Basic Black

As promised, this is the 1st part of what I

would recommend for your "all grown up" lady's

basic black wardrobe components.

I don't think too many young girls read my

blog, and so this is not intended for people who can wear

anything and look fabulous (because they ARE young).

Instead, it's what I would recommend to a woman who

might have been my client at Sak's 5th Avenue, when I

worked there.  We are going to begin building a serious

wardrobe of collectible, seasonless, long-lasting key pieces.

This is called investment dressing.

Don't be afraid it's all gonna cost too much.

At first, it will seem like it.

But, when we amortize our apparel over the X's worn

and the year's worn, it will prove a worthy investment.

This is St. John.
The jacket is a knit.
The black will always be black.
The jacket will always be perfect.
It is care-free, looks polished & sleek always.

The pants are also St. John, but they are not
the old Santana knit. They are a new modern fabric
of wool & spandex, so they don't wrinkle...ever.

Neither of these attract lint.
L I N T
This 4-letter word is the most horrible of all
when applied to our apparel.

Don't be afraid of St. John now.
It's being designed in an entirely new updated way
and does NOT look like your mother's or grandmother's.

Look at the cut of the jacket with it's Mandarin collar.

If you leave it open, with a white silk or cotton blouse under,
add piles of pearls or other beads, or even a single chain,
you have a professional look.

Worn like it is shown can be a wonderful cocktail look
with this large silk flower, glitzy underpinning, high heels,
sparkling little clutch.

You could wear jeans, like Ralph's black ones.
wedges, huge shoulder bag, big jewelry

You can wear a maxi skirt, black or printed.
worn closed with a wildly printed skirt,
big floppy colored flower, cute sandals,
black straw handbag

You can wear a suit-length skirt, leather or silk.
sleek black leather shoulder bag
black pumps


Please don't tell me you will get tired of the piece.
You won't.
Because it will always look different.

If you're a young mother, a working woman, a
world traveller, or a lady who lunches,
this is a vital piece of a well-built wardrobe.

No, it's not a trend-setting Gucci bomber,
nor a Balmain huge big statement piece which
will last only 1 season,
and it's not a fluffy ruffled Valentino,
or a piece of fast-fashion's knockoffs,
which will also last only 1 season.


It's a wardrobe staple, it costs $1195.00,
unless you find one on sale, or at an
 outlet mall, or EBay,
which is entirely possible.

If you're travelling you could absolutely wear this
every single day, in Seattle, San Francisco, New York,
Chicago, London, Paris or Venice.
Maybe not in Houston because in summer it is so
hideously hot...that's WHY we travel.

So let's say you wear it 1X a week,
that's 50 X's a year.

You could do this with
Armani Collezioni,
or Escada
just as well.
Depends on what you like the best. 
But, ONE perfect black jacket is where to begin.

Black Slacks
Black Jeans

Back Flats
Black Boots
Black Pumps
Black Casual Sandals
Black Wedges
(ok ok, you can go to DSW for the shoes,
I know how much fun it is)

Black Summer Handbag
Black Leather Shoulder Bag
Huge Black Satchel

Black Cashmere Tee
Black Silk Tee
Black Silk Blouse
Black Silk Camisole
Black Turtleneck, the best you can afford.

Black Sheer Stockings
Black Matte Stockings
Black Textured Stockings
Black Leggings
Black Socks, ones you can wash by hand

Black Pearl Studs, big ones

This group of clothes can take you to any capitol in the world,
to any event at any time.

There have been many posts about the basics of
wardrobing.  My take may be a bit different because I'm
not going to tell you to go to Target or Talbot's.
I wish everyone could understand the actual value of fine apparel.
It's looks fine. 
It stands the test of time.

Blacks stay black after washing or good dry cleaning
(which should be minimal).
They don't lose their shape.
They don't go out of style.

And, please, look at all the professional people in
the business of fashion...the editors, the stylists, the
art directors, etc.
They ALL wear black to every single fashion week's events.

Love to you all...

:)'s