5 Staples for Every Real Woman's Wardrobe

I'm sure you've all watched the Today Show or Oprah when they have the segment on "Staples for Every Woman's Wardrobe."  I have to laugh when they do these segments.  I mean, really?  Does every woman really need a trench coat?  Uh, no.  If you happen to live in Texas, you own a winter coat, a cardigan sweater, and a denim jacket.  And does every woman really need a little black dress?  No.  When was the last time you needed your LBD for a cocktail party?  (I think it's been 3 years for me and I'm surrounded by Dallas self-proclaimed socialites every week.) 

I wanted to be a little more realistic and offer 5 Staples for Every Real Woman's Wardrobe.

1.  A well-fitted pair of jeans.  You can wear them almost anywhere.  You can dress them up and dress them down.  And the right pair of jeans will make you look slim and trim.

2. A pretty dress.  We all need dresses for Easter, graduations, and weddings.  But it doesn't have to be a little black dress, it just needs to be a dress that we would feel comfortable wearing for any occasion. The dress should flatter you and you should consider it your go-to item when all else fails.

3. A pair of black pants or a black pencil skirt.  The black pants or skirt provide a blank canvas for any top.  Some women look better in pants and should embrace the pants to give them curves and shape.  And curvier women need the skirt.  Just be sure to play with color on top.

4. A suit.  I know this sounds old fashioned, but you always need a suit when it's not convenient to buy one.  The suit is a must-wear item for a job interview.  (I was even hired once because the hospital administrator said she liked my suit.)  The suit is appropriate for for funerals.  The suit is necessary for court or other important meetings. And the suit is always appropriate at church.  Pick a flattering color suit and DO NOT wear a white blouse unless you know it makes you look hot.  Just remember that black and white done wrong can make you look like a nun.  So if you pick black and white, you better accessorize well.

5.  A cute, matching sweat suit.  As a wife and mother I understand the advantage to wearing comfortable clothes when I'm getting groceries or doing the laundry.  But if we want to keep our men happy, we have to fight the "give up" look.   The right sweatsuit matched with make-up and flashy jewelry can make you look like a rock star.  So invest in cute Juicy sweats or Calvin Klein work-out clothes (great deals at Ross!) and be comfortable in style.

Everything else in your closet should be an expression of you!  So buy the silk blouse you've been admiring.  Or take a risk with the lace shrug that intimidates you.  Wear these with one of the staple items in your closet and you can't go wrong!  All the pictures are from items currently available at http://shop.nordstrom.com/.  They offer petite and extended sizes as you can see from the cute plus-size sweat suit. Check them out!