Back to Basics- Part two: The Tops

With a few simple (properly fitting) tops you can have the basics to pull off comfortable style everyday without struggle.

List of needed basic tops:
1 plain black camisole
1 plain nude camisole
1 plain white camisole
1 black v-neck t-shirt
1 white v-neck t-shirt
1 black long sleeve t-shirt

The key is to make sure that each of these pieces fit your body well. For example your camisoles should fit close and tight to your body because they will be worn under other pieces. If they are to loose they won’t do you any favors. A camisole should be worn to add thickness to a thin or shear top or under a low cut top to make it appropriate for professional situations. I like the basic seamless camisoles from Sugarlips Apparel.

V-neck t-shirts are always great to have. I love pairing them with skinny jeans and boots for a daytime and throwing on patent leather pumps at night. I love Alternative Apparel’s Burnout Deep V-neck. The neck is deep but not to deep and the shirt fits like a dream. I have loads of beautiful dress and designer shirts but my Alternative Apparel V-neck get just as many (if not more) compliments!

The best longs sleeve shirts I can find come from Target. Try Target’s Merona Ultimate Long Sleeve Tee. It isn’t to tight or to loose so you can wear it by itself or layer it under another shirt or dress.

Back to Basics- Part One: The Foundations

I am a sucker for high fashion! I love to dress up it the latest trendy skirt and heels but lately I’ve been thinking about creating fantastically stylish outfits with the simple basics. Basics are all important… YOU NEED THEM… and you need to invest in them. From Bra’s to jeans to simple long sleeves. Having proper fitting basics allow women to be comfortable and not look like complete slobs.

Let’s start with Foundations, yes I mean bras and panties.

YOU HAVE TO GO GET FITTED FOR A BRA! Believe me, you don’t know what size bra you wear. Go to Dillard’s or any other intimate apparel retailer and ask for their fit specialist. They will measure to and help you find bras that work for size and shape and what bras to stay away from. You should go every 6 months to a year to be refitted and re-buy (your bra that you bought 3 years ago isn’t doing its job anymore… it’s time to upgrade, you deserve it)! Bras’ lose the elasticity after 6 to 12 months of wear (depending on how often they are worn and how you wash them, hand washing will increase there “life expectancy”).

This is my list of all the types of bra’s a women should have in her wardrobe at all times:

1 nude t-shirt bra
1 black t-shirt bra
1 nude convertible bra (that can be strapless, racerback, or traditional)
1 black convertible bra (that can be strapless, racerback, or traditional)

With these four bra’s you should be able to have appropriate match for all your clothes.

Now for the underwear…

My first piece of advice for everyday is buy what fits and what is comfortable. In addition buy SPANX! Make the investment. With Spanx you will avoid the visible pantie line. I know some of you think you can avoid that with a tong… sadly many of you are wrong. The only thing worst that pantie lines going across some lady’s butt cheeks is seeing that nasty line across another woman’s upper hips… and you know where that line ends up… freakin’ gross right. Spanx are not the most comfortable thing in the world but the peace of mind knowing your lines have no chance of showing makes up for that. I suggest Spanx’s “Skinny Britches.” They are really thin and really useful and come is loads of colors.

Without the proper foundations you have already made a disaster of your outfit even before you slip on your dress or your t-shirt and jeans. Invest in the items you wear EVERYDAY you will feel more confident and that is the best way to pull off any outfit.