Drawing Board: The Supplies Pt 1.

Drawing Board is a short series of posts that will show you how to completely revamp your wardrobe. Watching the models and socialites on TV won’t give you the tools to become well-dressed. It starts with one basic component: understanding

Building your wardrobe from scratch is a lengthy process. It’s important to remember that a wardrobe is built over time, not all at once. If you try and build your wardrobe at once, it will be very costly.

The key to a wardrobe is investing in quality pieces and quality basics. These are commonly referred to as staples. Just as staples hold together pieces of paper, these items hold together and cement your wardrobe.

The first thing you want to do is start off with basic pieces. When purchasing these pieces look for solid colors or simple patterns. The more colors that are included in your piece, the less options of things you could potentially wear with them.

 For example, a red cardigan leaves your options open for khakis, navy blue slacks, or black slacks. But if you purchase a cardigan with a heavy black print all over it, you automatically, more than likely, reduce your chances of wearing the khakis and navy blue slacks.

When building your wardrobe, leave yourself options.

Below is a list of items to look for when you begin to purchase:

• A nice, tailored suit.  The traditional business suits include grey, black, and navy blue. These are the accepted colors in the business world. If you’re limited on your budget, start with a black suit. Why? A black suit serves more functions. You can wear a black suit to an interview, to a formal event (add a black bowtie to add formality), and unfortunately, even a funeral.
• Brown and brown. Black and black. It is no secret that your shoes should match your belt (in most cases, not all). Invest in a pair of black shoes and a black belt. Invest in brown shoes (tan or chocolate, tan, oak or lighter brown preferred) and a matching belt.
• Crisp white shirts. A white shirt is timeless. Ask your grandfather’s grandfather (if you can), if white button ups were acceptable and most likely, he’ll say yes. The white shirt allows us all to be picky. There isn’t much that won’t pair with a simple white button up. As these shirts are quite popular, purchase multiple shirts. Dingy shirts appear easily.
• A nice timepiece. While you may say, “do you wear a watch?” I’ll affectionately reply, “But of course!” Your first watch, shouldn’t be expensive, unless you can afford it. Time appears in several places. Our iPhones, iPads, smart phones, and laptops all provide the time. Timepieces complete looks and add elegance. As your wardrobe expands, you’ll more than likely end up owning multiple versions. Your gym watch is not the watch you wear to a black tie affair.
  

Part 2 coming soon with more staples.

Author

Marquelle Turner

Life is truly a gift and like any gift, you can’t get its advantages until the gift is unwrapped. That’s how I’ve come to approach every second of life; with the idea that until you’re doing what you love, everything else is inauthentic. After traveling on the road of self-discovery, I can’t seem to leave the city of style, a neighborhood of performing arts, and a place called faith boulevard. All of my ventures provide me with an opportunity for an extended stay at these places of solace.

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