Want some fashion advice? Get it from the best – Nina Garcia the Queen of Fashion over at Elle Magazine. Today and over the next few days I am going to give you some excerpts from Nina Garcia’s The Little Black Book of Style
. I have talked about this book before over here, when it was first released, but now that it’s been out for a bit, it’s worth a deeper look. For the cost of lunch, you can pick this book up and have at your fingertips Elle Magazine’s primo fashion genius, uh director, gives you some quintessential tips on how to dress with decorum, and even more importantly, how to make your fashion dollar go from season to season. You will find in her inspiration from the greats in the fashion industry, as well as everything you need to know on the must-haves, and how to wear them.
Nina talks about investing in the bones for your wardrobe throughout the book, and those bones are what we are going to be covering.
“The bones of your wardrobe are those essential staples that go with almost everything, never go out of style, and are enduringly chic. They are meant to be the black canvas onto which you can add layers….these staples transcend time, trends, and travel. They can go from day to night, season to season, and they can still be worn five years from now.”
What are they? Let’s have a look…
The Little Black Dress. Capital L, Capital B, Capital D.
This is the ultimate blank canvas…mysterious, chic, understated, and provocative…it will flatter you, but it will not detract from the rest of you. It lets your hair, accessories, and your personality take center stage. And the slimming effect – let’s not forget the slimming effect.
This Diane von Furstenberg Bateau neck wrap dress is a classic example. For $300, your fashion dollar can stretch for years to come. Throw a cardigan or cropped jacket on this for day, and hang that sweater up for evening. Perfect! One is never over or underdressed with a little black dress – Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel, Creative Director)
The Cashmere Sweater.
“In all kinds of weather, and for any kind of occasion, throwing on cashmere makes you feel instantly luxe. A cashmere cardigan is perfect over anything – a dress, T-shirt, button down shirt – but also incredibly sexy when worn alone. A cashmere turtleneck is perfect when paired with just about everything – jeans, trousers, and skirts.”
This Michael Kors Cashmere turtleneck sweater is again, also a very solid investment. I do not believe in God. I believe in cashmere. ~Fran Lebowitz (Author)
The Trench Coat.
“A classic trench can work in any kind of weather and goes well with almost anything (or almost nothing if you are feeling very film noir). But the best part of the trench coat is that it makes you instantly mysterious. Wear it with big sunglasses if you want to really channel your inner detective, spy, or fugitive”.
Looking for a trench coat that will take you from year to year? Again, stretch that fashion dollar with this Burberry Prorsum Double-breasted trench coat. I personally prefer the black, again, it goes back to the slimming effect and again, this cut is very flattering and can go from year to year. Put on a trench; you’re suddenly Audrey Hepburn walking along the Seine. ~Michael Kors
