Tips for Buying Women's Wardrobe Basics

It's annoying when you're paging through a magazine being told that those odd-looking slouchy, cropped trouser pants can be worn in the office by day with a vest. And later that evening for dinner and drinks, those same pants can be worn with edgy angle boots and a sweater. Those magazine suggestions never seem to do the trick for me.

Yes, there are items in one's closet that can be useful for both in the office and then later on for an evening event or drinks with friends. But those items that we all come to rely on are usually basics. They're usually not the most trendy or glamorous piece of clothing in our closets, but they work - with everything. They fit right, match dressy and casual pieces and we usually feel good in them.

So, here's a list of basic wardrobe items, every woman should have in her closet to avoid the anxiety attack as you're running out of the office on to another event, wondering if what you have on is acceptable or embarrassing.

1. Undergarments: Let's face it, if it's something the rest of the world (or most of it) cannot see, we tend to not place too much importance on it. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, when it comes to undergarments, planning ahead and stocking up on versatile pieces will save you in the end. For starters, it's good to always have a strapless bra in a flesh-colored tone handy. You never know when you'll be wearing a halter, tank or sleeveless-type top. Everyone carries convertible bras today in millions of colors and tons of different price points. So, avoid the horrid bra strap peaking out from a shell or blazer at a conference or dinner event, by keeping one of these always handy.

2. Nylons/Tights: Look, half the population is against nylons and/or tights saying they're old-fashioned, no one wears them anymore, etc. Then, there's the other half of the population that wears them religiously to work everyday. I say, having a pair of sheer, control top nylons handy is a good thing. Why? It's like an instant pants-liner if you're wearing pants that are thin and not lined. The last thing you need are, ahem, lines or crinkles showing through your pants - especially when you're at a conference, work or with clients. On the subject of tights (more opaque than nylons), these seem to be coming back in a big way. People are wearing them with pencil skirts and dresses for fall. I say it's always good to keep a pair of black tights handy (I like Macy's Hue brand) to bring a polished appearance to work dresses and skirts. Plus, it's pragmatic come fall and winter to add warmth to otherwise bare legs.

3. Camisoles: In pinches, I've resorted to sometimes wearing T-shirts that have been worn one too many times under suit jackets, and I always feel disheveled and a slight bit unprofessional next to others who always seem to have the matchey-matchey thing down to a science at work events and then later on for evenings out. Because I have absolutely no desire to spend $30 a pop on a bunch of solid-colored tanks (that never have the starring role in my outfits), I'll buy camisoles on sale at stores like New York & Company where they will sometimes have promos. Their tanks come in just about any color and can be worn under sheer items (for weekends or going out) and under sweaters and blazers (for in the office). The plus side is that these camis have some amount of spandex and can be washed again and again and again with stretching, fading or beginning to look rubbed (the reason why I avoid buying most basics in 100 percent cotton). Some of my camis I've had for years and they're still going strong.

4. Cardigans: Button-down cardigans are lifesavers. They add instant polish to any outfit whether it is for work or for just going out to the store. I say always have a black sweater around in some sort of rayon blend. Look for something that has some amount of stretch, but will be substantial enough to get mileage out of it without it getting overly stretched and worn-in. Solid colors are the most versatile; prints, while fun, can be limiting in terms of what they can be paired with (or whether they are appropriate for work).

5. Black Pants: Ok, black trouser pants are an obvious one. First, off the possibilities are limitless in terms of their potential for work. They can be worn with anything. Second, for outside of work, it's good to have a nice pair of black slacks on hand to dress up a top for going out. It's a good alternative to the wear-jeans-with-everything mentality. Black pants add instant drama to any outfit.

6. Dark Denim Pants: If you are lucky enough to have casual Fridays at the office and denim is allowed, go with dark denim. You still look pulled together and with a slight boot cut, you can wear with nice ankle boots. You can come across as looking professional yet relaxed. (I'm not particularly a fan of those who go all out on casual Fridays showing up in skinny, distressed jeans and then expecting everyone to take them seriously - unless you work at a fashion magazine). And, of course, the options for wearing dark denim outside the office are limitless.

7. White Shirt: No, not those Hanes T-shirts out of the boys section that are dirt cheap at Target. I mean, invest in a good, thick white button down shirt. It's a classic for the office and under any sweater or suit jacket. It's also great for weekends when you don't want to do errands in the same old jeans and T-shirt uniform. You can find this type of shirt at any store, but look for one made with a thick material and some sort of polyester blend. One-hundred percent cotton tends to wrinkle horribly and almost immediately. Three-quarter sleeves look dressy without being overly confining like a long-sleeve shirt.

8. Shift Dress: It's good to invest in a black, shift dress. You'll find it comes in handy for snappy work wear decisions when you're running late in the morning, or it can take you into evening or an after-work (but still work-related) event. In the office, you can pair the dress with a cardigan. For a nice dinner or time out with friends, you can pair it with a fun-looking scarf or statement necklace. And for an office-related event, wear it with a serious-looking blazer.

9. Classic Jewelry: I'm a big fan of fun jewelry - costume jewelry, charm necklaces and anything else I can get my hands on for cheap at stores like Forever 21 or Charlotte Rusee. They provide inexpensive ways to dress up plain clothing. However, I also advocate having that one classic piece of jewelry - a simple necklace or bracelet that you can wear with just about anything. It can be something as simple as a white gold chain necklace, but it instantly adds a little bit of shine to anything from a suit to jeans and a T-shirt.

10. Suit: Suits are boring. They're usually cut all wrong and they're pricey. But, if you take the time to do some shopping, it's good to invest in a suit that fits you well (and makes you feel powerful too) - not only for work, but you'll find it comes in handy for events outside of work too (parent-teacher conferences, wearing the suit jacket with jeans for a pick-me-up, etc.). You are what you wear to a certain extent, and if an occasion calls for that power suit "look," it's nice to have the tools in your closet handy to get the job done. My only tip on upkeep is having your suit separates dry cleaned at the same time, so that they fade (hopefully not a lot over the years) and get worn-in equally.