The snooze button is your best friend and your worst enemy. Now, you have 7 minutes before you’re officially late. What can you put together? What supplies do you have? From an office to a dive bar, you can whip up an appropriate outfit with these 10 staples that are a must-have for every busybody’s closet.
Button up: White or black or pinstripe, the classic work top can be put with so many pieces for a polished outfit. With jeans and some chunky jewelry, you’re ready to rock when doing errands before your lunch date. Paired with a skirt and a blazer, that meeting with the boss is going to be a cakewalk. As long as it’s the right size.
Available on Amazon in all colors with enough stretch so that buttons won’t pull around your chest.
Little black dress: The key to any fashion dilemma. If you don’t have five styles of an LBD, I’m hoping you have at least one. For the sexy, fitted number, a piece of statement jewelry and heels are a perfect date night look. For a looser, slip-dress cut, add a leather or denim jacket, with some flats to your family get together.
Forever 21 has any style you could dream of, in more than just black, starting at $7.
Distressed denim: A bottom you can’t live without. Distressed gives off the “I woke up like dis” vibe like no other. It’s a day-to-night look with a change of shoes, flats to heels, and a new top, sports tee to strappy black tank, so that you’re ready for anything at the drop of a hat.
Lucky Brand has sale styles available starting $55 and up to $140 for new styles in anything from skinny to flare in multiple colors and washes. Check out these on Amazon for only $27.
Sequined or lace top: Jeans’ best friend! A little sparkle goes a long way for a last minute night out or a daytime adventure. You’ll be comfortable and you’ll glow in the light, making you the life of the party.
Joe Fresh has sequined tanks, beaded tees, shimmer details, and lace details can be found on the shirts from $10.
Leather jacket: Looking the part of a bada$$ b!tch is so hot right now. Real or faux, no one will mess with you when you throw this on. It’s a timeless piece that can add a rocker edge to your sneakers and leggings ensemble or it can make any old dress look like a brand new piece from a high end boutique.
Express offers their classic (minus The) Leather Jacket for $98
Scarf: Whether it’s a chunky knit or a lightly patterned infinity, this accessory is for all occasions. They dress up a casual tee very well when rushing out to meet the parents and also add a dimension to your sundress for brunch. Scarves are a good trick to make sure a person looks up at your face, giving you height and length for a taller and more slender appearance.
Aldo has fur, fringe, or linen all for $10 to $30
Pink blouse: Every girl can feel pretty in pink, even when just going to the club for breakfast. Meeting the S.O.’s family? Having a girls day? A splash of pink with skinny jeans is a perfect cute look. Feminine and simple, you will feel put together even though you didn’t put much together at all.
Banana Republic has an awesome sale section with very timeless pieces, even some in silk, that can be splurged on once but will last for years.
Crop sweater: Such a perfect layer. Over that button up you love with the collar popped or over a looser fitting tank for some great proportions, this is a great all day look. If doing a longer loose top under the crop, this is a fun new way to rock leggings. With 3 pieces for onlookers to see, you don’t need to feel self conscious about one since their eyes will move up and down.
American Apparel has styles in multiple textures and colors starting at $21
Black high-waisted pants: Slip these on and you can conquer the world. Dress for going out with that sparkly top in seconds or add an oversized sweater for the perfect day-time-chic look. Wearing a fitted bottom gives you’re the perfect opportunity to get cozy on top.
H&M has simple cuts to button detailing and everything in between starting at $18.
Black turtleneck: A sexy, sleek top that has been climbing up the comeback ladder since the 70’s. Tucked into a high-waisted skirt for a classy office suit or with those black pants to give you all the right curves, you’re bound to turn heads in this simple pullover. Give it a long necklace or a scarf for a fun detail that will make it look different each wear. Add a mask for a perfect costume!
Gap has the classic ribbed turtleneck for $30 & a merino style in a few colors for $20.
Make sure you use your holiday money to buy each of these! H&M or Forever 21 have good prices for basic pieces. Marshalls or TJMaxx have racks on racks on racks of sparkled or graphic tops. Make it a new year’s resolution to always look fresh without splurging on a one-time high-fashion runway piece.
Featured image via Benjamin Suter on Pexels
