#1 LBD

To achieve a classic look and never have to say “I have nothing to wear”, you must have certain essential items.  Two years ago I made an appointment with a personal style consultant at J Crew. I wouldn’t have thought to do this on my own, but they sent me a gift card to use towards purchase if I made an appointment with one of their consultants. Free money?  I was so there, even though I had my doubts.  It wasn’t at all coercive or time consuming as I had thought it would be. When I arrived, she asked what I needed help with. I told her my dilemma; lots of clothes, nothing to wear. She asked a few questions like what I did for a living. She asked if I had a chambray shirt or a pencil skirt. A what? and no.  How about pants? Did I like what I had?  No.  She gave me three pieces of clothing to try on. Only three.She didn’t try to sell me the entire store. I ended up buying an off white pencil skirt, and cropped skinny pants, both on sale.  Their chambray was too expensive, so I waited and bought one online at J Crew Factory.

That really shook me up and made me look at things differently. With only a few essential pieces, you can create so many great looks and over 10 different posts I will introduce you to them all, starting with the little black dress.

This is one of three black dresses I own.  This one is Ann Taylor Loft and came from that same hospital thrift store where I got the DVF wrap dress. All of their non-designer dresses are $6.99! I don’t know if you can see it in the picture since it is a black dress, but there are darts at the waist line which camouflage my tummy. It was missing a belt, but since you could basically add just about any belt to this dress and look fabulous, that wasn’t a problem. I chose a leopard print. I wore black wedges. Betsey Johnson drop earrings added a youthful touch.

Variations on this outfit include colorful and/or wide belts, a scarf, a statement necklace, a cardigan, and for fall/winter, tights and boots or booties.