Since I can't hold the "Six Easy Steps to SW Florida Style" workshop this month, I'm providing the information here.
To have a wardrobe that provides maximum workability and to ensure you have the key items necessary to take you through any and all occasions, make sure you have these six items ready and available in your wardrobe.
A classic white shirt (or blouse)
The shirt should be pure white, soft white or ivory depending on your color palette. The shirt should be simply tailored, with long sleeves and a collar, and of the best fabric you can afford. If you can do it, have two of these shirts, one in a cotton/poly blend and one in a silk blend (for dressier occasions). Wear this shirt with jeans or any pair of pants, or a skirt. Add some shine and sparkle with jewelry and a fab pair of shoes for a dressier occasion, or add earrings only and a pair of flats or sandals for a more casual occasion.
A pair of dark denim jeans
You need a pair of jeans in the darkest wash you can find, with a straight or just slightly flared leg, and with very little detailing. (Grommets and top stitching make the jeans more casual and therefore, they don't work as well for dressier occasions.) Wear these jeans with a beautiful silky blouse, some fab jewelry and a great pair of heels and you can go almost anywhere in SW Florida. Pair the jeans with the white shirt or any tank top and a pair of sandals and you are ready for a more casual day.
A pair (or two) of neutral pants
Your best neutral color will always be the color that most closely approximates your hair color. Dark brunettes will do well in black, dark navy or charcoal. Gray haired ladies should go for a shade of gray (or navy). Red heads need to look to the golden, warm browns. Blondes will want either camel or taupe depending on whether they are warm blondes or cool blondes.
The pants should fit perfectly and have a straight leg with few details. The simpler the design, the more versatile the garment is. Wear these pants with the white shirt or any blouse in one of your best accent colors. Wear these pants out to lunch, out to dinner, to the theater or to a friend's house.
A Jacket
Choose any well-tailored jacket, or blazer, in one of your favorite neutral colors. Make sure the jacket fits you well and is the right length for your proportions. Wear the jacket over the white shirt with jeans or pants (or a skirt) or pair it with a tank top in one of your favorite accent colors.
3-4 Tank Tops
Choose your favorite accent colors and have several tank tops or "shells" in those colors ready and available at all times. This provides a flattering color up close to your face and any of your accent colors will coordinate with any of your neutral pants and/or the dark denim jeans.
A Fabulous Handbag
The handbag has become the "it" accessory. Yours should be proportionate to your scale and in any color of your palette. We no longer use only neutral colors for our handbags; although a neutral handbag such as black or brown or taupe is always a good choice. Today, some of the best handbags are red or yellow or green or purple. Your handbag doesn't need to match anything else you are wearing. But it should be consistent with your body type and your scale. Have fun and enjoy picking out a new handbag for this Spring/Summer season.
