Clothes make the man or woman, they say. Whether your wardrobe is straight off the fashion show runway or warrants a visit from the fashion police, looking stylish and put together is what everyone is aiming for. And how you select and care for your clothes would make a huge difference in the long run. Having a good sense of style doesn’t only mean having all the latest trendy items. You can still look good with a few set of wardrobes. It’s important to have a few well-made garments than a closet full of poorly made ones. You just have to own the basic pieces and a few critical accessories and you’re good to go. You can mix and match and get the most out of what you have.

little black dress

But first, what are the basics that should make up any woman’s wardrobe?
• A pair of jeans
• Black tank
• Long-sleeve white T-shirt
• Khakis
• White Button-down
• Black Pants
• Black suit
• LBD (little black dress)
• Lined Jacket or Blazer
• Scarf

Here are some tips on how to mix and match the basics with each other and other trends:

• A blank tank can be worn with almost everything from a gym class to casual outings and from khakis to a cocktail skirt.

• Choose a slim-fit T-shirt that fits well but does not cling. This shirt can be worn with a pair of denim jeans for casual wear or a pair of pinstriped pants in the office.

• A pair of blank pants can be worn all year long. So get the most out of these pants by selecting a style and make with an all-season fabric like tropical wool or viscose.

• When shopping for a denim jacket, always go for a darker wash. This will be an advantage as you can wear this in any type of occasion or event. A slimmer fit is also better because it looks more polished.

• White tees can be paired with a trendy jacket for casual dinners or night outs. Just accessorize with a string of pearls or chunky necklace. White tees can wear away quickly so give up on those designer versions and buy the cheaper ones, then replace as needed.

• Aside from the blacks and whites, navy blues and browns can easily be paired with numerous clothing and styles.

• When in doubt, always wear black. A black suit is perfect for the office but it can stretch until night time with a wide belt with funky buckle and heavier make-up. Change those pumps into stilettos and you can mesh well with other partyphile in the club scene.

• The little black dress worn with a blazer is ideal attire in the office. Come night time, the blazer comes off and is replaced with some accessories and you’re ready for a dinner date or a night out with the girls.

• Accessories play a big part in making the wardrobe. Cool earrings can transform a plain Jane. Invest in gold golf-sized hoops as they suit everyone. And please don’t wear over-the-top necklace with wild earrings together.

• A cotton scarf or kerchief tied around the neck and worn with a T-shirt makes for a French feel that works for all ages.
These are just some of the ways you can mix and match the basics to come up with numerous outfits. But like anything that works wonders, there is no shortcut to learning how to dress well. So have fun experimenting.