Duo combo

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Levi’s

Mid waist, boot cut, dark rinse, classic label… these Levi’s 460 have all the necessary qualities to ensure they will get worn and worn and worn. They are available at Just Jeans Online for $119.95 to size 16. Next time I find myself at Just Jeans I might just have to try these on.

Marie Claire

From Marie Claire a list of 10 wardrobe essentials for shopping on a budget…

1. A flat-front, bootleg-cut pant in dressy khaki, dark denim or classic black

2. A man’s classic white shirt

3. A sheath dress (cut A-line if you are bottom-heavy)

4. A cashmere twinset in your favorite colors

5. A skirt that flatters your figure (straight if you are petite or top-heavy; A-line if you are heavier around the hips/thighs; bias if you have a boyish figure)

6. A classic pump

7. One great bag — a casual tote or structured top-handle bag

8. Denim jacket

9. Fresh new T-shirts in black and white

10. Gold hoop earrings

I use these lists from various sources (tagged “What’s essential?”) to build the other categories in this blog and find great pieces from Aussie stores that would work in anyone’s wardrobe. Right now I’m off to find that “one great bag”.

Biscote suiting

This three piece suit from Biscote proves that you don’t have to pay a fortune to look good. Total cost for these three pieces is $80. Depending on availability you could put together a suit in black or grey in style variations to size 16. There are different jacket, skirt and pant styles and lengths to suit various body shapes. There are even some pinstripe options. If you find yourself needing a suit for an interview or new job or just want to incorporate a suit into your wardrobe for the first time and have a limited budget I would recommend trying what Biscote have on offer. The company also has a very reasonable returns policy - the link is at the bottom of the page. You would be hard pressed to find a suit for less in the stores.

I have chosen to show the longer length jacket as it can be worn by everyone and is a great length to disguise wider hips, thighs and buttocks. The pants are boot leg, again to balance out wider hips and thighs and the skirt at this length is great to hide knees.

Wranglers

For those who love wearing Wranglers these are from the Women at Wrangler, available online (and probably instore) at Mavericks for $115.50. They meet the criteria of dark rinse, mid rise, boot cut. They are Aura stretch jeans in black and are available in a regular rise which is the medium rise in the Aura range. Sizes 2 to 16 with a tall leg length of 34 inches.

These could be as dressed up or a casual as you like. Wear with boots or heels. Team up with a classic t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, trench coat or blazer. I so need a pair of these!

Coffee?

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The challenge this week was to put together an outfit on a budget…

Eco bag from estringbags $2.75

Bracelet from Glamorize Me $12.95

Necklace from Glamorize Me $19.95

Bonds T-shirt from TSL $16

Cardigan from Valley Girl $14.95

Stretch bootcut jeans from Jeans West $65 or 2 for $99

Black ballet flats from Shoe Show $30

Total outfit $162

Finding jeans

I love Susan Wagner’s blogs…she has great style advice, so on the topic of jeans I trust her on the recommendation of dark rinse, mid rise, boot cut style. Dark rinse are more versatile, they go from casual to dressed up with ease and work like black pants to create a neutral, slimming bottom half to your look. The boot cut balances wider hips and the mid rise just avoids the whole low waist (read: muffin top) vs high waist trouble (Kath & Kim come to mind).

Here are some links to her blog posts about jeans that you might like to read:

- What’s in My closet, right now: My Ten Basics list

- Take care of your jeans and they will take care of you

- It’s the 80s all over again, unfortunately

Kahlon Trench

As the trench coat seems to be on all the experts’ lists for essential wardrobe items and as the weather turns cooler I’ve gone in search of the best I can find online. This one I found on the Kahlon website. It gets the thumbs up for being available in both parchment (pictured) and black, retails for $159.95 and is available in sizes 8 to 14. It is also NOT double breasted…

Chata Romano’s “Change your image, Change your life” suggests avoiding double breasted garments as they can give an illusion of width for women with wide shoulders, short arms, full bust, no waistline, shaped waistline, full stomach, wide hips, full calves and ankles, thin calves and ankles or full knees. With that list I don’t know a single living female who would apparently look good in a double breasted coat.

for Professionals

Helen Robinett, an Australian image consultant has put together the 10 essential wardrobe items for professional women. Here is her list:

1. STUNNING black dress at your best knee length, although this may be above, below or on the knee depending on your proportions.

2. PASHMINA wrap.

3. SMART white shirt.

4. WHITE scoop or V-neck T-shirt or knit.

5. THREE-quarter length trench coat.

6. SOFT knit skirt that flatters your best calf length.

7. STRAPPY evening shoes.

8. SMART three-piece suit consisting of a skirt, pant and jacket in a dark neutral colour.

9. EARRINGS that work with everything – either gold or silver, appropriately scaled and shaped to suit your structure. Jewellery such as earrings may also pick up on colours in your eyes – for example, blue eyes would suit blue crystals or stones.

10. QUALITY leather handbag in a neutral colour that serves your colour direction. This may be chocolate, camel or burgundy.

Simply Stunning

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