Cupcakes and Cashmere

Wardrobe Refreshers

April 26th, 2012

One of the best and worst parts of traveling is that you can’t take all of your things with you. It’s tough to know exactly what you’ll want to wear, what the weather will dictate (I must have packed eight summer dresses that I’ve ignored in favor of my rain slicker), and the items that will be the most adaptable. It’s a challenge that I secretly love – and one that reinforces the idea that you only need a few key pieces each season to completely punch up your wardrobe. Here are the three items that are currently at the top of my list.


 1. Silk striped dress.  A classic pattern in a versatile silhouette that’s as well suited for a graduation as it is for a date night. During the day, I’d wear it with a straw hat, loose waves, an armful of bracelets, and neutral sandals. At night, I’d pull back my hair in a low knot, wear a tuxedo jacket, strappy heels, and a sequined clutch.


2. Crisscross sandals. These are plain enough so that you can throw them on with nearly anything, but with enough detailing (I love the toffee-colored leather paired with the pop of pink) to make them special. During the day I’d wear them with jean shorts, a plain t-shirt, and a blazer. At night, they’d be the ideal complement to a ’60s-inspired shift dress with a sleek blowout and a nude lip.

3. Horseshoe necklace. In warmer months, I gravitate towards simple, delicate jewelry that looks good on its own, or layered with other pieces. During the day, I’d wear this with a few longer gold chains, a bright tunic, skinny jeans, and wooden wedges. At night, I’d wear it with a strapless nude-colored dress, a high messy bun, and simple platforms.

Advertisement

  • http://joliejouel.blogspot.com ashleigh @ Jolie Jouel

    I would totally agree. You three essentials are…just that! That horseshoe necklace is so pretty!

    joliejouel.blogspot.com

  • http://petiteandhungry.blogspot.com Petite and Hungry

    very simple and versatile items

    http://www.petiteandhungry.blogspot.com

  • http://www.theoneinpink.com Sarah Smith

    I own that horseshoe necklace in the darker silver/slate color and have received endless compliments on it! I love the gold version!

  • http://hanyzka89.blog.cz Hanyzka89

    I like flat sandals, but only if I can see them. If i wear them, they aren’t really comfortable. But I like the other ones, I look forward the new outfits, which you’ll think up:):)
    ————————————–
    hanyzka89.blog.cz

  • http://www.thepursesnatcher.net Sarah

    I love the flat sandals they are so pretty!

    http://www.thepursesnatcher.net

  • http://thesomethingfabulous.blogspot.com Kate {Something Fabulous}

    That striped dress is gorgeous! Beautiful picks, Emily. x

    Kate {Something Fabulous}
    http://thesomethingfabulous.blogspot.com

    {BESO HANDBAGS GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG!}

  • http://limitless-carolin.blogspot.de/ Carolin
  • http://keepcalmandcarrylipstick.blogspot.com Sarah

    I absolutely love flat sandals. These ones are great!

    http://keepcalmandcarrylipstick.blogspot.com

  • http://. Shaina Crow

    I am a huge fan of this post! Emily, can you do more of these? I have tried to find resources to help with putting outfits together for fresh ideas, it has not been easy! Would love to see more of these :) Hope you’re having a fabulous trip!

  • http://luckyeighte.wordpress.com LuckyEighte

    Still need all 3 of them! Shopping time!

    http://luckyeighte.wordpress.com

  • http://www.evokela.com April

    Love the break down! Check out our post today on how to pick the 5 essential shoes for your wardrobe! Kind of similar! http://bit.ly/IU7LgX

    xo, April

  • http://thelilacdream.blogspot.com Bola

    I agree about the flats and stripped dress, especially for warmer months.

    I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award.

    Bola

  • http://www.aroseandherclothes.com Anna Rose

    Flat sandals are absolutely great! Love them : )

    xx Anna Rose
    http://www.aroseandherclothes.com

  • http://www.eatblogpray.blogspot.com Gina

    I love it! This will be so helpful in the summer.

    http://www.eatblogpray.blogspot.com
    xo

  • http://www.thekinas.com Bettina

    Couldn’t agree more with these three key pieces!

  • http://fiveminutestyle.blogspot.com/ Stacey

    I always struggle when I’m packing I never know what to take!!

    xoxo
    Stacey

  • http://www.thehappeningblog.com The Happening

    Flat sandals are definitely a must for me too – Both Marni and 3.1 Philip Lim have the most amazing flat sandals for this summer/spring! Love this post

  • http://chicmaniapourtoi.blogspot.com/ KETTY

    love the necklace and dress is fantastic :)

    http://chicmaniapourtoi.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.samuel-haick.com/ Samuel

    Really nice selection! :)

    XX.

    Samuel
    http://www.samuel-haick.com/

  • http://www.madforfashionforless.com Berty Morales

    I love all three pieces. The necklace is beautiful and so delicate. Thanks for sharing Emily ;)

  • http://161cm.com Joanne Choi

    Love the delicate necklace too :)

    161cm.com

    <3joanne

  • http://Sohlinthecity.blogspot.com Michelle Sohl

    Love your picks- got my eye on the stripe dress at Jcrew

  • http://fashionblogy.wordpress.com Guadalupe Alonzo

    I wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! You can see the post here: http://fashionblogy.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/versatile-blogger-award/ Congratulations! Here’s the website if you want more info on your award: http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/

  • http://www.dreaming-of-couture.blogspot.com/ Paige and Alise

    I agree that all of those things are such essentials, especially for this spring & summer! xoxo

    http://www.dreaming-of-couture.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/alelasirah Alela Sirah
  • http://allgoodthingstoday.blogspot.com Isabelle

    I agree completely! (Especially with the flat sandles – wedges are cute but can become uncomfortable after some time).

    http://allgoodthingstoday.blogspot.com/

  • http://stephaniehillberry.com Stephanie Hillberry

    My go-to this spring seems to be pinstripe cotton button-up shirts–especially worn with skinny jeans and heels. I just love the breezy-ness of the cotton, the subtle print, and the slightly dressier feel of buttons verses a knit tee.

  • http://slidingdrawersblog.blogspot.com/ ellen.

    Great necklace. I always go for chunky pieces- but I love the thought of a more delicate piece for summer. Something about such a piece feels so personal and memorable. I love it.

    http://slidingdrawersblog.blogspot.com/

  • http://thechroniclesofs.blogspot.com SHF

    I love easy pieces like these in the summer! I’m especially liking tht J. Crew dress – I may need to add it to my ever-growing collection of summer dresses!

    SHF
    thechroniclesofs.blogspot.com

  • http://www.stylish-chatterboxing.com/ tiffany

    Lovely picks, as always. The horizontal stripes can be tricky, but are so lovely.
    p.s. I tried the chocolate chip cookies you suggested and they really are yum!

  • http://skylarinc.blogspot.com/ Sarah

    First of all I love stripes, all sorts of them. The sandles are cute, but unfortunately when I was a teenager I wore a lot of platforms and now even flat sandals like that kill my feet, they are cute though. I’m looking into some Dr. Scholls, never tried them, I wonder if they would help so I can wear stuff like that. At the moment my only options are sneaks and flip flops, which I love, but I’d love a pair of cute sandals. That’s what happens when you wear big chunky shoes too often as a teenager. And, the horseshoe necklace is fabulous!

    Anyway, awesome post, very inspiring.

    Sarah
    http://skylarinc.blogspot.com/

  • http://gandacummings.blogspot.com Aubrey

    You are so right, great picks!

    http://gandacummings.blogspot.com

  • http://excurlythoughts.blogspot.com/ just me

    i’m looking for similar flats right now. wonderful selection :)
    ExCurlyThoughts
    FACEBOOK
    BlogLovin

  • B.

    I love your outfit descriptions, could really imagine wearing all of them. Pretty picks !

  • http://becomingrefined@blogspot.com Jessica @ Becoming Refined

    Love each piece and the styling tips you added along with them.

  • http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/ Mrs C

    Pretty selection, very much your sweet style. I would go with jeans, leather jacket and loads of tee, boots or flats!

    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.thekeypieces.co.uk Lou

    I love this and I always struggle with packing. I love this list.

    Lou
    http://www.thekeypieces.co.uk

  • http://www.packingstylist.com Martha

    I love a simple necklace but you must admit, there is something so fabulous about a big chunky necklace…sometimes, bigger is better ;)

  • Kimberly

    These picks are perfect! I’ll take all three please :)

    Loving that blue striped dress…maybe a sale soon?? A little out of my price range!

  • Violeta Janji
  • http://pooppeepuke.com Shannon

    Oh, I love flat sandals! I just got some lime green ones from Saltwater!
    Shannon
    http://PoopPeePuke.com

  • Ana

    I loved your essentials tips!!!!!!!
    I just posted new looks from Beverly Hills, and Farmer’s market in L.A check it out!
    http://www.thegavlaks.com

  • http://sevenmorroses.blogspot.com Morgan

    Love your blog, you inspire me everyday!
    http://sevenmorroses.blogspot.com/

  • http://dcinstyle.com/blog/ Elena

    Great tips!!! 100% agree with you. I travel a lot and its always a problem how to pack minimum stuff and look beautiful during the trip:)
    http://dcinstyle.com/blog/

  • http://fromcoasttocloset.blogspot.com/ sarah

    Great essentials!

  • http://cargocollective.com/theelectricgirl Rachel
  • http://www.shopenviousgems.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=15&zenid=7cf598ac98ce73d62d47649a10562773 Monica & Me of New York

    I love the challenge of packing lightly when I travel — bringing versatile items is a must!

  • http://www.theaveragegirlsguide.com alyson

    absolutely agree; I just picked up a great striped dress but now could use a great pair of leather flats like these! Wish I had a Madewell nearby in Florida.