A stylish woman at work told me about Nina Garcia's (of Project Runway) 100 things every stylish woman should own. Loving fashion, but loving not spending my retirement fund more, I was fascinated. Could I just pare my wardrobe down to these 100 pieces and be ready for any occasion from the Governor's Ball to hiking Multnomah Falls. If I had these 100 pieces, would women everywhere envy my seemingly effortless sense of style, and would my husband be amazed that I managed to look smart and chic 24 hours a day? Hmmm...I had to check it out. So I got a copy of "the list" and went through it. Here it is along with my notes.
Nina Garcia's The 100:
- A-line Dress. Not the best silhouette for me...would a couple of sheath dresses count?
- Animal Print. Oh yeah...shoes, purses, pajamas, blouses, scarves...love it...essential!
- Ankle Bootie. 2 pairs - one casual and one dressy.
- Aviators. Nope, don't have em...they make me look like a bug.
- Ballet flat. Several...the silver Jessica Simpson ones are my fav.
- Bangles. Usually too big for me, but I have one gold one I wear...a lot.
- Belts. Uh...yeah. Doesn't everyone?
- Bikini. Yes...but...should a woman my age (who's had 3 children) really subject others to this?
- Blackberry. I'm the last person on the planet NOT to have one...I need it!
- Black Opaque Tights. So french...so warm...I must have 20 pairs.
- Blazer. Grey, black (3), red, navy, white....got it covered.
- Boyfriend Cardigan. No, but I wear my husband's sweatshirt from time to time.
- Brooch. Love 'em! I wear the ones I inherited from my Mom now in addition to my own.
- Cable-Knit Sweater. Off white turtleneck, fisherman's sweater. My go to beach fav.
- Caftan. Good God...why? Maybe when I'm 70.
- Camel Coat. Yes. It's gorgeous, but too big. Hardly worn...size 8...any takers?
- Cape. Since I'm not a vampire, Harry Potter, or Emma....nope.
- Cashmere Sweater. 2, but wish I had more. Pure indulgence!
- Charm Bracelet. Love 'em....don't own one. Are you reading this honey?
- Clutch. Pink, red, black....so elegant for evening.
- Cocktail Ring. Got it covered.
- Converse. What? Are you kidding? I'm almost 50...nope...not me...not ever.
- Cosmetics Bag. Bright pink Guess....I desperatly need a new one.
- Cowboy Boots. I like them. I look at them. I never buy them. Why?
- Cuff. They're always too big for me. I'll keep looking.
- Denim Jacket. I shrank the heck out of mine. On the search for a new one.
- Diamond Studs. Yes - 2 pairs, but I'm always afraid to wear them.
- Driving Shoe. Got it.
- Espadrilles. No, but I'll buy a pair before my next tropical vacation.
- Evening Gown. Yes...a guest closet full. Love playing dress-up when I get the chance!
- Exotic Skin Bag. Ummm...no...not sure I want to carry an alligator.
- Fishnets. Yes. Still trying to figure out when I can appropriately wear them.
- Frye Harness Boot. No. Really? Do I really need these? Where do you buy them?
- Fur. Ok..I know it's mean...but I love the feel of fur. It causes me such conflict though.
- Gentleman's Hat. No, but I have my Mom's...so much more fashionable.
- Gloves. Tons of them!
- Havaianas. Sorry, I don't know what this is.
- Hobo Bag. No. Guess I'll start looking.
- Hoop Earrings. Yes, gold and silver.
- Investment Bag. If you count the Coach's I buy at the outlet mall, then yes, yes, yes!
- iPod. Yes, haven't used it in ages.
- Jeans. But, of course. Always looking for that perfect fit though.
- Jewelry Pouches. Yes. But, I'm wondering how that makes me stylish.
- Khakis. Yes, but only wear camping or to the beach. I always feel so butch wearing them.
- Knee Boots. You bet! I live in them from October to February.
- Leather Pants. Brown buttery leather. A gift from my very stylish ex-sis-in-law..miss you Daisy!
- Lingerie. Shhhhh!
- Little Black Dress. Black sheath...very Jackie O.
- Little White Dress. Nope. Would I just wear this in summer?
- L.L. Bean Tote. Yuck! I'll pass.
- Luggage. Yes. Black and red...but I've seen plenty of UN-stylish luggage.
- Mad Money. What? If she means a savings account, got it covered.
- Men's White Shirt. Multiples. Love them. But they're from the women's department.
- Mary Janes. I'm not 5 anymore....no!
- Minnetonka Moccasin. So cute, but I don't own any.
- Missoni Knit. Not my favorite. I won't be buying this one.
- Monogrammed Stationery. I've had it before, but not now.
- Motorcycle jacket. Yes, but it's fabric not leather, which softens it a bit.
- Nail Polish. Red on my toes...ALWAYS!
- Old Concert T-Shirt. I really don't like concerts (weird, huh?), so no.
- One-Piece Swimsuit. Yes, white with a mesh insert....subtly sexy.
- Pajamas. My husband buys me flannels every year....I live in them!
- Peacoat. Close enough.
- Pearl Necklace. 2 white, gray, pink, real, or fake....the more the better!
- Pencil Skirt. So Mad Men...wear them to work all the time.
- Perfume. Victoria's Secret Pink is my fav.
- Plain White Tee. An entire shelf full in my closet.
- Polo Shirt. A bit too "I'm Buffy and I'm going to the country club for me"...but cute on others.
- Pucci. No...does this only come in vintage?
- Pushup Bra. Essential for women of a certain age (such as me.)
- Quality Champagne. Veuve Clicquot...the best, but only for special occasions.
- Red Lipstick. More of a burgundy, but close enough.
- Robe. Leopard print!
- Safari Jacket. Yes, but I hate mine. I've been looking for a new one.
- Sandals. Yes.
- Sarong. I feel so stylish in mine. Fashionista ex-sis-in-law Daisy got me into wearing them.
- Signet Ring. Sort of...vintage diamond.
- Silk Scarf. I've got many of Mom's I love wearing them just to smell her perfume around me.
- Slippers. Fuzzy...first thing I grab when I get home at the end of the day.
- Spanx. Yes, my secret is out.
- Statement Necklace. Yes...NYC around my neck.
- Stilettos. Many. My husband says I have Barbie feet.
- Striped Sailor Shirt. I'm not a sailor, and I'm not Gilligan...so no.
- Suit. I work in the banking industry...there is no such thing as casual Friday.
- Sunhat. Yes...don't wear it as often as I should
- Trench. Green, black, leopard print, white...looking for a tan one.
- Turquoise and Coral Jewelry. No. I like coral...not so much turquoise.
- Tuxedo Jacket. No. Not really my style.
- Umbrella. Well, I do live in the Pacific Northwest...so YES!
- Underwear. Seriously? Why is this on the list? Do unstylish women not wear underwear?
- Valid Passport. Yes. Ready for the next trip to Portugal and Spain!
- Vans. What? Again, I'm not a teenage skater girl...no.
- Vintage. Jewelry and an amazing silk dressing gown from the 1930's
- Watch. Yes, but the battery needs replaced.
- Wayfarers. Close enough.
- Wellington Boot. Not name brands, but yes...great for the beach.
- Wide-leg Trousers. Cream and black...two basics.
- Wrap Dress. Yes...needs hemmed.
- Yoga Gear. Don't wear them for yoga, but yes.
- Zippered Hoodie. Only for very casual..I'm not Avril Lavigne, ya know?
So I've got 72...not too bad. Ok, all you ladies...how many do you have...share your lists!
Looks like we need to talk shoes.
Havaianas are a brand of rubber flip flops.
You are too old for Vans, but not for Converse. Converse is pretty intergenerationally accepted/ mainstream now.
Calvin Klein makes adorable high heel black patent or black suede (they had both) Mary Janes that I saw on Rue La La (or maybe it was Endless?) that anyone from me to an 80 yr old could rock. They were classic and had a 3-4 inch heel-- not at all your off-to-my-first-day-of-kindergarten kind of Mary Janes. :)
Posted by: Brianna | February 10, 2010 at 10:26 PM