This is the second edition of the “basics” pieces. This is a work wardrobe “basics” for those of you that have to dress semi-professional. I remember when I had a 9-5 job just rolling out of bed and throwing on one of two pairs of slacks that I had until I finally perfected my “basics” pieces. This selection will keep you looking chic without too much work. Also I love black if you can tell I think using solid colors makes it easier to wear clothes several times a week without it looking like it! Anyway hope this helps! I would love feed back. Also remember that once you have a basic casual wardrobe and your work wardrobe you can mix these and create even more outfits.
Tip: Black and solid colors are great for looking chic and camouflaging your small wardrobe!
1) Tops- Black Collared shirt (I opted for a chiffon silk mix to make it a bit more stylish), plain black shirt, white collared shirt, Cardigan, blazer, Some type of knit!
2) Bottoms: Black slacks (I opted for high-waisted black flares because they look chic), pencil skirt (this is a classic so I added a modern and trendy twist by making it leather), Circle skirt, black work dress.
3) Shoes: Classic pump, Flat, and your special stylish shoe. I would choose black shoes because they go well with everything.
4) Accessories: A statement necklace (or 3 these are perfect for dressing up your work wardrobe), bangles, oversized watch, cocktail ring, hanging earrings.
Sample outfits:
I always read in magazines or style books that you must have “basic” pieces to build your wardrobe around. Now for me this makes sense but I have actually gotten a few requests from people to do a post about basics. Although most style books do a general basics for everyone, these basics can alter a bit depending on your age, occupation and personal style.
I have put down the basics that work for me: a 20 something neo-hippie-student who has random outings. I will follow this up tommorrow with a “work wardrobe basics” and if any of you like I can do something for those of my older and wiser readers! Let me know what you think. * Keep in mind that these are my basics you can alter it depending on your style but its the same basic principles.
Summer Basics
1. The Top: Black shirt, Tank top, Breton Stripe shirt.
2. The Cover ups: Leather Jacket, Trench Coat, Knit Jumper
3) The Bottoms: Shorts, Jeans (skinnies or flares), Skirt (Maxi or short), Clear Black stockings ( to put under dresses and shorts).
4) The Dresses: Black Going out dress (that doubles as a semi-formal dress for dinner), Summer dress that you can also dress up.
5) Black high heels (good for dressing up jeans too), Cute Sandals, Brogues or Sneakers (for something a litle more casual)
6) Bags: Evening bag or cluctch, boho everyday bag
7) Accessories: Large Cocktail Ring, Long earrings, Long necklace, Friendship bracelets, Gold Watch
Here are some of the ways to put the looks together. The way the “basics” works is that you can virtually mix and match every piece and it will look good and from these basics you can slowly add other pieces.
Here are some examples of ways to put these together mind you I didn’t show the black shirts with all the bottoms which always looks great!
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I love cutting my old jeans into shorts and I always get questions about how to do cut-off shorts. I have never done a tutorial because I thought it was really simple but I have gotten several questions about it so here it goes. I am focusing on the nasty gal shorts but the first steps are really the same for all shorts!
Supplies:
1 x pair of jeans that are one or two sizes larger (for NastyGal style I used Levis 501)
1x good pair of scissors that can cut through fabric
8x cups of bleach (optional)
Washer & Dryer
1.) Pick a pair of jeans that you would like to cut. I always choose pants that are a size or two larger than my normal size because I dont want it to be so tight around my thighs!
2) Use a pair of shorts that you already have whose length you like and match the crotch of those shorts with the pants. Then use a ruler (or a book) and a pen to mark a line going accross. After you have made this line cut across. Try on the shorts to see if they are short enough if they look a bit wierd they probably need to be shorter (who wears short shorts?). I also cut about 1 inch slits on the side of the shorts so that they don’t stick to my thighs.
3) Now for the NastyGal Inspiration. I marked lines where I wanted to cut slits but you can mark more or less. Do this on the front and back. I used a permanenet marker because it is going to be fringed away anyway.
4) Now you are ready to fringe! Take the end of the scissors with your right hand and hold the shorts tightly upwards with your left (the hand holding the scissors should pull the other end). Now scratch along roughly with the scissors. You will start too see the fabric shaving off.
5) It should look like this
6) Once it does Rip this with your hands along the line that you had drawn.
7) It should look like this. You can rip it longer or more. After you are done you can wash them and dry them (this makes the fringe come out).
If you want to change the wash (color) follow step 8
8) *I wanted mine to be a lighter wash so I left mine in bleach for a couple of hours i put about 8 cups of bleach and enough water to submerge them. Levis 501′s are already treated so it takes a long time to change the color. I would leave them in bleach for 5 minutes then let them hang for 30 min and repeat this until you achieve your desired color.
This is the finished product. Nasty Gal’s have really big long and symmetrical slits in the front which I will cotinue to do to mine. They are also about 1 in shorter so if you want them like that make sure to add more slits and cut them shorter. You could also try doing them at an angle (from the crocth upwards). What do you think?
I find this tutorial by apairandaspare so helpful! Sometimes its good to just look at it!
