The bones of your wardrobe are those essential staples that go with almost anything, never go out of style, and are endearingly chic… These ten staples transcend time, trends, and travel. They can go from day to night, season to season, and they can still be worn five years from now.

- Nina Garcia

♥ A Trench Coat

The best part of the trench coat is that it makes you instantly mysterious. Wear it with big sunglasses if you want to really channel your inner detective, spy, or fugitive.

Ben Sherman Trench (available at Liv by Au Lit)

♥ The Little Black Dress

The little black dress is the dress that is going to let you shine—it is going to flatter you, but it is not going to detract from the rest of you.

Gentel Fawn Dress (available at Liv by Au Lit)

♥ A Classic Men’s Shirt

The classic white shirt is as key to American style as blue jeans. It is chic and simple. Practical and unpretentious.

American Vintage Shirt ( available at Liv by Au Lit)

♥ Cashmere Cardigan or Turtleneck

In all kinds of weather and for any kind of occasion, throwing on cashmere makes you feel instantly luxe.

Left of Houston Cardi ( available at Liv by Au Lit)

♥ Denim

There is something about jeans that gives a girl an aura of instant style.

AG Jeans (available at Liv by Au Lit)

♥ A Man’s Classic Watch

Women’s watches tend to change according to trends, but a classic men’s watch is timeless and looks great on a woman’s wrist.

Jak & Jil photo

♥ Diamonds

You can’t go wrong here.Big girls need big diamonds.

Tiffany&Co Diamonds

♥ Ballet Flats

There are a few moments when you have to give your heels the boot in the name of practicality or shopping strategy.

Christian Louboutin Flats

♥ A Classic High-Heel Pump

The red stille wil get more attention, but the black pump will let the other pieces of your outfit speak, which is sometimes just what you need from a shoe

Christian Louboutin Pumps

♥ A Great Bag

Like a shoe, you should have at least one bag that will go with your anywhere.

Rebecca Minkoff Handbags (available at Liv by Au Lit)

OWN THEM. HAVE THEM, LOVE THEM. THIS IS YOUR FOUNDATION: YOUR LOOK IS BUILT UPON THIS LIST.

More amazing ideas and strategies can be found in Ninca Gacria’s ” Little Black Book of Style” and ” The Style Strategy” (both available at Liv by Au Lit.)

Until the next post… toodles!

- xo, Joanna

Joanna Goodman is Co-Owner and Creative Director of LIV by Au Lit and Au Lit Fine Linens. Joanna is also an accomplished author.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 21st, 2010 at 10:42 pm and is filed under LIV by Au Lit, Must Haves. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.