Staples in 3s

(This will be regular installment, done in 3s.)

The journey to glamour is a long one and the best way to consolidate a classic closet is to build it slowly. Step but step, piece by piece. One huge shopping spree, while every girls childhood dream, is not very pragmatic in the reccessed, reccesive, reccesing global economy. Rather, a more sensible way (but not quite so head rushing) is taking out a few pennies from the piggy bank at the end of each month to treat yourself to something classic and lasting. There are some truly basic and relatively inexpensive but tres chic articles that I have found indispensible to my wardrobe.

1. The black polo neck top - in good quality wool, long or short sleeved. Popularised by Jackie O, and Audrey Hepburn, this is one item of clothing that brings it all together, effortlessnessly. Paired with cropped skinny pants in black or khaki (and heels or flats), its the easiest elegance you can achieve. A set of one strand pearls worn over the top turns the whole fit into an unfussy but very elegant evening ensemble...or even a bolder loud coloured chunky clay necklace to match sexy heels can give it that extra umph if you're a fast car, red nails kinda gal. A white poloneck top doesn't achieve quite the same instant elegance for some reason, but has it's own charm when paired with dark pants and a dark coat or blazer.

2. Cropped black pants - in a cotton and lycra mix. This look has been revisited and recycled in many ways over the years. Most recently, Madame Airforce One herself, Michelle Obeezy has taken quite liking to this steezy, but again its nothing new, cropped pants were a fashion favourite of old hollywood. The cropped pant is a smart alternative to denim for a more casual look, and for most shapes, a flattering alternative to the regular wide legged black slacks or those monstrous polyester boot cut hipsters that were so popular in the late 90s and early 2000s. I cringe at the memory! Team cropped black pants with just about anything for a smart or casual feel. My favourite accompaniments are black cropped pants with:

- a silk or chiffon neck tie blouse and ballet flats,
- a black poloneck with camel or black heels,
- a graphic tee with plimsoles, a starched white shirt with drop earrings and a simple updo,
- and easy pastel coloured camisole and ballet flats or platfform heels.
- a grey or tan (or any colour for that matter) cable sweater and deck shoes

Notez bien, Santa, I also fancy me some cropped pants in khaki, navy blue, and a dull over-washed look red. Yes, please drop those into the imaginary shopping cart!

3. The black shift dress. (I'll be writing about the wonderfully magical powers of the shift dress in general on Chichi's closet, often alongside the deep and unsolved mysteries of the pearl earring. And I assure you, there is reason for my obsession with both.) It is a truly timeless silhouette. This is what it looks like: "A shift dress is a simple, short, above-the-knee dress. The bust is fitted with darts, and the skirt is either cut straight or with a narrow A-line. The dress doesn't provide any definition to the waist, and the neckline is usually a fairly high scoop neck or boatneck. A shift dress is typically sleeveless, although short-sleeve and long-sleeve versions are also popular. A shift dress can be created in a variety of styles." The straightness of the dress fits tightly at the hips but loosely at the waist, so it is commonly worn with a belt to provide waist definition. It is one of those dresses that is flattering for every shape, depending on how its worn. I have seen and love a black cotton sleeveless version in the summer accessorised by a bright plum coloured belt that sinch-in the waist, with a matching plum clutch and magenta peeptoe heels; or a short sleeved version paired with a red or camel coloured coat and black woolen tights to wear in winter with a pair or knee high tan coloured boots. You can glam it up in the evening by wearing a mohair white cardigan, some micro hoop earrings and a pair of sexy black heels, hair slicked back into a simple ponytail- a look that says 'Sexy? Me? Always Dahhhhling.'

The best kind of wardrobe isn't filled with trendy items that will be out of season within months, but with timeless pieces, quality pieces. Its entirely possible to buy ayy of te above without neccesarily scrimping and saving your already stretched salary, or taking out a loan from Bank of Mum and Dad (although we do like these when they are interest free). Build, step by step, piece by piece. Investing in key pieces at slow pace is taking the leisurely road to destination glam-moi!