50 ways to build your wardrobe

Tag : Polyester Denim

Outfits using key pieces
Even more outfits
When it comes to starting a new career, upgrading to a differentjob or returning to the office after years of working at home,building a wardrobe can be daunting.
But it's surprising how many looks you can squeeze out of a limitednumber of items. The best dressers don't necessarily have closetsthe size of your bedroom. The best dressers are adept at mixing asmall number of items to create a seemingly endless array of newlooks.
For this article, we used only two dresses, four pairs of pants andone skirt (one for each day of the week) as the foundation for asummer wardrobe ripe with options for work, weekends and cocktails.And every piece, except maybe the white pants, will transition wellinto fall with an added layer for warmth.
To build a wardrobe, start with a budget. We didn't want to limitourselves so you'll notice that we mixed it up with an $8 dressfrom a local thrift store and a $490 purse from a boutique. Maybeyou'll find an $80 dress that you love and a $20 purse.
When it comes to knowing where to splurge, we suggest that your bigticket items be the most versatile. It's OK to spend $200 on akiller pair of jeans. Choose a darker wash without the fadeddetails so that you can pair them with a jacket for the office or asequin tank for a night out. Trouser jeans are best because theyhave a formal fit but are casual chic.
If you do spend a large amount on one item, look around for lessexpensive but high quality items elsewhere to balance your budget.The $8 red dress we found at a local thrift store was a real find.It looks great alone or belted and is light enough to wear under avariety of tops for a slew of sophisticated looks with a pop ofcolor.
Speaking of color, a limited wardrobe doesn't have to be bland.Color scares people, but it's one of the best ways to dazzle andcreate signature looks.
Your colors don't have to be as vibrant as the primary colors thatwe've chosen here, but we hope you'll realize that you can wear ared dress once a week and look different every time.
We were able to create a month's worth of looks, and we found waysto use every item at least four times (once a week). You shouldstrive to find at least three different ways to wear everything youown.
Sometimes, fashioning a new look is as easy as changing theaccessories. You'll notice that we invested heavily in belts. Itcan be the catalyst for jazzing up any look from cocktail tostadium attire. Creating or accentuating a waist benefits mostfigures. Wider waists might need a thinner belt and a fuller skirtto pull off the look.
You'll also notice that there's no black handbag in our wardrobe.Why? Well, you probably already own one, and who says you can'twear purple suede with everything? OK, maybe not everything, butcertainly more than you think.
Now, it's time to go forth and mix. We've compiled 11 looks here,you can find a slideshow of the rest online atwww.stltoday.com/mds/lifestyle/html/1717.
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Where we shopped: - Macy's (LINK)
- Mark Shale (LINK)
- A thrift store
- Local boutiques
- T.J. Maxx
- Target stores (LINK)
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Tops
T1 - Tunic-length, white button-up with detachable belt ($64) atMacy's (Great length for layering or tucking)
T2 - Yellow chiffon ruffle top with matching tank ($16.99) at TJMaxx (Pretty top, good price and on trend)
T3 - Lightweight, short-sleeve black turtleneck ($15.99) at TJ Maxx(Classic piece that matches everything)
T4 - Alice + Olivia black cap-sleeve top ($178) at Mark Shale, St.Louis Galleria (Unexpected detail on sleeves shows flair)
T5 - Green heart-print silk chiffon top by Bizz ($53) at MaryJane's (It's girly and professional)
T6 - White crinkle fabric button-up ($20) at Clubhouse Shop (If youfind a basic top that's well preserved at a thrift shop, buy it)
T7 - Sleeveless black and white babydoll tunic by Eci ($58) at MarkShale (great silhouette for all shapes and sizes)
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Jackets
J1 - Dark pink linen, double-breasted with bell sleeves ($44.99) atTarget
J2 - Michael by Michael Kors white safari jacket ($169.50) atMacy's
J3 - Claud cropped double-breasted "luxe denim" cotton andpolyester suit jacket ($298) at Mark Shale
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Dresses
D1 - Red sheath dress ($8) at Clubhouse Shop (Simple style, greatcolor, very classic)
D2 - Green sleeveless Calvin Klein dress ($128) at Macy's(Stand-out color, but not overbearing)
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Skirt
SK1 - Graphic black and white skirt ($19.99) at TJ Maxx (Willcomplement every color in the rainbow)
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Shoes
S1 - Michael by Michael Kors ($109) at Macy's
S2 - Tahari black patent sling pump ($39.99) at TJ Maxx
S3 - Anne Klein red pump ($39.99) at TJ Maxx
S4 - Latitude Femme deep peach wedge ($129.99) at TJ Maxx
S5 - Gladiator Michael Kors sandal ($149) at Macy's
S6 - White peep toe pump with faux snake ($115) at Mary Jane's
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Pants
P1 - McKenzie trouser jeans ($223) at Mary Jane's
P2 - Anne Klein white stretch cotton slacks ($99) at Macy's
P3 - Black bermuda shorts by Issac Mizrahi ($24.99) at Target
P4 - Claud black "luxe denim" cotton and polyester slacks ($168) atMark Shale
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Belts
B1 - Wide black stretch ($38) at Macy's
B2 - Medium width purple suede ($2) at Clubhouse Shop
B3 - Skinny yellow patent leather ($68) at Mark Shale
B4 - Cynthia Rowley skinny black and white patent leather ($38) atMark Shale
B5 - Reversible black or white ($38) at Macy's
B6 - Skinny red suede ($1) at Clubhouse Shop
B7 - Medium width brown faux snake ($12.99) at TJ Maxx
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Handbags
H1 - Brown leather ($129) at TJ Maxx
H2 - Yellow fabric and white patent ($99) at Macy's
H3 - Nine West orange faux croc clutch ($69) at Macy's
H4 - Purple suede by Tylie Malibu ($490) at City Chic
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Accessories
A1 - Noir multiband CZ ring ($99) at Mary Jane's
A2 - Sheila Kayl gold leaf earrings ($95) at Mary Jane's
A3 - Amy Joy brass double necklace with black pendant ($85) at MaryJane's
A4 - White shell-like necklace ($5) at Clubhouse Shop
A5 - Kay Amato Designs clear dangle earrings ($38) at Mark Shale
A6 - Kay Amato Designs clear pendant necklace ($64) at Mark Shale
A7 - Anne Klein long chain charm necklace ($68) at Macy's
A8 - Black and gold pair of bangle bracelets by A.V. Max ($54 forboth) at Mark Shale
A9 - Fossil earrings in concentric silver hoops ($32) at Macy's
A10 - Alfani earring gold hoops and red stone ($28) at Macy's
A11 - Fossil bracelet ($32) at Macy's
A12 - Noir faux jade ($59) at Mary Jane's
A13 - Kenneth Cole bracelet, interlocking coin ($40) at Macy's
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8 sample outfits
- Color me casual: Outfit includes T2, P3, S5, B2, H4, A3
- Office hip: Outfit includes D2, B2, S2, H4
- Downtown black: Outfit includes T3, P1, H4, S1, A7, A15
- Cute casual: Outfit includes T7, P3, S5, H2
- Urban safari: Outfit includes J2, H1, S4, P2
- Can't go wrong red: Outfit includes D1, H1, S3, A6
- Citified romantic: Outfit includes T5, P1, H1, S4
- Ready for work: Outfit includes J1, SK1, T6, S2