The Wardrobe Staples These Style Mavens Gravitate Towards Every Time
If you're like me, you probably have been wearing a lot of sweats and athleisure thanks to COVID-19 (because, what are "real clothes" and what's the reason?). And while we don't know exactly how long we'll be dealing with this pandemic, what we do know is that when it is finally over, we're going to want to be outside all day, every day. To prepare, I've taken advantage of some of my free time by purging and minimizing my closet. My goal is to eventually have a closet full of essentials and staple pieces that I can create multiple different looks from and only a few very trendy pieces. This made me wonder exactly what pieces should I have as a part of my wardrobe?
In order to help me learn what closet staples I need to truly curate the stylish wardrobe of my dreams, I reached out to a few (what we here at xoNecole like to call) Style Mavens to tell us the items in their closet that they gravitate towards every time.
Stylish Women Share Their Favorite Closet Staples
Ashley, @theinspiredi
Courtesy of Ashley
Oversized blazer:
"Preferably thrifted and vintage from the men's section is a no-brainer to effortlessly elevate any look."
Courtesy of Ashley
Max it out:
"I love the subtle drama packed in a maxi skirt or dress and the appeal it exudes without the need to show skin."
Courtesy of Ashley
Layering is life:
"I always stock up on staple button-down dresses in a couple sizes too big for a perfectly oversized fit to layer on top of jeans, pants, skirts or even each other."
Tyla Lauren Gilmore, @tylauren: Digital Content Creator
Courtesy of Tyla Lauren Gilmore
Blazers:
"I have an addiction to blazers because they are so versatile. You can dress them up, wear them casual, and even wear them with sneakers and sweats."
Boyfriend-cut jeans:
"I wear denim every day and I'm always on the hunt for the perfect fitting pair since it's hard to find jeans for curvy women! I live in the thrift store because there's tons of fits, washes, and sizes to pick from."
Tyla Lauren Gilmore
Sneakers:
"I prefer sneakers over heels any day because I want to be comfortable at all times. Shoes are also such an essential part of my outfits and are usually the first thing I start with when creating outfits."
Courtesy of Monroe Steele
Louis Vuitton Gold Hoop Earrings:
"They go with everything and are the perfect size. I'm a gold kinda girl and I've worn them into the ground."
Bottega Veneta Mules:
"I currently have six pairs of Bottega Veneta Mules and Pumps because they are fashionable but, more than that, they are the most comfortable heels I own."
Courtesy of Monroe Steele
"I'm definitely a heel girl so if I can walk the streets of New York a full day in a heel, they are definitely keepers. Which is probably why I keep buying them."
Shoulder-padded muscle t-shirts:
"The perfect edgy tops that go with everything. I purchase them from high to low brands (Attico to The Frankie Shop, Zara to Storets). They all offer padded muscle tees and I just keep on buying them."
Kéla Walker, @kelawalker: Media Host & Style Influencer
Courtesy of Kéla Walker
It comes down to the details:
"For me, it is all about the accessories. So, that is really great jewelry, a really great shoe, and handbag. Like those are always the things I gravitate towards because outside fluctuates. No matter if you lose 10 pounds or gain 10 pounds, those pieces always fit. My watch is going to fit, my shoes are going to fit, and my purse is going to go with something. So, for me it's always about those accessories. The quality, substance and pieces that are going to differentiate my look.
Courtesy of Kéla Walker
"It's not even about the label or this big ticket price. It's how you pull the pieces together and how you style it."
"Because we're all for the most part a lot of times shopping in the same spaces and places, those are the pieces that are really going to make you stand apart and help you hone in on your signature look and your signature style and how you put your stamp on it. Accessories can really make something look different."
Stacee Michelle, @itsstaceemichelle: Fashion Stylist, Media Personality & Entrepreneur
Courtesy of Stacee Michelle
Photo Credit: Luke Calvin
Denim jacket:
"A classic denim jacketis a versatile piece that will never go out of style. One thing I love about this one from All Saints is that all of my essentials have a home in one of the many pockets so I can be hands-free when I don't feel like carrying a purse. A denim jacket is a yearlong staple and is perfect for layering when the temperature dips."
Courtesy of Stacee Michelle
Photo Credit: Luke Calvin
Denim jeans:
"Everyone should own a pair of jeans that are a perfect fit. I live in my 10" high-rise jeans from Madewell because I can wear them with just about anything. Most of us have a closet full of jeans but only wear a few of them on a regular basis. I decided to donate the extra pairs to make room for more of the items that I love to wear."
Courtesy of Stacee Michelle
Photo Credit: Luke Calvin
Leather jacket:
"My Levi's leather motorcycle jacket is an essential piece in my wardrobe. It looks awesome with a hoodie and sneakers but can effortlessly be paired with a dress when going out. I love that it adds an edge to my more feminine looks. It's the jacket I reach for the most during fall and winter months."
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Featured image courtesy of Ashley
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Erica Green is a Clinical Research Associate, blogger, and a sneakerhead. She has a love for all things women and she's pretty sure that women are God's greatest creation. Connect with her on Instagram @ erica_britt_ or www.lovethegspot.com
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage