Fashion Advice

Wardrobe staples need not be boring. [luckymag.com]

I am 19-years-old [and] I want to know some essentials that I should have in my closet. When ever I google this question I get the "7 Essentials for Women" which normally include good jeans, a little black dress, and khaki slacks. I want more than that! So my questions are: Do these "basic essentials" apply to my age group? And if so, how can I spice them up? —Sammy

Pinning down seven wardrobe essentials for any age group is a tricky question as so much depends on your body type, fashion persona and lifestyle...but they can lay the foundation for a polished wardrobe AND help you stick to your budget. Here are some common must-haves that I think definitely work well for your age group...with my own little twist (khakis not included!):

A little while back, I featured a polka-dot shift dress from Target, styled in three different ways (click here to check it out). With fall quickly approaching (sad, I know), I decided to show how this same short-sleeved frock could be styled in three additional ways that are suitable for cooler weather. It's a good way to stretch a buck. Let me know what you think...

1. TOP Cowlneck shirt, Mossimo Target, $10. SHOES Brown leather riding boots, Aerosoles, $90-ish. BELT Brown faux-leather, Forever 21, $13.50. BRACELETS (featured in all three looks) Gilded rubber bangles, Urban Outfitters, $5. BLACK TIGHTS.


2. CARDIGAN, Dream Society via Regent's Secret, $25. SHOES Black leather peep-toe wedges, Aldo, $40. PURSE , Simply Vera Vera Wang, Oprah show freebie. NECKLACE Rhinestone drop pendant, Forever 21, $4.80.


3. BLAZER, United Colors of Benetton. SHOES Black leather peep-toe Mary Janes, Aerosoles, $19.99. SCARF H&M, $9.80. LEGGINGS Twelve by Twelve, $18.

Cleaning diamonds doesn't exactly sound like a budget fashion topic, but taking care of the things that matter most is certainly important for the budget-conscious fashionista. In other words, we may not have a lot of them, but when we do get our hands on a diamond, we want to make sure she shines and looks her best at all times. Which is why I rely on domestic goddess Martha Stewart when cleaning my diamond stud earrings--her trusted method provides a simple, cost-effective way to keep that ice gleaming. Here's how Martha says you should clean your diamond jewelry:

"A cold-water soak is an effective method to clean diamonds. Use six parts cold water to one part household ammonia, soak for 30 minutes, and drain on paper."

How do you care for your diamond jewelry?

Free People is known for their young, eclectic, nouveau-bohemian vibe.
The same folks who bring us edgy looks from Urban Outfitters and ladylike looks from Anthropologie also bring us the gypsy-chic looks that are Free People clothing. Like Urban and Anthro, Free People delivers gloriously creative catalogs that whisk you away to distant lands and dreamy landscapes that are at once seductive, evocative and altogether too fashionable for any mere mortal to actually live out in real life. Sure, a girl can dream, but more often than not, I think their clever marketing is meant to make you cough up huge sums of cash for flimsy, fleeting clothing.

So where am I going with all this? Free People is amazing to admire, but not necessarily to buy unless it's on sale. Most of their stuff has some kind of detailing, such as lace, crochet, fringe or beading, that makes the piece unique, but tough to care for. And each item is so recognizable, it's hard to wear the same pieces over and over without getting noticed, if you know what I mean. My verdict: Free People is a "Yea" for imaginative styling, uber coolness and originality, but a big "Nay" for ridiculous pricing and overall value. Kinda ironic that this costly brand which relies so heavily on it's image is called "Free People," huh?

What do you think about Free People?

Emmy Rossum, Liv Tyler and Lauren Conrad all love their black ballet flats.
Solid black ballet flats are everywhere, on everyone, and have been for a while now. They're a classic style that matches almost everything and can morph to suit your personal style, from downtown chic to impish gamine and beyond. Yet while this simple black flat seems innocuous enough, I've discovered that many fashionable gals have very bitter feelings towards it.

Personally, it's been a love/hate relationship. For years, I avoided this shoe like the plague. I thought it was too delicate, too flat, too much like a slipper. Then, slowly but surely, the look started to grow on me more and more, until I finally caved, and bought the most adorable, buttery leather black flats from--of all places--the Gap, for $40 (just last week, so they might still be in stores.)

Here's the thing: The right style can make your ankles look graceful, your legs longer and your feet smaller. The wrong style, however, can make your feet look like saucers, and your body look squat and schlumpy. Cheap versions of this shoe can also kill your feet, causing blisters and pain from lack of arch support. My recommendation is to buy the best quality flat you can afford, as they will actually serve their function by providing a stylish slip-on that's comfortable to wear.

Is the black ballet flat an essential part of your wardrobe?