel like wearing (because of the weather or an
occasion) just ask me and I'll be happy to give you tips. Also, you can
always google it. 
3) Oversized sweater. I think every gal should have an oversized sweater she really loves that she can wear when she's not feeling too hott and wants to be comfortable, warm, and cute. Oversized sweaters are good under a wool coat for winter, and over a tee-shirt or button-up in the fall. For those transitioning seasons you can even wear an over-sized sweater with a skirt or shorts. It's versatile and compliments a slim silhouette on the bottom. If you have one, keep and love it-if not-get one. 
5) A-line pencil skirt. Every lady needs a pencil skirt, but why specifically a-line? A-line just means that it is cut in a way that is not tighter at the hem line like many pencil skirts. An a-line pencil skirt with a slit can be dressed up or worn casually with a tee shirt and ankle boots or an oversized sweater and oxfords. It's easier to walk in when the bottom of the skirt is not squeezing your knees together. Pencil skirts provide a feminine silhouette, thanks to Christian Dior's first collection in 1947 featuring a "wasp" waist, the hour-glass silhouette. Try a bold color like red or turquoise. One of my favorite skirts is a vintage turquoise a-line pencil skirt I found on a whim while walking to get tea in Oakland, California. 
