You know how everyone always posts about the 10 essentials you must have, and they’re always something along the lines of:
- White button-up t-shirt
- Black dress
- Black blazer
- Dark rinse straight or bootcut jeans
- White t-shirt
- Ballet flats
- Cashmere Sweater
- Cropped Pants
- Black Pumps
- Wrap dress
???
Well here is my list for 10 UNCOMMON essentials you never thought you would need in a wardrobe, but desperately do.
1. Sneakers that aren’t running shoes
You know what I’m talking about.
These are fashion sneakers, not the kind that you pull on to go running or wear to the gym (those by the way, are only appropriate for working out and are NOT, I repeat, NOT work appropriate).
When I say fashion sneakers, I also don’t mean high-top sneakers or platform ones. I mean that they’re trainers / sneakers, but not meant for working out.
Brands include: Converse, Bensimon (all the cool French girls wear them) and Superga
2. Super soft pullover or zip-up hoodie
In a rich, luxurious fabric like cashmere you just can’t beat this option.
Or even if you don’t buy it in cashmere, having it in a super soft cotton that makes you want to cuddle up in it and never take it off, it’s worth the extra $20 you normally otherwise wouldn’t spend.
Let’s face it, even if you own a ton of hoodies, you only really reach for one or two right?
Simons has some great supersoft (rather stylish) hoodies, and Lululemon is also a nice place to go for a stylish, chic staple.
3. Moto sweater jackets
You’ve heard of moto leather jackets, sweaters and regular jackets, but you are probably missing my all-time favourite wardrobe staple — the moto SWEATER jacket.
It looks cool without being too tough (not in leather), it’s a sweater so it’s comfortable, and it’s a jacket so it kind of acts like an alternative blazer even for the office (a business casual dress code lets you get away with such things).
4. Striped Pencil Skirt
Forget boring black pencil skirts, striped pencil skirts are the way to go. Not only are they neutral and stylish, they are timeless and the shape means they’ll never, I repeat, NEVER go out of style.
5. Pointed flats
Ballet flats are usually round-toe things, and I find that they can veer towards being a little casual just because of the toe shape. If you want something that looks a little dressier without sacrificing on comfort, may I direct you to its pointed cousin?
6. Sweater dress
The one thing you don’t want to do in buying a sweater dress, is to buy it too tight. Buy it one size up so that it skims your body and it is a ridiculously comfortable piece of clothing to wear even to the office (business casual) with a jacket over it.
You can dress it up with heels, or dress it down and pair it with opaque tights and some biker boots.
Also, they’re fab for when you’re pregnant, as they stretch with you as your body expands.
7. Loose shawl topper
No collar, no lapels, just a loose shawl lapel in either a soft sweater or jersey combination. I like the look of loose shawl toppers because they’re work appropriate but also great to dress up or down. The fabric will also dictate how casual it is — the less soft and cuddly it is (and less sweater-like), the more formal it becomes.
8. White blazer
Black blazers need a white blazer counterpart too! White blazers might seem difficult to wear but … they go with everything in your wardrobe, even with outfits that are all white (no one does the matching whites thing any more, anyway).
Look for interesting details like a tipped lapel or in a luxurious fabrication.
9. Knee-high heeled boots
Knee-high, heeled kitten boots are fantastic. I can wear them in a higher heel than I would normally have heels for (3″) and they STAY ON MY FEET because it’s a knee-high boot.
You throw them on and it instantly elevates any outfit to “work appropriate” or “dressy”, then the rest of your outfit (a suit, or a sweater) will dictate how casual or formal you turn it up or down.
10. Short boots
Last but not least and still on my list to be purchased are a pair of short boots. I am not sure what style I want — sleek & chic or rugged and bikerly, but I am MISSING THESE and I want a pair badly, I just haven’t found the ones.
Brands that have great short boots include Isabel Marant, Rag & Bone, Josef Seibel and practically any shoe store these days (what can I say, I’m picky).
