The Closet Stylist

In The Closet Stylist, (Penguin Books, $40), Anna Caselberg shares her expert advice on how to

• dress to suit your body shape

• mix and match outfits

• choose the most flattering styles

• shop on a budget

• update your wardrobe while incorporating last season’s styles.

from The Closet Stylist – Anna Caselberg

Pg 78

In life there are many different events and situations that require their own set of

wardrobe essentials. From your weekend to a special occasion or holiday, a little bit of

planning will make this a less arduous task.

The weekend wardrobe

One word governs the perfect weekend wardrobe – comfort. Casual separates are the

perfect style solution for days when family and friends, sport and culture, cafés and

restaurants take precedence.

Build your weekend wardrobe basics around the kind of life you live. Casual style revolves around comfortable separates that work together to look low-key but still stylish. Buy good basics you can layer and mix.

Weekend essentials

• Two cotton or fine knit tanks for layering.

• Three modern short-sleeved T-shirt-style tops.

• Two long-sleeved cotton T-shirt tops.

• Two button-down shirts – one fitted in a neutral colour and one a colourful silky style

   or floral print.

• Three fine knits – a cardigan, sweater, polo neck or combination to suit.

• A casual dress or skirt/top combination that you can wear to a social event.

• Two pairs of smart jeans or casual pants.

• A jacket in wool, leather or denim or whatever smart, casual jacket you love to

   wear with all your looks.

• A showerproof trench or coat you can wear with casual pieces or out at night.

• Ankle boots and/or flat knee-high boots.

• Urban sneakers, if you wear them.

• A pair of loafers or ballet flats, or other smart, casual shoes.

Accessories

• A straw hat for summer and a woollen beanie style for winter.

• Sunglasses. These may be a funkier, relaxed version of your classic city glasses, such as

  aviator style or with coloured frames.

• Necklaces or bracelets to layer up on your wrists, and earrings to suit.

• Scarves.

• A casual watch.

• Belts.

• A carryall tote or relaxed handbag.

• Fingerless gloves.

Evenings and events

Invitations to formal events such as weddings or those with a dress code often prompt the

response ‘what will I wear?’. Although it is wise to have a standby outfit for such special

events, an invitation is the perfect reason for something new.

Looking for a formal outfit should be relaxed and not stressful, so allow time to shop. This could be the most beautiful dress you buy for the year, so give it some thought before you begin. Look at the accessories you have already, especially your shoes.

If you own some comfortable dressy heels, find an outfit that will go with them rather

than wearing new shoes and risking sore feet.

Copyright line

Reproduced with permission from The Closet Stylist  by Anna Caselberg. Published by Penguin Group NZ. RRP $40.00. Copyright © Anna Caselberg, 2013.

“Anna knows how to make

real women look stylish.”

– Leonie Barlow, The Style Insider