On having staple pieces that are not staples…

There’s always that post about “X Amount of Staple Pieces YOU Need in Your Closet.” Isn’t fashion and personal style about being an individual? We don’t all need “One great pair of jeans!” I don’t like jeans, and I don’t need one great pair in my closet taking up space and gathering dust. I define staple pieces as pieces that you own and go with everything else in your closet. These are items that, say you have five, you could grab any outfit you own and at least two of them would work with that outfit. They allow you to play around with your style and try out trends without losing yourself and your individuality.

Now, please forgive my terrible quality bathroom mirror photos, they are the best examples I have of my own staples.

Plaid!

I love plaid, and for me plaid goes very far. Whether its like above, sheer plaid paired with leggings and some boots for comfy and cool, or tucked into a dressy skirt and paired with heels for a night out. I also love plaid shirts as something to just throw on unbuttoned when I feel like I’m just missing something. Vintage men’s plaid has a special place in my heart.

Jackets and Cardigans!

 

I may or may not be an old man. In addition to plaid, I love cardigans. As seen in my example, I’m wearing a girly floral dress. My trusty black cardi keeps it closer to my personal style, but also works with the 90s feel of a ditsy floral dress. Of course there is my striped jacket that is perfect for pairing with good accessories to help dress up a basic outfit base.

T-Shirts and Dressy Dresses!

I don’t mean to brag, but I have a pretty great collection of tees and I love to pair them with everything. T-shirts are probably the most essential staple in my wardrobe because I do so much with them. And lastly, a piece that is not necessarily meant to be paired with anything else, but is something I think I need in my closet: a dressy dress. It stands alone, but isn’t something I wear too often. I think it’s important to have a couple of really killer options, so when I do get very dressed up, I don’t have to try too hard.

All of the pieces follow along with my personal style, but allow me to step out of my zone every once in a while, but still feel comfortable with what I’m wearing. If you’re more of a girly girl and go all out in leather and studs, you just won’t feel like yourself. But something covered in studs that comes in a girly color? Go for that shit.

Outfit of the Day(s)

I keep saying I need to put more of myself on my blog, but I’m kind of lazy. I have been posting outfits on Instagram, so while they aren’t fabulous and professional photos, they’re better than nothing!

To me, this outfit is the best representation of my style. While I like everything, I think if I had to describe my style, it would be vintage-inspired with lots of black and too much lipstick. This is seriously a leopard print robe, and when paired with heels and worn over shorts that are too short for my snow white stems I feel like some kind of Vegas prostitute. Which is totally fine by me…

Then I completely stepped out of my comfort zone. There was a little jolt of panic when a coworker mentioned I wasn’t wearing a stitch of black that day. I just couldn’t resist this blue Hawaiian print dress. The orange flatforms were an impulse buy and I’d sat in my room staring at them for days wondering “What the hell do I do with you?” I also love the cold shoulder on this dress, I’m self conscious about my arms, and having that little bit peeking out makes me feel confident and not so covered up on 90+ degree days.

I’m wearing this white shirt now and I never want to stop wearing it. It’s a giant triangle shaped piece of cloth with a hole cut in the middle. I love the way it hangs and can’t wait to pair it with a cropped jacket and leggings once Summer is over. (Oh gosh, has Summer even officially started yet?) I love pairing simple black and white with pops of bright color. My teal moccasins are so damn comfortable and I am in love with this neon pink lip color. The photo does not do the color justice, it hurts my eyes when I’m putting it on.

Another venture from my usual. I got this eggshell button up at Buffalo Exchange forever ago and having a simple button up like that is a necessity. I’ve worn it to court, as a swimsuit cover up, and now tied at the front like a valley girl. I tried the pink lace dress on, not thinking it would ever zip in the back and just to see. It zipped. I cried. I bought it. I got the shoes on sale at Urban Outfitters and they broke the same day, boo Urban. Boo.