The Post-Grad Guide to Wardrobe Staples
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak”
When I graduated from college a few years ago, I had no idea how to actually dress myself or what my style looked like. I mean, I had been wearing Nike shorts, XL t-shirts and Chacos for the past four years and you apparently can't wear that to work in a corporate office, so it doesn't really translate into my post-grad world. Being forced to buy "real" clothes very rapidly without understanding my personal style, I made a few blunders that looking at in my closet now I'm like, "what on Earth was I thinking, this is so not who I am". So this past spring, knowing now the types of clothes that make me feel like my best self, I deep-cleaned my closet, donated everything that I truly didn't love, and started from scratch.
Every fashion magazine talks about clothing staples, usually the white button down shirt, nude pumps, a great pair of dark wash jeans, and yeah, these are pieces that you could wear in a ton of different ways but I have never worn my white button down shirt. That's just not my style. So I've put together my wardrobe staples to try and help other struggling 20-somethings who aren't used to wearing real bras on the daily. Honestly, I'm still struggling with that one.
Leather Jacket
A leather jacket is such a simple way to elevate or complete a look. Throw it over jeans and a t-shirt and you instantly transform clothes into a put-together outfit. I'm a fan of the moto style jacket because the A-symmetrical cut and it's so versatile for different occasions. I had been looking for a good leather jacket for months, and I finally found a BCBG one out of no where when I was walking through Dillards. Personally, I think this is a piece you should hold out for and truly invest in since it's something that you'll be able to wear forever, however if you're not sure where this would fit into your wardrobe, I would go for a more cost-effective one until you decide whether or not you'd get enough wear out of it to validate splurging.
Worth the wait.
Quick fix.
Black Jumpsuit
I bought a black jumpsuit at Zara earlier this year because I had two glasses of sangria at lunch and my friend talked me into it, but seriously it is my favorite thing in my closet. It's truly the most versatile piece I own and I consciously have to stop myself from wearing it to every event. You can throw on black pumps and go to a wedding or you can grab a jean jacket and Birks to go to the grocery store. The hard thing about buying a jumpsuit in general is that they all fit so differently and if you have any hips at all (literally me) you can't get discouraged if you don't find a flattering one immediately. I usually try on most jumpsuits I find when I go shopping, you know, just to see, and probably 80% of them don't look good on me, but that one I bought tipsy on sangria fits like a glove and is so comfortable. Long story short, don't give up on your jumpsuit dreams.
Worth the wait.
Quick fix.
Fur Vest
The (faux) fur vest has made a comeback in the recent years, in my opinion. Pros: super cute, warm, easy to wear with a lot of outfits, makes jeans and a flannel feel chic. Cons: people standing behind you at the Target check-out will pet you without your permission, your boss will pet you without your permission, your cat will be afraid of you and won't let you hold him. Basically, if you have boundary issues or really like animals, this might not be a great piece for you. I'm also not sure how long this is going to be a trend. I feel like this fall is the influx of fur vests and then next year they will be in decline, but I might be wrong. I'll still be wearing mine for a long time to come, but if you think it may take you a while to warm up to a great fur vest, I wouldn't shell out for a super nice one right away. Also, Target has a really nice selection of them right now so it actually might be better to get a variety of cheaper vests versus getting one really nice one.
Worth the wait.
Quick fix.
Ankle Boots
I never truly understood the power of the ankle boot until Harry Styles wore his Yves Saint Laurent pair for the second or third time and then I became a believer. This is one of the many things I have to thank him for, showing me the bootie light. Ankle boots or booties are a super simple way to complete an outfit and they transition easily from day to night. They're great for every season, even summers because you get the look of the boot without the commitment to cover your whole calf. I like them for a night out as well because you don't have to worry about people stepping on your feet or a drink spilling and getting all sticky. That's happened to everyone and it's never pleasant. They're also my go-to travel shoes because they keep your feet warm on planes but they're easy to take off for airport security and with socks you don't have to walk barefoot on floor when you're getting body-scanned. Let's be real that floor is disgusting.
Worth the wait.
Quick fix.
LBD – Little Black Dress
This is probably the only classic staple I agree with because it really is a necessity. The connotation with "little black dress" I think puts too much pressure on the outfit to be super sexy or form-fitting but that doesn't always have to be true. The perfect LBD for you might be a casual shift dress or a loose-fitting cotton swing dress; it's whatever makes you feel the best about yourself, whatever you can put on and feel invincible in. And there's not a rule saying you can only have one LBD either. I have about four. There is something to be said about having one amazing black dress that fits like a glove, but a lot of times you pay for that fit and quality. If you're like me and can't put that much stock in one dress or just really like the way you look in black (also me) then getting multiple dresses that you can switch up depending on mood and formality of occasion is a great way to go.
Worth the wait.
Quick fix.
