DOSSIER

Every good wardrobe is built on a foundation of basics. Some take years to find (like the perfect tee) and others are like old friends who continue to hold a special place in your closet for years (like my black skinny jeans). As I begin my 5 Piece French Wardrobe challenge, I thought it best to assess the best of basics to see what I am missing. This will ultimately guide me towards the 5 pieces to buy for the season. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Back to the basics. While I firmly believe it is important to invest in quality basics to build the foundation of your wardrobe, it isn’t always necessary to spend a lot of money.

Basic Tee: My lengthy search for the perfect tee finally came to a halt two years ago, when I tried on the Helmut by Helmut Lang Kinetic Jersey Tee. The u-neckline elongates your neck, while the front hemline is longer than the back adding a relaxed feel to the style. At $90, the price is high, but I tend to buy them in bulk when they are on sale or at sample sales for half the price. I have two of each color, black, heather grey and white.

Basic Denim: I rarely wear blue jeans, possibly because I haven’t found the perfect wash, so my basic denim comes in shades of black. The three silhouettes that are necessary in every woman’s denim collection are the boyfriend jean, the skinny jean and the high-waisted jean.

Boyfriend jean: R13 boy skinny jean in distressed black denim. I buy this style 1-2 sizes too big so they fit low on the hip, slouchy through the hips, skinny in the knee and ankle. // Skinny jean: BDG cigarette mid-rise jean in black. A favorite among most of my friends in the fashion industry for their comfort, solid black wash and low price of $58. I buy a new pair every season. // High-waisted jean: BLK DNM skinny jean has a high waist which elongates the legs. I love the faded black denim which reads almost grey.

Basic Black Ankle Boots: Rachel Comey, low heel booties for super casual days. // Flat croc Tibi booties for comfortable chic days. // Neoprene and leather Tibi boots for dressed up days and nights.