10 Staple Pieces Every Woman Should Own
Written By Madison Bai
As I got older, I pondered what pieces were absolute necessities for my wardrobe. To write this article I conferred with some knowledgeable ladies in my life, and came up with this list of 10 staple pieces every woman should own. Lacking some of these pieces? Use it as an excuse to have a little shopping day, trust me, your wardrobe will thank you! So try, explore, and enjoy my pageant starlets! :)
1. Classic Trench Coat
Whether it’s in camel, black, navy, or even hounds tooth, a classic trench is a wardrobe must. Trench coats give the aura of old Hollywood glamour (think Catherine Deneuve), and can add a chic vibe to almost any outfit. Pair with a scarf for a more complete look. :)
2. Black and Nude Pumps
Black and nude pumps are just plain necessity in every woman’s closet. Just make sure they aren’t sky-high. Opt for a kitten heel or at most three inches; otherwise your feet will be killing you by the end of the day. These heels will look good with any dress, guaranteed. Wear black for a more polished or sultry look (depending on the outfit) or nude to elongate your legs and bring more attention to your outfit. Both are great shoes for running around to meet all your post-pageant engagements!
3. Fitted Black Blazer
Make sure that your black blazer is a classic shape without embellishments and is fitted properly to your body. The black blazer is more versatile than some think. Wear it to work for a more professional vibe. Otherwise pair it with a loose-ish white t-shirt (something Alexander Wang-esque), boyfriend jeans, and black strappy heels for a day-to-night look.
5. Black Dress Pants
Black dress pants are a work place staple. Wear them to an interview or on the job, either way people will know you mean business. Make sure they are tailored to truly flatter your body, and walk with confidence! Pair them with the aforementioned black pumps and a beautiful blouse and you will have a great pageant interview look.
6. White, Collared Button Down Blouse
Another great piece to own is a white, collared button down blouse. Make sure it fits you well, as you don’t want it too loose (it will seem frumpy) or too tight (not work appropriate). The great thing about this piece is that it can also be dressed up for work or down for play. Wear your white blouse with a pencil skirt and heels or dress pants for a professional look. Otherwise, tuck it in to a pair of butt-flattering jeans (either skinny or boyfriend), belt, add black pumps, and a statement bag. Now you’re ready to go out and about!
7. Pearl Earrings and Necklace
Nowadays people warn you not to wear pearl earrings with a pearl necklace, as it will date you. However, pearls are such a classic piece of jewelry that no woman should do without them. Whether for your wedding, someone else’s, a black tie function, or a formal pageant related event pearls are an easy, go-to piece. They give an outfit grace and sophistication without being over the top.
8. Timeless Watch
Why a watch? A classic watch, nothing to blingy or trendy, will last through the decades. A great watch will go with almost any outfit and is a great piece to pass on. Plus, watches can be a statement piece by themselves and require minimal additional jewelry to achieve the right look. Furthermore, watches can be dressed up or down with the outfit making them another staple wardrobe piece.
9. Kelly Bag
The Kelly Bag. One immediately pictures Hollywood glamour and royalty. Named after the beautiful Grace Kelly, the bag is a great statement piece with enough class to put other purses to shame. Sadly, the actual Kelly bag, designed Hermès, is out of most people’s comfortable price range. However, any bag that resembles it will do just fine, as it is the shape that is the most classic part. Carry this statement purse with you to and from your post-pageant engagements!
10. Leather Jacket
A leather jacket! But why? This is because, for the most part, everyone loves a good leather jacket. They toughen up a cute dress; give jeans and a shirt a rocker chic look; and can make an all-black ensemble look even cooler. Plus they keep you warm in that in-between fall and spring weather. Leather jackets have been around for a while, and only seem to grow in popularity. So invest in a classic black one, or be daring and go for white! Both are neutral colors, although the black one is guaranteed to last for decades (they still sell ones from the 70’s all the time!).
P.S. Do you have a wardrobe staple you could not live without? Let us know for a future post! :)
