Well actually this is ten wardrobe basics that Lady Smaggle can’t live with out. I’ve had a few readers email to ask me what ‘basics’ I have built my wardrobe around. Here are the main basics that form the back bone of my wardrobe…

Black – I get that ‘black’ isn’t actually an item but it’s a big, big player in the land of Smaggle. Maybe there’s a little emo trapped inside me. I have black tops, black skirts, black pants, black shoes, black scarves, black earrings, black bags. It’s ridiculous. I only have one weird phobia when it comes to black. I hate primary brights worn with black, it’s far too 80′s for me. I prefer to wear black and white, head to toe black or I like to mix my blacks with patterns and muted shades. I can handle black and red as well.

Scarves – I’m a bit addicted to fringed ones at the moment but I’m not discriminatory when it comes to this versatile accoutrement. I wear them in my hair, around my neck, around my waist, tied to my bag. And I rarely leave a thrift store without buying one. And I rarely leave a girlfriends house without accidentally stealing one. 

Boots – Only ankle or knee high. I could never pull off calf length because I used to dance a lot when I was little so I have these massive Sherpa calves. Boots just seem to effortlessly dress up an outfit. Plus they are a great way to look presentable in winter when it’s far too cold for strappy heels. 

Bangles – I generally wear some kind of bangle everyday. I just don’t feel comfortable if I’m not jangling a little when I walk. But the second I get home (and by home I mean my house, Mr Smaggle’s house, a friends house or a rehearsal) I generally take the lot off and leave a little trail of my jewels through out my location. It’s a bit of a trademark of mine. Like a calling card. (This isn’t my entire collection because I know I have a stack of bangles on my desk at work and also in the boot of my car. And I probably have stacks scattered from one end of Canberra to the other…)

 Maxi dresses and skirts – I’m really, really tall so these babies elongate the hell out of me and make me look even taller and more stretched out. Plus I can go for WEEKS and not shave my legs and no one notices. I’m also a loungy type of person and I like to lie on the floor, roll around in grass and sit cross legged and maxi skirts are great because you just bunch them up or spread them out and they keep covered what should be covered. They are also super comfortable. Especially if you’re having a piggy day.

Wedge shoes – I’m not good at spindly little heels. I need some sturdy support underneath my feet because I tend to fall over a lot more than the average person. Even though I am quite tall I like to have a little extra height because it makes my legs look longer. Also Mr Smaggle is a (skinny) giant and it puts me at eye level with him.

Tights – Love em. Can’t get enough. Every colour of the rainbow and every pattern imaginable. It’s winter for about 7 months of the year here and it’s the easiest way to keep my wardrobe looking fresh – I just update my tights! 

Cardigans – I love to layer.

   

Belts and obis – Just really complete an outfit. I like belts that match my shoes and bag. There is something so quaint about it. I love to match the colour of my accessories and by wearing belts you can get your feature colour around the middle of your body. Say if you wear a red necklace and red shoes the featured colour is all around the edges. You need the belt in the middle to tie it all together… so to speak.

Tiny details – Okay I know this isn’t a basic but it’s something that I do wear nearly everyday. I wear something like a tiny little hippo brooch, a flash of a green slip, tiny pearl earrings, rings that spell L.A.D.Y, chopsticks in my hair. I’m just so uber quirky aren’t I?

What are your basics? What do you wear nearly everyday? I define basics as something that you own a large quantity of in different colours and styles. Do you wear cowboy boots all the time? Do you have a huge collection of baby doll dresses? White ribbed singlets? Headbands? I’d love to hear about the basics that you build your wardrobe around!

Love Lady Smaggle

xxx