Boots…
For the non-sandal months, there are really only two choices
in shoes: boots and ballet flats. Boots
really deserve an entire entry (or blog). For now let’s just say you need an extremely wide
variety of heights, textures, styles, formalities, and heels. When it comes to color, nearly any shade of
brown or black is acceptable. Take a
lesson from me that purple boots, while totally adorable, will be relegated to
walking the dog. Oh, the lovely outfits, completed by my purple
suede peter pan boots, that only the doormen on my block have been lucky enough
to witness.
… and Ballet Flats
Ballet flats, what can I say? You can pretty much buy them
in whatever color and texture you want.
Because you will always choose to wear boots instead.
Cardigans
Do you have a closetful of sleeveless dresses but a calendar
of sleeveful events? Purchase a brightly colored cardigan to extend the
usefulness of the dresses you already own.
Thrifty, huh? Only marginally less so when you buy six of them, all in
varying red and purple tones.
Novelty Items
Buy them! Buy them all! You will never get tired of a skirt
with a Monet style landscape painted on it.
It’s like a classic men’s suit; You can wear it every day and no one will
even notice! Ditto for the eyelet ombre skirt in shades varying from extremely
loud yellow to very angry orange.
Bags
A nice, classic, well-made bag is a must-have, that
finishing touch that completes any outfit.
Invest in one. Or 17. Change your bag pretty much every day to
match that day’s ensemble. In theory
this approach ensures that you carry only true necessities with you, as you are
constantly reassessing the contents of each bag as you transfer them from one
bag to the next. In reality you are more
likely than not leaving a lipstick behind in each bag. But as lipsticks are made only to be purchased
and not applied (a personal philosophy of mine), leaving one behind in an
orange suede bag, because today’s outfit calls for a brown fringed one, will
have little impact.
