the sunday brief | back to basics | bottoms

last week, we started a series called back to the basics that discusses building a wardrobe with core essentials, or as i like to call them, the basics. remember, every successful wardrobe is built on a strong foundation, and often, some pre-work is necessary to lay that foundation.  the first step begins with a closet cleanse.  after you’ve finished that, assess the state of your wardrobe. ask yourself, “yeah, i want that new skirt with a bold print, but do i have anything that will go with it?”  you will if you have the basics; you won’t if you don’t.  remember, we’re looking to build a wardrobe containing essential women’s fashion: bottoms to tops.

always remember:  the basics as the items that marry any two garments together. they are typically year-round pieces that easily transition from one season to the next—outfit to outfit. basics are neutrals: black, white, nude/camel, grey, and navy. the goal of building your wardrobe with the basics is to have a closet filled with those essential items that will carry you during any transition period with as few updates as possible. when your wardrobe foundation is built correctly, you will only replace a few items each year which is easy on your pocketbook.

last week, we talked about basic tops.  this week, it’s all about bottoms. and since so many of you love Talbots, most of my recommendations are pulled from there today.  are you ready? let’s dive in.

essential women’s fashion bottoms: skirts

a skirt in any neutral color will work. but most women have at least one black skirt. if you have room for only one skirt choose a style that can work for day and night. length, fit and fabric are key.

pencil skirt | ponte skirt |a-line skirt | midi skirt | maxi skirt 

both a ponte or seasonless pencil skirt are perfect for the office, but they can be dressed down for the weekend with a jean jacket. if possible add a variety of styles: a-line, wrap, midi, and maxi.

pants

some women might forego a skirt altogether and head straight to pants. again, length, fit, and fabric are key.

trousers | ankle pants | crop pants | wide-leg pants

 a trouser in will work year round. again, add a variety of styles that suit your figure: ankle, straight leg, and wide-leg.

denim

yes, blue jeans make the basics list. a pair of denim can be dressed up or down with ease and work for so many occasions. straight leg blue jeans in a dark rinse are the most versatile style. but mix in a variety of styles to give you options.

straight leg | ankle | flare | boot cut | skinny

in my opinion, you can never have too many pairs of blue jeans:  boyfriend/girlfriend, ankle, distressed, frayed, flare, wide-leg, cropped flare, boot cut. the list goes on and on. and, yes, some of these styles are trendier than others. once upon a time skinny jeans were a trend. now they are a closet essential. don’t forget to add white, black, and grey into the mix. plus denim skirts.

cargo pants

some of you might be scratching your head wondering why  (J.Crew) cargo pants made the basics list. aren’t cargo’s trendy?

honestly, these make my classic list as they flatter any figure but have a little edge. and now they’re a wardrobe staple. green or camel are my top color choices. try a straight leg or ankle.

lbd

the little black dress isn’t a bottom, technically. but this is a wardrobe basic nonetheless.

flare dress | wrap sheath dress | a-line dress | shift dress | shirdress

add a variety of styles to your closet. sheath, wrap, halter, a-line, shift, shirtdress. if you choose wisely one dress can work for any occasion. in order to accomplish this follow these guidelines:

• length: not too short
• fit: not too form fitting, let it hug your curves not squeeze them
• style: don’t show too much skin or bare too much information
• fabric: not too dressy

next week we’ll take a look at, wait a minute, why not keep you guessing? happy Sunday, ladies!

Beth Djalali

is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.

She’s 63, 5’8, and size 8.

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