by SLK

Created on: December 03, 2008

It is easy to become a little proscriptive on this subject but most women will admit that there are several key items that will link your clothes together. So, ignoring ongoing fashion trends and in light of the troubling economic forecast, here is a list of my "must-haves" as defined by their iconic status and comfort, that will see you through any social situation.

This is an ongoing list, a work in progress that can be built upon as time, lifestyle and budgets change. With this in mind, it can be all too easy to fixate on various items as if they will somehow complete your life, of course they will not, they cannot, simply use this guide to cross-reference your own wardrobe and check for any glaring omissions. I cannot promise that your life will be a never-ending parade of fun afterwards but it will at least help you decide what to wear for comfort, style and confidence.

This list is arranged in terms of expense, there are those items worthy of your pay-check, followed by more disposable but no less central items that can be picked up on a routine basis.

No scrimping on the following items:

1)
Impeccably-cut pants. These can be bought from anywhere ranging from Armani through to more affordable retail outlets such as J. Crew or Banana Republic. Well-cut pants are always stylish and will simply never let you down. They are both appropriate for work and also look great with a detailed top for an evening look.

Style-wise go for anything as long as it is flattering on you:

Wide-legged editor' pants are popular at the moment and very flattering on everyone. However if you are under 5ft 3 inches I suggest keeping the width of the trousers on the modest size or risk looking a little over-whelmed.

If you can pull off the lean, straight-legged pants currently on the D&G runways, do, because they are hot, especially with heels. IF you yearn for a pair but fear that your legs cannot quite pull them off pair them with heels instantly flattering.

If in doubt, well cut, boot-cut pants in a good fabric are literally friends with everyone.

2)
Jeans. As with the two items above, just buy a decent pair that fit YOU. This does not necessarily mean spending $200.
Whilst you can buy flattering jeans at a good price, there is no time shortcut with denim, if you want the most flattering pair you simply have to try hundreds upon hundreds of pairs on. Painful though it may seem, it often pays to enlist the opinion of the shop assistants, as they will honestly tell you if you have the legs

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