4 Essentials for a Classic Wardrobe

As a wannabe fashion designer, I’m pinning my future career on these words from style icon and eight-time Oscar winner for costume design Edith Head: “You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.” Agreed, Edith.

Your wardrobe may be ready for an impromptu trip to St. Tropez or Aspen. But it’s not really a wardrobe until you have everyday pieces that, every once in a while, make you feel like you’re a movie star on vacation. Find staples and classics that you love and that flatter. Buy them in a few colors or just buy a backup or two. It gives your style a signature that people will remember. (It also makes getting dressed for brunch while hungover on a Sunday morning a little easier.)

Build yourself a classic wardrobe with these timeless pieces made famous by the following four fashion demigods:

Diane Von Furstenberg

Let’s not pull punches. Diane’s legendary wrap dresses have been flattering our less-than-taut tummies since 1974. They are still incredibly forgiving to almost every shape with a deep, wide V neckline that flatters any bustline. Diane taught us that an hourglass shape isn’t necessarily a genetic blessing but an easily cared for jersey knit and a cinched waist.

“Feel like a woman; Wear a dress.” – Diane Von Furstenberg

If you can’t afford Diane’s classic prints and luxe fabrics, look for a wrap dress that feels great to the touch; that’s a good indication that it will look like and make you feel like a million bucks when you put it on. For those of you who are on the more modest side (or plan on wearing it to work), you might want to stitch on a snap or mini hook to keep the front together and the cleavage minimal.

Coco Chanel

Never underestimate the power of a well-fitting jacket. From Jackie O to Coco herself, the Chanel jacket has been a symbol of the professional woman since its conception in 1945. It was arguably the first menswear-inspired design for women.

Fashion fades; only style remains the same.” – Coco Chanel

But a great jacket doesn’t have to come at Chanel prices. Even a trip to your local thrift store can yield a treasured outer layer that you will wear with everything from an evening gown to jeans and a white tee. Remember that when it comes to jackets, the fit is everything. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t find a perfect fit; a tailor can often shorten or narrow aspects of a jacket for less than $20. Just remember, it’s always much easier to make something smaller than it is bigger.

Karl Lagerfeld

As the head of Chanel and a style icon in his own right (even his cats are famous), Karl coined the phrase that every girl learned at her first school dance: All hail the Little Black Dress. The LBD, when done right, transforms a woman from a mother, employee, boss lady, and/or wife into a sleek, classic creature ready for sophistication and celebration.

“One is never overdressed or under-dressed with a Little Black Dress.” – Karl Lagerfeld

The key to the LBD: Don’t get overly sexy and don’t go boring. The sexiest part of the LBD is that it’s more formal than foxy. Stay away from cleavage and super stretchy fabric. Look for fabrics and cuts that graze your curves and give you shape. Details such a strategic draping of fabric or a graphic cutout should be sneakily flattering or forget them. They can take a boring LBD to the next level, but if they don’t specifically flatter your shape, they will draw attention to what you don’t like about your body rather than what you do.

Kate Hudson

Most of us enjoy getting ready for a night out. It’s even fun to get ready for brunch or church and put on our Sunday best. But how often do you feel like a million bucks hanging around the house or running errands? Sometimes you just want to wear sweats, right? No harm in that. Sweats can look cool. Actually, it’s kinda expected these days, as any woman who has ever plunked down a small fortune at Helmut Lang or Lululemon knows. Even your workout clothes are a fashion statement now, and Lululemon spin-offs are popping up everywhere — just ask Kate Hudson.

But what Kate is getting at here goes far beyond a cute and comfy sports bra. She seems to be hinting at what we all know: what we do (and wear) when nobody’s looking is what really counts, right? And with great prices on everyday pieces that will make you feel fashionable and cute on the regular, why not stock up? After all, it’s not like they take up much closet space. May we recommend a really cool and flattering pair of lounge pants? Maybe some strappy crop-top-cum-sports-bra, and a drapey open-front top to layer over it?

“I’m not one of those women who get all gussied up to go out, but I do put myself together! It’s important to feel good.” – Kate Hudson

After all, simply being fashionable shouldn’t be the goal. It’s easier than you think, with a little planning, to make sure your wardrobe is comfortable, flattering and fashionable.