HM STYLE | 5 Must Have Wardrobe Staples

I received an email from a reader asking me about what my five must-haves are. I really have to be honest and say that it is incredibly hard for me to pick just five but I have managed to do so. I believe these five pieces are the perfect bones to any wardrobe, well a glamorous one. Enjoy.

The Little Black Dress

I suggest this Hervé Léger Scoop back bandage dress. It is definitely an investment as you can wear it to work, a party, or even a funeral. Dress it up with heels dress it down with ballet flats. I personally wear all of my little black dresses with big bold statement making jewelry and shoes. Like Coco Chanel said, once you find the perfect little black dress, there is nothing you will want to wear in it's place.

White Jeans

Forget that dated rule of no white after Labor day. White is in fact a great alternative to black and looks fabulous when paired with any color. White jeans look crisp and sharp no matter what time of year. as far as shoes go pair them with either a natural color pump or if you're going for a more dressy look, gold heels are in call. Jeans featured are J Brand.

Gold Heels

Gold heels go with everything. From your party dresses, to jeans to lingerie. I personally like a very high heel but gold kitten heels also look very chic. Jimmy Choo Flynn sandals are just fantastically sexy.

Chain Link Bag

Chainlink is lady like and classy. Two things that describe us. I would go with either a camel or black for starters then buy some fun styles like the Miu Miu stage bag and the bright pink Marc Jacobs style we have featured in the past. The featured bag is by Lanvin and it is in fact, golden.

Classic Coat

If there is one thing you should spend on, it should be your coat. Stick to sophisticated black or camel and even charcoal is great. Coats that hit right under the knee are the most versatile and make sure it's warm and cozy. I stay away from shearling, I think it looks horrid. The coat featured is by Stella McCartney.

Copyright ©2009 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

A Fashionistas’s Guide to Effortless Chic By Stylist Gabrielle Teare

Nothing to Wear? Does your heart sink when you open your wardrobe? Where is that hot pink Ungaro dress? In order to get the most out of your wardrobe the first step is to know what is in it. Amongst the unworn and the unloved will be great clothes if only you could find them.

Declutter

We wear only 20% of what we buy. This is a staggering waste of money, and means that we can’t find the great LBD when we need it. Wardrobes need tough love, throw out anything you have never worn or that does not fit or suit you. If you can’t face this alone use a Personal Stylist to help you.

Sort by Category

Long dresses, short dresses, skirts, trousers etc. Then sort by colour. This makes life easy, rather than scrabbling through random items, we can then find the pencil skirt in one minute. Get rid of anything that is not in your colour palette. The wrong colour will drain you colours should lift your skin and your spirit! Your clothes should all colour co-ordinate with each other so finding tops to go with skirts becomes simplicity itself.

Discard The Unfashionable

Trends change. The quickest way to update your wardrobe is to buy new shoes. Dated shoes and clothes will date you so bin them. If you keep things hoping that they come back into fashion they may then not be age appropriate.

Why are you keeping clothes you don’t like?

When I do a Wardrobe Management, so many women have clothes that they do not even like in their wardrobes. The usual reason for keeping them is because they were expensive or a statement designer piece. Sell them, and make a vow to only buy clothes that you love. Clothes that make your heart sing!

Does it Fit You?

“This is for when I lose weight.” or “I might get pregnant again.” Have a wardrobe of clothes that you can wear now. If you lose a lot of weight studies show that one of the ways to keep it off is to get rid of your old wardrobe. This is a massive financial and motivational incentive. When you do lose weight chances are it will be out of fashion. Likewise throw away shoes that hurt. However expensive, shoes that you cannot wear have no place in your wardrobe. Never buy shoes that you love in a size smaller hoping they will stretch, they won’t they will just give you blisters!

What is your lifestyle?

Many women have lots of work clothes but few casual clothes and vice versa. Think about the percentage of clothes you have and it will show you where you are lack items. Perhaps you have only trouser suits for work. One of my clients had only pin- striped suits. There are many other styles to choose that would create a more varied wardrobe. Sweater dresses look great they don’t have to be short. Wear a skirt suit. It sounds obvious but so many women don’t have one. You can be professional and feminine. This is a devastating advantage, use it.

Does the style suit me?

Have a Style Consult. If you keep buying clothes that you never wear probably they do not suit your colouring or body shape. The advice you receive will save you money in the long term as you can wear all of your wardrobe.

Jet Set with Lily Lily Boutique

Luxury to me is having something that no one else has. It's hard to find that special piece amid today's mass marketed boutiques, that is why the new boutique Lily Lily has become a new favorite of Haute Mimi for classic pieces that are far from the ordinary but still amazingly sophisticated and chic.
Lily Lily, is owned by well, Lily. A fashionista who looks far and wide for unique and exotic items that scream world traveler from new exciting designers with a fresh take on fashion.

Lily Lily is known for it's international flair. With pieces from around the world you're bound to look like a global goddess in your new outfit from Lily Lily. My recent favorite from the boutique is this gold suede foil dress that is just so modern, fabulous and ultra flattering. Add a splash of Lily to your wardrobe divas and prepare to look fabulous.

Wardrobe Help For Men

How many times have you gone shopping and walked out empty handed? It happens to the best of us. To build a wardrobe that suits your lifestyle, you must first figure out your lifestyle needs. Active wear, business attire, or causal wear? Which one are you focusing on when shopping? Once you're armed with a direction, you have to know your wants as well as your needs. Two things to keep in mind are, how the new garment will work with items already in your wardrobe, and also the fit of the garment.

Purchasing solid colored items always works well with what you currently have. A new black belt and shoes would spruce up your already amazing look. Classic pieces like button down cardigans and layering pieces also work. Acquiring accessories is also a great way to add color and have fun with shopping.

By far, the most important aspect to shopping is the fit of the garment. The fit determines if the garment is right for you. You can take a pair of trousers found at Banana Republic and turn them into Gucci atelier with a trip to your tailor. Find a good tailor, all the great dressers in history had a personal tailor, so why not you? Who would not want clothes that accentuate your assets? Also, you have to know your body. Dress your body with clothes that are the most flattering for you. Having garments fit properly gives you a certain level of confidence that makes you feel good about yourself (If you are in the New York or Los Angeles areas, click over to Stitched Tailors for their tailoring services).

Building a wardrobe is a lifetime endeavor. It will constantly change as you evolve through different stages of life. Remember to keep it simple and be appropriate. Your wardrobe should always reflect your unique personality and lifestyle.

-Chavo Killingsworth