When it’s time to look and act like a professional, you need to start off with quality core wardrobe items.  Those things that are classic in cut, color, and style, and which will last for years.  (Think Audrey Hepburn or Princess Grace.) Although these pieces may cost more initially, classic styles can last forever, giving your pieces a very low amortized cost.

When it comes to core items buy the very best that you can afford.  Get things tailored so they fit well because an expensive item with a sloppy fit will look cheap.

Here are 6 core wardrobe pieces to build around:

1. A suit.  Even if you don’t work in a suit environment, you’ll need one for job searches, interviews, or photo ops.  Change the blouse and your accessories, and it can do double duty for a wedding, funeral, or business related event.  Black and navy are classic choices, but any solid neutral will be fine.
2. A little black dress.  Opt for a simple classic style that can be paired with a jacket and go from the boardroom to the dance floor with a change shoes and accessories.
3. Classic blazer.  Find a color that coordinates with the suit, and you expand your versatility with just one piece.
4. Pair of tailored slacks.  Forget the cropped and the hip huggers, and choose a traditional classic trouser cut in a neutral color that coordinates with your suit.
5. Blouse.  One dynamite blouse that can be dressed up or down, making it suitable for business or evening wear.  Choose a simple style that will look good under a suit or tucked into jeans.  White is the most classic, but any basic color will do.
6. Jeans.  These are not your garden variety work in the garden jeans.  These are jeans that fit you like a glove and make you look and feel like a million bucks!

You can mix and match these items with some of your inexpensive and trendy clothes and give them a whole different look.  Classic don’t have to be boring, after all.   And as your budget expands, and your personal style evolves, these essential are the basis from which your wardrobe will grow.

Did I miss anything?  What do you think are the core essentials for building a wardrobe.

Photo credit: Armani from Neiman Marcus

Post from: The List Maven

I’ve got two of the hottest new products around sitting right here in front of me, and holy smokes I can’t wait to share! The best part? I get to give away a set to a lucky reader!

First, awards season is approaching us (and the swanky holiday party season is HERE) and this is probably the coolest kit I’ve ever seen. The Melissa Rivers Red Carpet Ready Kit, provides you with some of the best products from Fashion Forms that were designed to keep you looking and feeling your best. No more unsightly bra straps, readjusting or tugging to keep your outfit in order, you can now rest assured that your attire is in place and perfect throughout the duration of your night. This fabulous kit and must-have for any occasion comes packaged in a beautiful fashion forward clutch purse and includes:

• Dress & Lingerie Tape with Dispenser – This easy to apply double sided tape is not only transparent, it is guaranteed to hold even the most daring dresses and tops in place.
• Ultimate Silicone Gel Petals (with travel case) – These extremely soft and now REUSEABLE gel petals provide you with a smooth look with or without your bra. Easy to apply and even easier to remove, these petals can be worn up to 25 times!
• One Size Adhesive Bra – This reusable adhesive bra, provides the support and coverage you need without all the straps. This one-size wonder can be cut to your perfect size (A-DD).
• Strap Tamers – At last, the easiest and most effective way to stop falling bra straps. These bra concealers, made from high tech durable plastic and stainless steel, are ideal for everything from wedding gowns to active wear and sleeveless.

You can buy the Melissa Rivers Red Carpet Ready Kit at every major department store including Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Neiman’s, Nordstrom and online at Fashion Forms.

Next up, is this unbelievable innovation in handbags: The Miche Bag. The set I received has three shells, plus the base bag. Yes, I said “shells” – this bag is meant to save you time and hassle, as well as be fashionable and fabulous!

It’s so fantastic… I can’t say enough how much I adore this! You have one base bag, and the shells attach and remove magnetically, so you can change your style up whenever you need to, without having to move your stuff to another purse! I’ve got the shiny black shell for when I need to be basic yet fabulous, the bright yellow shell (as seen at left) for when I’m feeling fun and frisky, and a really great fuschia shell to go with me when I’m feeling girly. There are some really great other ones, including this giraffe print/red one… I’m SO buying that one to use as my “power” bag!

Available nationwide, the Miche Bag base retails for $29.99 and each shell is $19.95.

So here we are with another giveaway, this one ends on Monday, December 22, 2008. To enter, you must be a resident of the USA, and leave a comment below! Winner will be drawn at random at noon on Monday (Eastern Time). One winner, BOTH products!

Post from: The List Maven

The cool thing about gifts and accessories from Avenue is that they’re great for any woman of any size, so without further ado, a list of great little gifts that won’t break the bank.

Body Cream Gift Set – $5

Fancy Teardrop Earrings – $6.50

Gem Studded Bangle Set – $4.99

Multi-Colored Bangles – $4.99

Perfume Compact – $5

Ribbed Plaid Muffler Scarf – $14.50

Snake Embossed Clutch – $10

Turn Lock Rouched Clutch – $14.50

You can shop NOW for these items and many more at Avenue.Com and have everything at your door by the holidays!

(images: Avenue.com)

Post from: The List Maven

SHOPPING

NY Spender suggests that “if you buy only one pair of shoes this fall, buy one with stacked heels.“

Her Accessories is celebrating the cooler weather with a roundup of her favorite fall jackets.

Gleaming Things loves Givenchy’s look of layered chains, but they just aren’t in the budget right now – these picks are though!

Shopalicious finds a very stylish quilted handbag — with an eco-friendly twist! (Plus a coupon for 10% off!)

Chic by Nature has a great wrap top that you can wear out and then to bed.

There’s some serious inspiration afloat over at All That & a with more inspiration-themed jewelry.

FASHION

Sasha of Style Manila creates a boho-look on an 11-year old named Sylvie.

Tops 2 Bottoms shares an style idea, Layered, Belted, and Plaid for her weekly Work Wear Monday series.

Viva Woman shows you how corsages can make your attire more feminine and romantic.

Style…a work in progress finds inspiration in a little bear called Paddington

Petite Fashionista shows you how to update your Fall wardrobe with pieces that will keep you; comfy, cozy and chic!

The Space Between My Peers categorizes the looks at the bottom of the formality scale into Three Levels of Leisure.

BEAUTY

Beauty Bento Box features the elegantly packaged, eyeliner-slash-eyeshadow Kohl cosmetic, Guerlain Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl Liner.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to get an easy, elegant smoky eye with the Smoky Eye Quad from Chanel.

My Women Stuff discusses whetherSilicone is good or bad for the skin.

Krizia from Beauty Match declares: We tried Pro-V Restoratives and said bye-bye FRIZZ!.

Beauty and Fashion Tech looks at three bright handbags that look more expensive than they are”.

Post from: The List Maven