Fashion

Wear to Where: Closet Essentials
01.04.12
Christian Dior once said: "Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest." The new year means a fresh start, so why not infuse your wardrobe with some zest? And, as it turns out, a beautiful and budget-friendly makeover can be done with ten items. Below are the simplest closet essentials that EVERY woman NEEDS in her closet.
1. It does not matter what you’re doing: pick up a coffee, going to a job interview or going out for a drink with your friends. A trench coat always makes sense. It is one of the most high-status pieces you can slip into. In an instant you are all set. It doesn’t matter what you wear underneath this wardrobe enhancer.
2. The pencil skirt is one of the few pieces that is uniquely feminine, while shirts, tailored jackets and pantsuits have been adapted from men’s clothing. The pencil skirt was created for the boardroom but easily can become everyday wear. It comes in many fabrics, looking best when falling just below the knees.
3. Shapewear is of course, the foundation of any successful outfit. It is all about highlighting your assets and controlling the rest. With the Invention of Spanx, one can control her curves while looking chic in the thinnest of jerseys and the shiniest of fabrics. When you have the right foundation, it will make you feel beautiful from the inside to the outside.
4. Cashmere is a fabric which can take many shapes in your closet. It allows you to feel and look luxurious, while also feeling comfortable. For most of history, cashmere has been reserved for royalty and the wealthy, but that has changed.
5. Black dresses have been around for centuries but fashionable black dresses really come into their own in the 14th Century. The add-on of “little” has been credited to the iconic designers, Chanel, Dior and Balenciaga. We cannot forget that the LBD developed out of necessity. As women become busier, they needed clothes that easily provided style and chicness.
6. In the world of fashion, the suit is a relatively new fashion item for women. Women have turned suits into power items. Suits highlight your figure with polish and an underlying sexuality.
7. All through history, women have delighted in decorating their feet. Women have worn ornate slippers, constrictive Victorian boots, and today’s coveted red-soled shoes. Every woman needs a pair of black heels in her closet. These always are perfect for most occasions. They add finish to any dressy outfit. Figure out which heel height works for you. A two-three inch heel with an almond shaped toe will elongate your leg, but keep you functional for both your work day and your night out.
8. Normally, you don’t keep a red lipstick in your cosmetics drawer but it now has become an essential. You’ll need to work with a lady at your favorite makeup counter in order to find the “right red” for you.
9. The white shirt is an iconic American piece of clothing. It easily moved from the boyfriend’s side of the closet and onto the woman’s back.
10. Jeans purchased in a chain store as well as designer jeans found in a high-end department store convey the same allure and promise of casual elegance. Today we have more denim options than ever before. There are more jean silhouettes to choose from ones which will flatter your particular body type. You can choose bootcuts, straight legs, skinny or trouser-type jeans.
Leslie Christen writes "Wear to Where" for pacific-creative.digital each week. She is the owner of Leslie Christen | LifeStyling a business that does personal shopping, fashion styling, closet edits and organization. For tips on What to Wear and Where to Buy view her website at www.LeslieChristen.com and contact her at Style@LeslieChristen.com.
Blog

Food Trucks Galore!
01.03.12
Hunting for food trucks is a snap at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. You have two opportunities a week to eat gourmet food truck fare until your stomach is content.
On Wednesday evenings, its Food Truck Fare After Dark from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and its Food Truck Fare Thursday for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All of your food cravings will be satisfied, from made to order crepes from Crepe Bonaparte to gourmet German bratwurst from Brats, and everything in between. The lineup changes weekly, so visit the website ocfair.com/ocf for an up to date list.
Trucks convene in Lot D (at Gate 4, off Arlington Drive) at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. Parking and admission are free. 714.708.1500.
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