Great News!

I'm back!

Due to pressing logistical issues in my actual life, I have not been blogging as I'm sure my legions of followers have noticed.

I am going to start posting pictures of myself in fabulous/obnoxious/questionable outfits again asap but I've also made the executive decision that, from here on out, this esteemed blog will not be exclusively about fashion/style/clothes. It's going to be about a mish mosh of things but all of it is going to be exclusively noncontroversial so no one get too excited. That is unless you think it's okay to wear white after Labor Day, then prepare to be outraged.

Also, this new and improved blog will regularly feature the soon-to-be-renamed "Kate's Korner" - Life & Style Musings by KND. As time goes on, we'll hopefully add some additional regular contributors.

See you soon!

See you soon!

Saturday, 6-12-2010

Here is the outfit I wore out last night. This dress is by Max Studio but I got it at TJ Maxx for $30.00(!!!!!!!!!!) - There is some non-distracting detailing at the top of the bodice so I included a close-up.


Earrings: Rue 21
Dress: Max Studio
Bracelet: Ross Simons
Shoes: Naughty Monkey

I also used my J. Renee cross-body clutch.































Here is Rachel, LBK's room mate for the summer. I think she is really rocking this print and those ruffles. Not sure that I could pull this off but she definitely can.










Also, here is Vicki's outfit of choice. I love the see-through top - it really takes the edge off the all black outfit. And, as with Rachel, I think she looks killer in the ruffled skirt - not sure that I could do it!

June 11, 2010

Here is what I wore to our in-service today.

Top: Banana Republic
Camisole: Old Navy
Pants: Banana Republic
Sandals: Wanted

June 4, 2010

Here is the outfit I wore out to dinner with my parents on Friday night.

Top: Banana Republic
Pants: Anthropologie (Brand: "Hei Hei")
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Bag: J. Renee
Jewelry: Various

Face Meet Palm: My Biggest Fashion Pet Peeves

Here is a brief overview of the three style Do Nots that I personally find most irksome. Let the tirade begin!

Pet Peeve #1: When people create “rules” against wearing certain types of clothing.

(Real men are open to trying new things.)

Everyone is within her right to have certain things that she usually doesn’t wear. For example, I usually don’t wear blue because I usually don’t like blue (excepting navy). But I would never make a blanket rule against blue because I think it’s unnecessary. If I usually don’t like blue, I usually won’t buy it. Simple as that: No need to officially ban it. What happens when, inevitably, I happen upon something blue that I do like? Should I not buy it just because it’s blue? Clearly, that would be absurd.

Usually, when people do the “I don’t wear [insert clothing item here]” thing it has more to do with cuts and fits than with colors. Even so, I think the issues that lead people to impose such bans are usually in their own heads.

Using myself as an example again: I am working very hard to get over my fear of classic-cut pencil skirts. I have long felt hostile towards pencil skirts and skirts that hit just below the knee so a classic-cut pencil skirt is basically my worst fear. In my mind that particular combination of shape and length makes my legs look like they have been halved in length and doubled in width. However, I have determined that if I buy the right skirt, have it tailored, and wear it with super-high heels, there is no way that I cannot overcome this phobia of mine. It’s a work in progress but I’m determined to become a pencil-skirt-wearer one of these days.

Fashion is about being open-minded and taking chances so if you create too many rules about what you will and won’t wear, you will end up making the quest to be fashionable unnecessarily difficult.

Pet Peeve #2: When people let fear of failure keep them in ugly clothes for years.

(Melissa and Britney may have been the coolest kids around in 1999 but hopefully they threw these outfits away a long time ago.)

You know who you are. In high school, you understood what was fashionable and wore the latest trends without thinking twice. 10, 15, 25 years later, you’re still wearing those same outdated styles because you’ve lost your grip on what’s fashionable and why.

This one affects men at least as badly as it affects women. I have seen this happen with men and jeans: they are afraid of looking stupid in a cut they aren’t used to so they continue looking stupid in a cut that fits them poorly. The familiar is comforting but it is definitely not always flattering.

It’s a pretty gaping logic fail: people who continue wearing outdated cuts and fits are clearly doing so because they’re afraid of looking bad in new cuts and fits. Ironically, they already look bad in the old stuff so they really have nothing to lose.

Once again, it’s the decided un-adventurousness of this attitude that irks me. Life is not about playing it safe and neither is fashion!

Pet Peeve #3: Size Phobia

(You don't want to end up like this lady!)

This is the one that keeps me up at night. I feel extremely, extremely frustrated by people who buy clothes a size too small because of a phobia or fear of “big sizes” hanging in their closet. This is SO STUPID and let me tell you why:

The number on the label of your jeans is no one’s business but your own. What I mean by this is that, quite literally, no one sees it except for you because it’s on the inside of your jeans NOT the outside. If your clothes fit you, no one will ever wonder what size they are. Meanwhile, if your clothes are visibly too tight, people are exponentially more likely to take note. These people will not think to themselves “Oh! But good for her! She can still squeeze into a small!” – They may think that you look like a sausage in its casing or they may think you need to lose weight but it will not occur to them to feel proud of you for fitting into those Size 4s.

The irony just kills me: You go into a store and spot a certain top. You try it on in a small and clearly need a medium but decide to buy the small because all of your friends wear smalls and you don’t want to be the fat friend.

Let’s outline the problems with this scenario:

• You are about to spend good money on a top that doesn’t actually fit you. The only scenario under which it makes sense to buy a top that doesn’t fit you is if you’re giving it away as a present. Otherwise, you should never, ever, ever do this. It’s logically and economically unsound.
• Every well-made top is supposed to fit a certain way. The intended fit is part of the top. If you deliberately buy something too small, you are missing out on a key feature of the top and severely detracting from its cuteness. If you’re going to do this, you might as well not buy it: what’s the point?
• If you buy the medium, chances are it will be flattering and you will look great. If you buy the smaller size, you will look like a big oinker. If your concern is that it’s potentially embarrassing to have mediums in your closet, your logical conclusion should be that this is the lesser of two evils. The other evil is that you will look larger than you truly are in the small and this is clearly worse.

If you are truly a chronic size phobic, here are my tips to avoid falling into the looking-fat-because-you-want-to-feel-skinny trap:

1. Buy both sizes, take them home with you, take pictures, and keep the size that is more flattering in the photos (the key is that you have to suck it in equally in both pictures – don’t cheat with the smaller size).
2. Take a friend shopping with you and ask for her honest opinion.
3. If you know you need the larger of two sizes but can’t bring yourself to buy it, don’t buy that item at all. If you’re a shopaholic, this might be tough advice to swallow. But here’s the reality: if you buy the larger size, you feel fat. If you buy the smaller size, you look fat. Go to a store where the sizing is more agreeable to you and buy something there or wait until you lose weight to buy that particular item. Don’t spend money on something that fits incorrectly or on something that makes you feel depressed.

Unsolicited Advice for my College Roommate

This post is for my dear friend, Erin Kerchner. Erin is about to start her first ever big girl job – she got this job super fast after coming back to the U.S. from China because she is so personable and likable! I am so proud of her! When I was in Pittsburgh this past weekend, I really wanted to go shopping for work clothes with her but we didn’t get a chance to do that on account of the fact that we were busy being boozy. What else is new?

Soooooo since Erin is starting her job June 7^th, here are my 7 must have summer work pieces to help her build her new work wardrobe. For everyone who doesn’t know Erin, be aware that this will be a very grueling task for her. Erin absolutely hates shopping. It’s her absolute least favorite. She hates shopping almost as much as I do. /Sarcasm.

1. Linen Trouser-Cut Pants

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=37520&vid=1&pid=746374&scid=746374002

A total must. Assuming they are cut like a true trouser, linen pants are appropriate for any workplace aside from those that are strictly business formal. So cool and comfy but still very professional-looking. Snatch them up while you can! They are hard to find after Memorial Day and pretty much impossible to find after the 4^th of July.

2. Cotton Shells

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=25798&N=0&Ntk=KeywordSearch&Ntt=shell&Nty=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&found=24&defaultSizeType=Petite

The shells that are sold at stores like Ann Taylor LOFT, J. Crew, and Banana Republic at this time of year are typically super lightweight and breathable but they look faultlessly professional when paired with a cardigan and the right bottoms.

3. Sleeveless Button Downs

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=26008&N=1200005&pCategoryId=3939&categoryId=183&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_183&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Dusty%20Lilac&defaultSizeType=Regular

Cotton shells play basically the same role that sleeveless button downs do and they are my preference but in some situations a sleeveless button down may look more crisp , clean, and professional than a shell will so it’s a good to have a few on hand.

4. Jersey Dresses

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5382&vid=1&pid=695874&scid=695874062

My work environment is super casual in the summer months so I have a feeling that I will be wearing this type of thing fairly often. Even if your work environment stays a little more formal from Monday through Thursday, if you have casual Friday, during the summer months, a jersey dress might be a good thing to wear.

5. Sheer Cardigans

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24905&N=0&Ntk=KeywordSearch&Ntt=sheer&Nty=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&found=2&defaultSizeType=Regular

My favorite trick. I’m of the mindset that bare shoulders are not really work appropriate. Some people would disagree; it really comes down to your work environment. As a general rule: if no other women in your office are sporting bare shoulders during the summer, you shouldn’t either. Sheer or very lightweight cardigans are a way to avoid breaking the no-bare-shoulders rule without overheating yourself. Plus they are a little bit sexy without being inappropriate. A sheer cardigan, a shell, and linen trousers is a foolproof summertime work look.

6. Peep-Toe Pumps

http://www.zappos.com/nine-west-prepster-white-leather?zlfid=111
(BTW, I have these shoes and I HIGHLY recommend them - so, so, so cute)

Once again, some very formal workplaces have strict policies against open-toed shoes. Even in workplaces that technically permit them, you need to use your own best judgment – a strappy sandal might be taking things a bit too far. A peep toe is usually okay in the summer months and it’s a great way to show off a pedicure.

7. Bermuda Shorts

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24530&N=1200009&pCategoryId=3939&categoryId=118&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_118&loc=TN&defaultColor=Light%20Ground%20Pepper&defaultSizeType=Regular

Depending on your workplace, you might need to limit these to casual Friday but they can look fairly professional depending on how they are tailored and what you pair them with.

Dearest, Erin, I hope you find this list helpful! Best of luck shopping!

And then there was WHITE: Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend I am going out to Pittsburgh to visit my friends from college. Memorial Day Weekend is one of the best times of the year because it marks the return of those trusty tan-enhancers: white shoes and shorts! Hooray!

Here is my packing list:

Let's start with three potential "going out" outfits. First we have a pink silk tank top from Ann Taylor LOFT, which I would pair with my tried and true white J Crew chino shorts. This will be the fourth summer I've had these shorts and I absolutely love them because you can dress them up or dress them down and they are super lightweight. Then I have my white Kelly & Katie espadrilles. I would top this outfit off with pearl and shell earrings and my trusty silver banana republic bangles as well as a cheap, white clutch from Banana Republic. I could also take my Kate Spade cross-body clutch but a lot of Pittsburgh bars are VERY smoky so I might want a more expendable option.

Next up! I recently splurged on this silk, caftan-style dress at South Moon Under. I might choose this if we end up going to a nicer club on a really hot night. I would pair it with my hot pink Franco Sarto pumps, my Kate Spade cross-body bag (once again: assuming that we're in a smoke-free environment). I think this outfit would look great with a gold bangle and my vermeil lotus earrings.
What could be so exciting and fantastic as the long overdue return of the romper - all of my three-year-old dreams have finally been realized! I think this turquoise romper would look great with a lot of brown and gold. I could replace the tie with this tan leather belt from Ann Taylor LOFT and wear my Jessica Simpson high-heeled sandals. For jewelry: I think these three bangles (H&M) would work perfectly. And my lotus earrings would also look nice. I have a new cross-body clutch from J. Renee that would work really well with this but I forgot to put it in the picture.

OR! I could pair this same romper with a sheer white sweater from Ann Taylor LOFT, white espadrilles, silver bangles, and shell earrings and it would work very nicely should we decide to go to a nice-ish dinner. Obviously this outfit would work with either my Kate Spade bag or the cheap Forever 21 bag.

Here is the outfit that I think I will wear to Bethany's roof top party on Sunday night. Right, White, and Blue is so summery but I like to avoid it on the 4th of July because it's too literal and obvious. It works better on Memorial Day. This top (the back is seen here) is from the Nordstrom's Junior Department. Same J Crew chino shorts. Same silver and shell jewelry. The shoes are from N.Y.L.A.Last (and kind of least) this is the outfit I am bringing to wear out and about on Sunday during the day because I am meeting someone for coffee and you never know when you might be going shopping. What you see here is a plain white pocket t-shirt from The Gap, my dark denim shorts from New York & Company, Hot pink sandals by Zigi Soho, a wood bangle, turquoise peace sign shell earrings, and my new B. Makowsky satchel.

LBK's 5 Must-Have Looks

So, last week I finished my first year of law school.  Yay!  Although I went straight to law school from undergrad, it was still a challenge making the adjustment for a multitude of reasons, including adapting my wardrobe to my new lifestyle.  I find that I now need to put more effort into my appearance than I may have bothered to do in college for several reasons:

1) My schedule is usually jam-packed, so on any given day I have several back-to-back appointments and events that each call for distinctly different looks, and so I need my wardrobe to be able to make that transition with me throughout the day.

2) Even a day of classes is also a networking event of sorts in grad school; my classmates and professors are all going to be my future colleagues when I graduate, so I want to make sure even my day-to-day classroom look is polished.

3) I am one of the youngest people in my class, but I don't want to be thought of that way.  Most of my classmates have had careers before coming back to school; many of them also have spouses and families.  No matter how old you are, looking sloppy is always going to give off an air of being immature and even a little irresponsible, so by taking my appearance seriously, I think it helps others take me seriously as well.

Basically, I've put together 5 basic looks that together cover pretty much the whole range of situations I might be thrown into on any given day.

Look #1: Day-to-Day

This is the look that I would wear to class or to the library.  I also need this look to be able to go out for a casual after-class drink or a coffee or lunch date. 

So this is something I might typically wear to class.  The dark skinny jeans are from J.Crew, the silk shirt is by Merona, and the cropped cardigan is also from J.Crew.  This outfit is comfortable and casual, which makes it ideal for long days in the library, but still interesting and stylish enough to be a step up from what I might wear to the gym.  At this point in my life, there's something that just rubs me the wrong way about people rolling into class in whatever they slept in the night before.  I feel like you should be able to carve out the 15 minutes it takes to put together something half decent-looking each morning; otherwise, do I really want to hire you as my lawyer?  Here's a close-up of the print on the shirt:

I like how the cardigan pulls out the small amount of red in the shirt.  I also have this outfit paired with black flats, by Rocket Dog.  Flats are necessary because I do a lot of walking around campus.  In a colder month, I'd probably wear this outfit with the jeans tucked into flat knee-high boots.  Another important aspect of this outfit is its ability to transition (I'll talk some more about this later).  If I swap out the flats for heels, lose the big bag in favor of a black clutch, and take my hair out of the ponytail, I'm ready to go out for a drink!

The heels are red patent leather slingbacks by Guess and the clutch is by Jessica McClintock.  I could either keep the cardigan on or take it off, depending on what the weather is doing.

Look #2: Business Formal

This is the look I would wear to a job interview or a school event requiring "courtroom attire," like our oral argument competition recently held at City Hall.  I purchased my first ever suit this year for summer internship interviewing, and have since added two more suits to my wardrobe that I'll be wearing to the kick-ass summer internship that I eventually landed :).

So, the legal profession has some weird rules about what is "appropriate."  Generally speaking, for an interview situation, you're supposed to dress as conservatively as possible.  That means either a black, navy, or grey suit and a button-down shirt.  In the above picture, I'm wearing a navy suit from Ann Taylor (I also have the matching skirt), a Ralph Lauren button-down (blue and white striped, it's hard to tell from the picture), and black Nine West pumps.  Interestingly, what's considered most conservative for female attorneys is a skirt suit.  Go figure.  

This would be another example of something that I might wear to work (although not necessarily on an interview, depending on what type of place I was interviewing for).  This brown suit is by Jones New York (also three pieces), the houndstooth shell is by Liz Claiborne, and the brown crocodile shoes are by Nine West.

Look #3: Business Casual

This look is somewhere between Looks #1 and #2.  Personally, I hate the term "business casual" because I think it's uselessly ambiguous; if you asked 10 different people what they considered to be "business casual" attire, you would get 10 completely different answers.  I might wear this look to meet with a faculty mentor or to attend a networking fair/event, or out to dinner with my parents.  Also, depending on the atmosphere, I might wear something like this to work on a day I knew I wouldn't need to be in court (you always need a suit for court).

I am slightly in love with this outfit, especially the Chanel-esque sweater (I'm a sucker for anything reminiscent of Chanel).  This super cute navy and white piece with gold buttons is actually from H&M, and was a total steal.  The navy skirt is from NY & Company, the red slingbacks are the same as earlier, from Guess, and I have this look paired with a simple white camisole. 

This is another take on the same look.  The dress is from Target, the shoes are a brand called XOXO, and I've just accessorized with a vintage gold bangle.  I would definitely pair a cardigan with this look too.  Even though the colors of the dress are very bright and un-law-ish (we lawyers are apparently expected to be super boring), the fact that the plaid print is such a traditional one I think makes it do-able, especially with a solid cardigan. 

Look #4: Out on the Town

This is the look that was easiest to transition from undergrad to grad.  Going to school in NYC, there was a lot of emphasis placed on your "going out" look because half the student body was under the impression that they were perpetually headed to a Marc Jacobs runway show.  Anyway, the nighttime look is crucial in law school because everything, and I do mean everything, revolves around happy hours.  Every student organization, the local Bar Association, and the school itself all host happy hours; generally, there will be at least one per week.  I often try to make this look transition from Looks #1 or #3 [like in the second picture in the post] if the happy hour is on a weeknight, and just hop from the library to the bar (my life is wildly exciting).  If I have the chance to actually go home and change, I might wear something like this:

You can't go wrong with black!  The sequin-banded skirt and the big black chandelier earrings are from H&M, the plain black tank is from Old Navy, the black patent leather pumps are by Jessica Simpson, the black clutch is by Jessica McClintock, and the silver chain bracelet is actually a necklace wrapped around a few extra times.

Another look...This navy jersey dress is from H&M, the pink pumps are from Nine West and the clutch is from NY & Company.  My favorite part of this outfit is the peacock feather clip from Urban Outfitters.  It's a really pretty touch that makes the whole outfit just look a little dressier.  I could wear this simple comfy dress to class with flats or sandals and a little jacket or cardigan and then switch out to these accessories for a dinner date or a happy hour.

Look #5: Sophisticated Evening

This look is the least frequently used in my arsenal but extremely important in its own right.  I have now been to 3 different semi-formal/formal functions surrounding my law school career, and just like every other function connected to law school, it's really just a networking event disguised in cocktail party clothing.  The events I've been to thus far have had judges and prominent local attorneys in attendance, and so a look for that evening needs to be slightly different than what I might normally pick out for my sorority formal in undergrad.  I think one of the most important forms of dressing for every woman to master, regardless of her career path or lifestyle, is how to dress for a formal occasion in a way that makes her look elegant, powerful, feminine, and classic all at once.  I am an adamant believer that true feminism is not necessarily being able to claw your way to the top of a male-dominated profession by being "one of the boys," but to do so while still retaining her femininity.  However, it is a huge challenge to find that center line between an outfit that is too showy and sexy (and has everyone wondering whose date you are, instead of which firm you're from) and one that is too dowdy, matronly, or worse, manly (i.e. 90% of the suits you've ever seen Hillary Clinton wear), which makes me feel like I've had to sacrifice being a woman in order to be taken seriously. 

This dress, by Kenar, has some beautiful, feminine details, like the ruffles at the neckline and the tiered hemline.  I also love the deep purple color, and the back of the dress:

However, I think the dress has a professional presence to it because the color is not too flashy, the hem is long enough, and the neckline is high.  Here, I have it paired with pearl earrings and a pearl bracelet, and nude patent leather pumps by Steve Madden (seriously, these shoes might be the most comfortable pair I've ever owned).  

Other essentials:

Pearls:
I think every woman should have at least one strand of pearls in her jewelry box, real or faux (as long as they're well-made).  Putting on a strand of pearls instantly polishes any outfit, and can be a simple way to transition a look for different occasions.  In terms of the transitional look, I've spent the last 9 months commuting to school about an hour in each direction, so once I came into the city for the day, I was staying there until everything I had to do was accomplished.  That frequently meant making sure I was appropriately attired for a day's worth of events, meetings, and social events.  The experience has made me a huge fan of tiny touches that can have transform an outfit, like a piece of jewelry or a cardigan, but can be safely tucked away in a bag or locker until it's time to dress up or down.  A pearl necklace is often just the ticket.  A set of pearl studs, or very short dangle earrings, is also a must-have for the same reasons.

(http://www.advicesisters.net/uploaded_images/pearls-703061.jpg)

A Trenchcoat:
There comes a time in every girls life where she needs to ditch the vinyl windbreaker and upgrade to something a little more chic.  I can think of very few things I feel to be as timeless and effortlessly fashionable as a really great trench.  The key to doing it right is in the tailoring; the length of the sleeves, the length of the coat itself, tie-waist v. belted, the placement of the vents in the back, the style of the collar- all of these things will differ based on your build and height.  My trench, pictured below, is by Coach.  Tan is obviously the "traditional" color for a trench (although I am definitely in the market for a black one now!), but the lining is a really beautiful peachy coral which gives it a little something special. Along the same lines, a pair of neutral rainboots, in black or dark brown, are also a good idea for anyone who commutes in the city, like me.  I am a huge fan of bright colors and normally would jump at the chance to pick a pair of wacky, crazy boots (case in point: my old pair which were hot pink), but the legal profession is a bit too staid for that apparently, so I'll be updating those soon.

THE Bag:
I have been known to blow an entire summer's income on a really lust-inspiring bag.  More than once.  I know, it's terrible.  But a bag is another easy way of changing the whole look of an outfit without changing anything else.  However, now that I'm a burgeoning professional, I needed a "work bag."  Before beginning my search, I made a list of functions I needed this miracle bag to be able to handle: large enough to fit my laptop but slim enough that I wouldn't be taking people out with it as I walked down the sidewalk, lots of organizational elements but not too heavy and weighted down to make for comfortable carrying, and neutral enough to appear professional and match with any outfit but cute enough that it wouldn't make me want to hurl just looking at it.  Clearly, I need this bag to work as hard as I'll be doing.  I highly recommend making a list like this to anyone on the hunt for a work-friendly bag  because I struck pay dirt in the very first store I visited- I was able to tell the saleswoman exactly what I was looking for so she was able to show me bags that would serve all my needs.  My bag is pictured below.  It has a nice zippered center section for my laptop, as well as two side compartments with different pockets for my cell phone, writing implements, wallet, etc.  Also important: there is a zippered back panel for anything I might want/need to have with me but don't want to run the risk of having it accidentally fly out of my bag as I take out paperwork or something.

Friday Night Outfit

Here is what I wore out in the Northern Liberties on Friday Night. It was a full week before Memorial Day weekend but I decided to go with a lot of white. Sue me!

















Top: Ann Taylor LOFT
Pants: The Gap
Shoes: White House, Black Market
Bag: Kate Spade
Bangles: Ross-Simons
Earrings: Ross-Simons




I'm so in love with these shoes.

Minimalism: My Thoughts

Of the definable style choices that Amanda Brooks covers, I find minimalism both most intriguing and most unattainable. What I mean when I say "unattainable" is that I cannot imagine myself ever possessing enough self discipline to be a truly minimalistic dresser.

According to Amanda Brooks, minimalism is "about having less and enjoying the things you have more - it's about cutting through the excess to discover what is essential. Minimalist style requires discipline, consistency, and attention to quality. Most minimalists...are methodical about getting dresses and have a heightened sense of self-awareness. They are often devoted to certain brands for their guarantee of good cut, fabric quality, and reliability of design." (p. 113).

After years of being an eclectic, somewhat compulsive shopper, there's nothing I don't love about the idea of having less and enjoying the things you have more. Brooks goes so far as to say that the limited choices she had when attempting to dress like a minimalist made her feel relieved - I can definitely see how this might be the case. However, minimalism is clearly a style for those who don't get bored easily and who aren't swayed by trends. To put it simply: it ain't me, Babe.

However, most of the staples of the minimalist looks are things that you unarguably cannot live without.

SUCH AS!

A Little Black Dress

You can never go wrong with a little black dress. The general concept will never go out of style.


A White Button Down

(Image: eoline.com)

For a lot of women, the perfect white button down is something of a quest. I've never had a really nice, really perfect white button down because button down shirts are generally not made to fit my body type: if it fits in the bodice, it's too big in the waist but if it fits in the waist, it gapes in the bodice. However, I recently discovered a site that makes button downs specifically for women with this problem - it's nice because they'll still have a size to fit you regardless of how otherwise thin you are.

Long story short: there's no way any man or woman over the age of 13 can live without a white button down.

Perfect Black Pants

Same thing. I defy you to tell me how any grown up can live in this world without at least one pair of black pants. Typically, "black pants" call to mind black dress pants but don't count out the recent ubiquity of black leggings. And what about the Freddy Krueger quality of black leather pants? They will never completely die.

(Photo: theinsider.com)

Plain Black Bag

You really should have one. Even if it's not by Hermes.