FashBlog.com

By Jennifer Lynn

As I was cleaning my closet the other day, I was putting forth my best effort to get rid of as many things as I could in order to make room for some new clothing items and shoes. I went through the ritual of eyeing the item, making a quick decision to keep it or get rid of it, and if my decision was to get rid of it, proceeding to the finale, which was trying it on for one last time just to make sure I was making the right decision and of course to say goodbye. As I was eyeing my clothing, I noticed a pair of black pants that I've had for what seems like an eternity. As I eyed the seemingly ancient black pants and contemplated whether or not to part with them, a flurry of memories ran through my mind and it suddenly occurred to me. I've worn these pants more than any other item of clothing I own and despite the fact that they are one of my older pieces of clothing (as far as how long I've owned them), they never have gone out of style and as far as a I remember, they look as fabulous on me now as they did the first day I bought them. It was then that I realized that I had just experienced an epiphany. When it comes to fashion, there are the considerably "trendy" trends that change with the turn of the seasons and then there are the classics, the staples that are needed to make any wardrobe (no matter how big or small) totally fabulous. I've come up with ten items that are essential to any woman's wardrobe.

#1 A Pair of Mind-Blowing Denim Jeans- Jeans are a staple in just about every individual's wardrobe but a pair of mind-blowing jeans are hard to find. As all of us know, shopping for jeans can be pretty difficult sometimes. There is so much to think about. You have to find a pair of jeans that flatters all the assets and by all the assets, I mean none other than the hips, the booty and the legs. To make matters more complicated, the length needs to be just right or they have to be hemmed. In addition, there are different types of denim: stretchy denim vs. classic denim, stone washed vs. dark denim, and the list goes on and on. With so many choices and so many styles, finding your mind-blowing jeans can be tough but when you do finally find them it will be a fabulous moment and voila, a staple clothing piece that you will get much use out of!

#2 A Pair of Black Pants- If you take a look around you, whether it be a look around the office at your job studying fellow employees or a look a look around at the crowd at your favorite nightclub, you'll notice that many of the individuals have a certain similarity when it comes to their attire. Many of them are wearing black pants, yet they all have their own individual look that is polished off by and made unique by their blouse and their chosen accenting accessories. That is the beauty of black pants. They are extremely versatile. You can take them from day to night by changing the blouse or adding a sparkly accessory such as earrings or a necklace.

#3 A Pair of Heels- Heels are an item that can dress any outfit up. They can be paired with a pair of jeans for day at the mall or as the accenting footwear for the suit you wear to the office. Regardless of what your chosen type of footwear is, heels are an item that always come in handy and as a rule of experience, it is better to have them at your disposal as opposed to trying to search from them right before an event. There is no doubt that when you need something right away, it is always harder to find. That holds steady for many things, especially shoes!

#4 A Leather Jacket- Finding a decent jacket can be difficult because so many jackets are either too bulky or can only be worn with dress clothes. The majority of jackets have their limits. The leather jacket has no limits. It can be paired with a pair of denim jeans, a skirt, or a pair of dress pants and despite the different circumstances in all those scenarios the leather jacket always looks fabulous. When it comes to purchasing a leather jacket, shop around. Most of the time, you can find really good sales at department stores.

#5 The Little Black Dress- In 1954, Audrey Hepburn made the debut appearance of the little black dress famous when she wore it in the movie "Sabrina". According to the Style Network, Coco Chanel created the first little black dress in 1927 and individuals at Vogue predicted it would be a classic for all women alike. Now, here we are in 2006, and those predictions have held true. In this day and age, it is highly unlikely that any woman doesn't know of the little black dress. The little black dress expresses our femininity on all occasions, whether it be attending a charity benefit or strolling down Fifth Ave. doing some serious shopping therapy. What makes the little black dress so special is that it is feminine, classy, and everything about it screams glamour. When in doubt of what to wear to a function, the little black dress can always be depended on to make a spectacular appearance.

#6 A Pair of Capris- Many people may be surprised that capris have lasted as long as they have but it is clear that this style, often referred to as "clam diggers" or "high waters", will not be going out of style anytime soon. One of the things that make capris so popular is that they can be worn just about anywhere and on many different occasions. They come in a variety of different fabrics including twill, knit, nylon, and denim. In addition, capris look flattering on just about everyone because they elongate and slim the leg. They can easily be dressed up with strappy sandals or dressed down with some simple slides.

#7 A Pair of Boots- Boots can add a little bit of flair and funk or a touch of sophistication and class to an array of outfits. For example, they can be paired up with a skirt or worn under jeans or pants. When it comes to choosing a color for boots, black or dark brown is the best choice because those colors have the ability to mesh with most colors. If you are on a limited budget, you can get either of those colors and be set in the boot department; however, if you have a more flexible budget, you can experiment with other different colors and styles. There are a wide variety of styles of boots that vary depending on color, heel height, and boot height. If you are on a limited budget, getting a pair of boots that are higher and go just below the knee is the decision that offers you the most flexibility.

#8 A Pair of Strappy Sandals- Sandals in general are an essential to most women, especially in the warmer months of the spring and the summer. They allow your feet to breathe in the hot and humid weather and at the same time give you the chance to show off those pretty painted toenails. One of the things that make the strappy sandals different from your standard day-to-day sandals is that they are a little more detailed and give every woman the ability to add a touch of sexiness and femininity to her outfit. Strappy sandals can be easily paired with a dress, skirt, slacks, jeans, and capris.

#9 A Cardigan- When the weather isn't quite cold enough for a jacket but there is still a slight chill in the air perhaps in the wee morning hours or once the sun sets, the cardigan saves the day. It is simple and can be worn over a cute camisole or blouse. It is also easily removable which means it is easy to get on and off, which makes it very convenient. The cardigan is a clothing item that allows a woman to look cute without looking bulky, with the added feature of being able to keep warm at the same time.

#10 The Pencil Skirt- When it comes to choosing a skirt that flatters your assets, the pencil skirt is an all around winner for just about everybody. Not only does the pencil skirt elongate your legs and give the illusion that you are taller, but it also shows off your curves resulting in the appearance of that enviable hourglass shape. The pencil skirt can be accented with strappy sandals or a set of heels, and a blouse with a scarf. There is no doubt that the pencil skirt accentuates a woman's sexiness, yet allows her to still remain demure and classy, while hugging all the right curves to show off her shape.

The thing that makes these clothing items staples in every woman's wardrobe is the fact that they are versatile and flattering to every shape and size. If you notice, you can mix and match many of the items with other items on the list or many items within your own wardrobe. While every woman can't pull off a mini-skirt (or more so can't do so with the utmost of confidence), any woman can pull of capris or a pencil skirt and maintain her sexiness and femininity while flattering her figure and showing off her own assets. It is important to understand and accept that all individuals are unique and rather than be sad because we can't pull off that mini-skirt like the other girl, embrace our uniqueness and individuality. Fashions that always look flattering and allow us to maximize our own individual traits are fashions that are worth hanging on to. While fashion will continue to evolve and change, these simple clothing pieces will help you to always stay in fashion and maximize your wardrobe's potential. No matter how many trends come and go, these styles have held tight and will continue to be seen in all avenues of life, from the red carpet to the local mall and from the East coast to the West coast.