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How to Build a Wardrobe Without Breaking the Bank

As much as I adore spending time in New York, and especially seeing all the fabulous fashions in store for spring, it is good to be back home. A week of too-ing and fro-ing through Bryant Park and about the town has left this twirty girl a bit wilted, but no worse for the wear. Surviving Fashion Week is a bit like competing in a marathon: it takes commitment, hours of training, unbelievable endurance and seriously stylish yet wearable footwear!

Anyhoo, I'm back in the city by the Bay, fully prepared to enjoy those crystal clear crisp days of Indian Summer. Well, perhaps not fully prepared. It seems that I have neglected one teeny tiny detail. Somehow or other I find my closet filled to the brim with flirty sundresses, sassy skirts, adorable capris and crops, espadrilles and sandals. Which would be a good thing if summer were to continue for another two or three months. However, if the brisk morning air is anything to go by, I had better get serious about my fall wardrobe post-haste! Luckily, I have done the research, scouted the sources and cleared any serious purchases with Shop Girl (my go-to source for au courant fashion vetting), so it is just a matter of a cozy little evening at my computer and my favorite online fashion sites.

There is nothing quite like the anticipation of putting together a truly great fall wardrobe to give me a real fashion buzz. However, since I am a working girl with a car payment (and skyrocketing fuel prices) and a mortgage (in a somewhat skittery economy), and I don't currently have a money tree growing on my terrace (what I would give for that kind of green thumb!), I do find it prudent to set a budget (as painful as it may be) when acquiring said fall wardrobe. In other words, this twirty girl loves to find a great deal on the latest styles as much as any girl! But how does one go about building an entire fall wardrobe without running up debt and resorting to selling one's blood in order to put food on the table? The key here darling girls, is planning. Start with the basics and follow a few tried-and-true rules in order to get the most out of your wardrobe.

Tried & True Rules:

• Quality over quantity. It is much better to have one really great quality fall coat than several trendy but inferior imposters. However, this doesn't mean that you need to break the bank. Buy the best quality that you can afford.
• Key pieces. An excellent blazer. Really amazing designer jeans. A pair of classic black wool trousers. A timeless handbag. This is where the majority of your wardrobe budget will go — to really good quality key pieces which you can then build your wardrobe around.
• Mix and Match. Purchase only pieces that can be mixed and matched with those stylish and timeless staples already in your possession. This opens up limitless wardrobe combinations and actually extends your style into the realm of "I don't believe she has ever worn the same thing twice!"
• If you buy it, wear it. Are you one of those girls guilty of having that one truly gorgeous cashmere sweater folded lovingly between sheets of tissue paper…lying on a shelf in your closet with the tags still on? Or those exquisite Christian Louboutin 's still in their box? Much better for your girlfriends to see you actually carrying that fabulous Kooba tote than simply to brag about it, still in its dust bag in your closet.

Wardrobe Basics:

• Blazer. A great place to begin is with the quintessential blazer. This is a classic and timeless wardrobe item, and has the unique ability of being able to dress an outfit up or down, depending upon the occasion. That would make this a wardrobe staple, and therefore one of those higher-end budget items. These can run the gamut in price, so my suggestion is to stick with a designer or boutique that you trust, look for natural fabrics (wool blends, pure wool, cashmere and linen). Opt for a classic color, like black, navy or charcoal. Look for a structured and well tailored blazer, with exquisite seams and stitching. If you have a great jacket on hand, you will be prepared for most any situation that comes your way.
• Blouse. A lovely (and versatile) blouse will go a long way. Which is why you will want/need a few different styles. A good starting point: a sassy short sleeve, a chic sleeveless shell, and something elegant and floaty.
• Tailored trouser. These three classic styles are great building blocks: Dark pinstriped flares (super-hot runway chic), charcoal straight legs (grey is the new black) and casual trousers. Be sure to find the right trouser for your body type — fit makes all the difference, girls. A good basic style trouser is one that skims across your hips and falls straight to just 1/4" above the floor, with your heels on. Make sure there is no unsightly bulging or visible panty line!
• Updated denim. Fitted designer jeans are a terrific booty boost, and they go a long way to giving a girl just the right attitude. Nothing says saucy like sexy new 7's! Perfect year-round, either casual with a flirty top and platform sandals or über-chic with high-heel boots and a fitted blazer.
• Little Black Dress. The most chic of staple items. If you haven't found your perfect LBD yet, get thee to a dress boutique! Follow the LBD guidelines: great cut, timeless design, excellent quality. It should never be trendy or dated, but should blend seamlessly with the current styles. A top quality designer LBD is really an investment, not just a purchase — it will quickly become one of your most basic wardrobe staples.
• This fall's hot, trendy must-have? The sweater dress. Looks particularly fetching when paired with opaque tights and knee boots. A sure-fire hit!
• Skirts. A classic A-line skirt that hits just at or barely above the knee is absolutely classic. It looks elegant when paired with a demure sweater, or uber-chic when worn with a silk blouse. Also, a timeless denim skirt is a go-to staple for fall.
• Footwear. Another one of those higher-end budget items, the right shoes. Must-have basics: This season, look for shoes with a pointed toe, (spectators are always a great classic) as they will help to elongate your legs to give you an overall lean, sexy, more feminine look. A pair of black sling backs is a great shoe staple, as they can easily and stylishly make the transition from work to evening. For casual wear, snap up a pair of sassy patent flats. Finally, one of the most versatile of all footwear choices is a great pair of leather knee-high boots. My personal choice for the season is this mid-height stacked heel leather boot. They can be worn with everything from dresses and skirts to trousers and jeans. Perfect!
• Accessories. As every fashionista worth her Fendi knows, accessories make the ensemble. Different circumstances call for different versions of the perfect handbag, but here are the essentials: One for basic work use, something fun for everyday casual and one for an evening on the town. Also, be on the lookout for a sexy pair of sunglasses to polish off your look while the sun still shines.

Well, darling girls, I don't know about you but I am going to get cracking on this little endeavor. With a little luck and FedEx I'll have my new essentials hanging in my closet before the first raindrop falls. Happy shopping darlings!

xoxo,

She She Me

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