Tag: classic style

Tips on Creating a Professional Wardrobe

Tips on Creating a Professional Wardrobe from a Capsule Wardrobe Expert

Posted on by Claire Bahn

My cousin will soon be graduating from college and is planning to work in a professional, corporate casual setting in New York City.  She asked my advice on creating a professional wardrobe, so asked for help from my blogger friend and capsule wardrobe expert, Shelbi Samuelson.   For those that aren’t familiar with a capsule wardrobe, according to Wikipedia: “A capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don’t go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces.”  Shelbi came up with a go-to list of starter pieces for a professional wardrobe.

Tips on Creating a Professional Wardrobe:

When making any professional transition in your life whether it’s graduating from college, going back to work after having a baby or getting a promotion, you should consider having these core pieces in your professional wardrobe. To get started, I have set up a list of high quality items that you should consider buying to last you a few years in your professional career.

Classic Black Pump

This shoe should be the best quality that you can afford with your money. It’s always worth spending the money on a great “power pump” that makes you feel like you own the room while leading a meeting or presentation.… Read Full Post

Perfect Blazer

How to Find the Perfect Blazer

Posted on by Claire Bahn

In my second post for my segment Secrets to a Classic Wardrobe, I will discuss the closet staple; the perfect blazer.  I’ve always loved the way the perfect blazer can pull together an otherwise ho-hum outfit.  It can make a low-key casual outfit infinitely more stylish.  The perfect blazer is also a great piece to help you transition into fall, you can easily wear a favorite summer outfit and throw on a blazer to get wear out of it as you move into fall.  I got my first blazer in New York City, shortly after graduating from college, it was a fitted black corduroy blazer.   Now corduroy is a casual fabric, but in the right color it can look more formal.    I must mention that I am talking about a blazer and not a jacket that is part of a 2 piece suit, which can often be worn as a blazer.  I will often wear the jacket of a 2 piece suit without the suit skirt or pants, but I have about 5 stand alone blazers in cotton and wool to suit my mood and any outfit.

Know your budget and stick to it.

I said this in my last post about classic black pumps, you need to stay within your budget.  If your budget is $150, find the blazer best you can for that price.… Read Full Post

black pumps

Secrets to a Classic Wardrobe: Black Pumps

Posted on by Claire Bahn

I’m starting a new segment on my blog called “Secrets to a Classic Wardrobe”, where I will discuss staple, classic wardrobe pieces that you will have for years.  One major wardrobe classic are black pumps.  I got my first high-end pair of simple black pumps in 2007 and I still have them.  I’m wearing them here:

 

 

How do you keep your high-end items looking great for years?  Check out my How to Recondition a Leather Handbag for tips, these tips can be used for anything leather from shoes, belts and handbags.  Here are my tips for finding the right black pumps:

          • Know your budget and stick to it.

             If your budget is $150, find the best shoe you can for that price.  I would suggest going to online stores like The Outnet and Saks Off 5th.  There you can find higher end pieces at a reduced price.  Here are some options at $150 and under:

… Read Full Post