Happy Tuesday!  Continuing on with my Top 25 Wardrobe Essentials for every closet, this week’s post details items 11 through 15.  To refresh your memory, click on last week’s post, and also see the list of the FIRST TEN below.

1.)  Skinny Jeans
2.)  Diamond/Pearl Studs
3.)  Classic Pumps
4.)  Blazer
5.)  White Collared Button-Down
6.)  Pencil Skirt
7.)  Cardigan
8.)  Ballet Flats
9.)  Scarves
10.)  Watch

11.)  Silk Blouse – The feeling of silk on your skin, well there’s nothing like it.  Not only is it soft and cooling, but whenever I wear silk I feel so classy, feminine and sexy.  I’m so glad that the 70s trend brought silk blouses out of the back of our closets and in front of the spotlight again…let’s hope they’re here to stay.  Keep in mind that your silk blouse doesn’t have to be plain white.  Be adventurous and look for some styles in bright colors.  With spring fast approaching, pastels are all the rage, so check out some light pinks, blues and mint-colored silk blouses just in time for Easter.
Styled Here:  Style Wild, Winter White, Liz, Edge, Fluffy
My Favorite Brands:  ZARA, Vintage from my mom and aunt, NORDSTROM, ASOS, BLUEFLY
To be Worn:  WORK and PLAY

12.)  Dress Pants – No matter where you live and what weather you may encounter, a good pair of dress pants are an essential in your wardrobe.  Whether it be red dress pants paired with a silk blouse for an evening out, white wool pants paired with your favorite sweater for a day in cold weather, or a pair of black dress pants to wear to the office…dress pants are extremely versatile.  When buying dress pants make sure you don’t buy them too tight; dress pants were made to hug your figure but also drape to your foot.  You want to be able to wear your dress pants on any occasion and not worry about the appropriateness…in other words, these aren’t your black, tight, bar pants worn in college.  Also, look at the tags to see whether they are dry-clean or not (dress pants usually are) and I always check to ensure the pants are lined.  This ensures they are good quality and should last you quite a bit of outfit changes through the years.
Styled Here:  Yurman, Reverse, Urban Jungle, Tory Burch
My Favorite Brands: ANN TAYLOR LOFT, WHBM, VICTORIA’S SECRET, EXPRESS, RALPH LAUREN
To be Worn: WORK, DAY and PLAY

13.)  Clutch – Ah, the escape on the weekend from not having to carry a shoulder bag…the clutch!  Easily grasped in your hand, slipped around your wrist, or tucked under your arm, the clutch is one of my favorite types of handbags, but sometimes the best clutch can be hard to find.  This all depends on what you are looking for in a clutch…What do you want to fit in your clutch?  How do you want to carry it?  What do you want to style it with?  Clutches can cost anywhere from $10 US dollars to $3,000 US dollars or more, so there are plenty of options out there…you just have to decide what works for you.  Something I always look for in a clutch is a neutral color – usually black, gray, brown or beige.  But having a BOLD-COLORED clutch is fun and always adds color to an otherwise basic outfit, as seen here.  What about the quality of the clutch – the stitching, the leather, the fabric?  Make sure you focus on the quality – a leather clutch is a great choice to be styled all-year-round.  Versatility of the clutch is also super important!  Can you pair it with jeans and a T-shirt for a date to the movies, but also bring it along with your black dress to a cocktail party?  Whatever clutch you choose, make sure you enjoy it and don’t let it sit around waiting for a rainy day.  Bring it out to PLAY!
Styled Here:  D&G, Tropical, Camuto, Palm Trees, Cab
My Favorite Brands:  MICHAEL KORS, WHBM, COACH, of course CHANEL
To be Worn:  PLAY

14.)  Belts – As stated in this post, belts are the most underrated of accessories.  What other accessory has the ability to dress up an old coat, add bling to your favorite dress, transition jeans from day to night, bring professionalism and class to an old work suit, all the while cinching and showing off your waistline?  No other than a good belt!  As stated before, many of the belts in my collection are vintage given down from my mom and aunt, however, some shops I have listed below have become my go-to favorites for this necessary leather wardrobe essential.  Keep in mind, flea-markets and vintage shops can be a great source for finding the perfect, good quality, old leather belt.  They sure don’t make them like they used to!
Styled Here:  Buckled Up, Bangles, Kors, Window Shopping, Tea, Hibernation
My Favorite Brands: BRIGHTON, J. CREW, Vintage from my mom and aunt
To be Worn: WORK, DAY and PLAY

15.)  Riding Boots – They’re stylish, they’re casual, they’re classic and most importantly they’re comfy…I love riding boots!  Everyone needs to have a pair of these!  You can slip them under a dress, slip them over your jeans, wear them with tights, socks, shorts and coats – riding boots are perfect for day or night.  Some of my favorite brands are listed below.  Make sure when you are shopping, you try them on with socks to ensure the fit is right.  Also it’s a good idea to bring some little peds if you intend to wear them with tights or without socks (although not recommended)…hey, they aren’t UGGs after all, ha!
Styled Here:  Willow, Stripes, Santa, Buckled Up
My Favorite Brands:  STEVE MADDEN, FRYE, RALPH LAUREN, DONALD PLINER
To be Worn:  DAY and PLAY

Thanks so much for reading along.  Next week…16-20!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!