Nina Garcia's Rule 2 - What every Style Icon has in her Closet.

In The Basics Rules of Style - from Nina Garcia - Rule 1 I introduced Nina Garcia's book The Little Black Book of Style.  

In The Little Black Book of Style she shares the  the 6 basic rules that every style icon already knows: 

1.  How to edit

2.  Invest in the bones

Bones?   The bones are the essential staples that go with almost everything, never go out of style, and are "enduringly chic".  These are the basics, and with the right accessories, an outfit can be built around. These items can go from day to night, and are the basics for your travel wardrobe.  

The "bones"are the items you splurge on. You want the quality of and the garment to be evident. When you build your wardrobe around the bones, it makes the getting dressed so much simpler. With the right bones, you never have to be concerned if your outfit is in style, because you have built your wardrobe around timeless styles.  

1.  The Little Black Dress

Coco Chanel is credited with bringing the LBD into the forefront of fashion.  I posted Chanel and Brief History of the LBD early in 2014.  The right LBD is the perfect way to look effortlessly sophisticated.  The LBD does not detract from all of your best features, it enhances them.  Sandra Bullock, wearing minimal accessories is simply amazing in a LBD.

2.  A Classic Men's White Shirt. 

A simple white men's dress shirt is versatile and can be paired with jeans, pants of any color, or a skirt.   Fashion designer icon Carolina Herrara embodies the "crisp simplicity" of the classic white men's shirt.   The classic men's white shirt is a blank canvas, and all that you need to add is the right accessories.

3.  Cashmere Cardigan.

Simple let classic. It can be worn over anything, perfect for office or a chilly restaurant.  Don't be afraid of color when choosing one.  

This is not the complete list of the essential items that every style icon needs to have.  The list will continue...



Photo Credits:
Nina Garcia:  www.washingtonpost.com
Little Black Dress:  www.uniqlo.com/ukstylebistro.com
Classic White Men's Shirt:  classiq.me
Cashmere Cardigan:  us.purecollection.com/

Zac Posen Black Gown

I love this gown from the Zac Posen Fall Winter 2014 2014 Ready to Wear collection. 

Fitted at the bodice, with flairs at the hips, with a mermaid style cut. 

The cut is shapely, and the material is a shimmery, almost liquid black satin. 

I don't know if I would call it a LBD, but it is most certainly a gorgeous black gown.

Zac Posen's first runway way show was in 2002.  Born in 1980, this designer created a buzz around the fashion world. 

The designs price points vary from collections sold at Saks Fifth Avenue to Target.

Chanel and a Brief History of the LBD

In 1926 Coco Chanel revolutionized the fashion world by publishing a simple black dress in American Vogue.

Vogue declared that the little black dress would become "a sort of uniform for women of taste".

 During the Victorian and Edwardian age black was reserved for women in mourning. The little black dress must have been considered scandalous.  But it was the "Roaring 20's" after all, and it was a time when women were breaking free from social and fashion conventions.

Chanel's LBD has proven to be timelessly elegant.  

Through out the 20th century the LBD has been the dress of choice for women of taste. 

Even in the 21st century, the Chanel LBD is still a classic.

Love this Little Black Dress

One of my favorite topics is the timeless and elegant LBD.  I found this on Pinterest and I had to share.  I love the shear shoulders and the form fitting cut.  A splash of red lipstick is the only accessory required. This dress is classy and sexy.  Now where can I buy it? 

Found on LBD - http://pinterest.com/pin/133841420150277545/

Timeless LBD

Another example of one of my favorite topics, the Little Black Dress.  A LBD is timeless garment. This creation is from Chanel 1978. 

BBC article on LBD

I suppose I am not the only person who loves the timeless fashion staple which is the little black dress.  Below is a link to an article from the BBC with a historical perspective on the LBD.  The slideshow includes a nod to my favorite fashion pioneer Coco Chanel.  I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did.

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20131209-the-dress-thats-always-in-style

One more LBD that I Iove!

I ran across this LBD (little black dress) on Pinterest, and I thought was a great illustration of the timelessness of a classic LBD.

This is a silk chiffon dress from the 1950's.  It was organically sold at Saks Fifth Avenue.

I simply adore the lovely feminine detailing.  

This dress was available through Hemlock Vintage Clothing, and sadly, has been sold.
http://www.hemlockvintage.com/feed/50s021109.html