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.

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  • http://www.clydeandnora.blogspot.com Sarah Carlson

    Wonderful staples! Although not as nice as a silk dress, when I’m traveling, I really like a good jersey. Something that won’t wrinkle very easily! These are wonderful items to add to my summer list!

  • http://theslowpace.wordpress.com The slow pace

    Lovely picks! I would add a cream blazer, great for spring nights!

  • http://www.ladyalamode.com Lady à la Mode

    really lovin those sandals!

    xxx
    http://www.ladyalamode.com

  • http://www.offdutychic.com Natalie

    Comfy outfit for travelling too…

    WIN a cute, silver necklace by Sphere of Life at http://www.offdutychic.com

  • http://fashionfoodfeminism.com fashionfoodfeminism

    The necklace is marvelous. I like the flat sandals too, but they might look better with a little wedge heel.

  • http://dallianceswithsuitsandskirts.blogspot.com/ blue roses

    could not agree more; take those accent pieces and incorporate them into a wardrobe of elegant and sophisticated staples, a few blazers, nice denim, some white blouses, and you are good to go.

    http://dallianceswithsuitsandskirts.blogspot.com/

  • http://Www.beautejadore.com Beaute Jadore

    The necklace is awesome!
    http://www.beautejadore.com

  • http://www.themodecollective.com/ High Heels

    I always prefer flats so they are evenly good for me and i wish that one set of each is available for me also

  • http://www.laceandtulle.com Samira

    I love the sandals!!!

  • http://www.ladynine.blogspot.com Angelina

    Love the spring picks and how-to-wear advice! I’ll be sure to include these in my next shopping ventures!
    Angelina
    http://www.ladynine.blogspot.com

  • http://www.winksmilestyle.com Josie

    I saw those sandals at Madewell this week and simply haven’t stopped thinking about them. I love the pop of pink. They’re more than I’d normally spend on comparable flat sandals, but I think they might be worth it… So cute.
    xo Josie
    http://www.winksmilestyle.com

  • http://www.raindropsofsapphire.com Lorna

    You picked some great travel essentials! :) :)

    http://www.raindropsofsapphire.com

  • http://fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com Amy Shaughnessy

    These are great pieces and very great descriptions on how to work them for day and night.

    Amy

    fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com

  • http://www.cupcakesomg.blogspot.com CupcakesOMG!

    i do love the silk striped dress. it’s all “hey guys, i’m a striped dress, so i’m casual and cool, but i’m also made of silk, so don’t EFF with me!”

    CupcakesOMG!

  • http://poorlittleitgirl.com Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl

    Love all of these essentials for the season…couldn’t agree more!!

    xoxo
    Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl

    http://poorlittleitgirl.com

  • http://www.afishcalledvanda.blogspot.com vanda

    Ciao BELLA!!! I am sure everyone was saying this to you in Italy!! I am a STRIPES’ kind a girl so I would go for the No 1 striped dress!!! LOVE IT!
    Bacci Tanti!!! (this is how little I know of Italian…me, a Portuguese girl living in Greece!!!)

  • http://vitaaas.blogspot.com Vita

    The necklace is so pretty :)

    Vita :)

  • http://fashionablecollections.com fashionablecollections

    Love the sandals.

    Collections

  • http://Ourdearestfamily.blogspot.com Elise

    Yes! I have all of the above! I could always use another striped dress though!

    Elise
    ourdearestfamily.blogspot.com

  • http://dwellinginstyle.com Lindsey

    I LOVE those shoes! They are so simple with that cute pop. I think I might need these for the summer!

  • http://www.styleclouds.de Styleclouds

    Great picks! I am a big fan of flat sandals and therefore have quite a few. I like the dress and the necklace! Fantastic idea for an easy look! xo, Christina

    http://www.styleclouds.de

  • http://amandamantes.blogspot.com Manding

    pretty much sounds like the perfect components to a weekend bag. Maybe a leather jacket, a cardigan, and a belt to make it seem like I didn’t just try to pull of the wearing the same dress on Saturday AND Sunday…. hehe.

    ps, http://amandamantes.blogspot.com !

  • http://www.empirestilettos.com Empire Stilettos

    I am in dire need of new criss cross sandals this summer (all of mine are worn out). I love the ones you picked from Madewell and I have also found a ton of great options on Piperlime as well. Great post! xx

    http://www.empirestilettos.com

  • http://www.plumsandpearls.com Plums and Pearls

    I completely agree on the delicate necklace as a must-have for accessories.

    I love that particular horseshoe too!

    xoxo, Plums and Pearls

    http://plumsandpearls.com

  • http://mystyleloft.com MyStyleLoft

    All three of these are on my list too along with a few others <3 Cheers!

    xx,

    http://mystyleloft.com/

  • http://dimitrisalon.blogspot.com dimitri

    The necklace is lovely and i love that striped dress too.

  • http://www.closetcravings.com Closet Cravings
  • http://stylesolutionsnyc.com Sydney

    I love these pieces, especially the Madewell shoes. They’ll pop a white denim, and it would be fun to pick up the pop of pink with other accessories.

  • http://www.thestylishhousewife.com jenn~the stylish housewife

    i can totally envision each outfit as you describe them! LOVE it all!

    xoxo, jenn
    the stylish housewife

  • http://Letstalkchic.com Zorrie

    Love love love the horseshoe necklace!!

    Zorrie
    letstalkchic.com

  • http://sobeanie.blogspot.com/ Justine

    Packing is always so hard! But sometime you make your best outfits when you have so few things to choose from and you need to be super creative! Hope you are enjoying yourself!

    xx
    Justine

    http://www.sobeanie.blogspot.com

  • http://www.spoonyacedia.wordpress.com AnjaPN

    That horseshoes necklace is gorgeous, which I had the money for it right now.

    http://spoonyacedia.wordpress.com

  • http://arefreshedtakeoff.blogspot.com/ Kayla

    I need criss cross sandals. Those Madewell ones have been on my list forever.

    A Refreshed Take Off

  • http://Www.asolosingerinamerica.wordpress.com Björg @asolosingerinamerica

    I’m packing for the summer and it so difficult to select the pieces I want to take with me
    Love the necklace

  • http://myveryownlookbook-sophie.blogspot.com sophie

    love the sandals!
    xoxo

  • http://www.alwaysmaylee.com Always Maylee

    Nothing like a good pair of flat sandals. I have a pair that I love and could probably wear every day!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

  • http://www.indramaticfashion.com Lisa

    I agree with the first two, but in the summer i like brighter chunkier jewelry, i love your instructions for mixing in the pieces though!
    in dramatic fashion

  • http://cakestoclosets.blogspot.com/ aydan

    love these!

  • http://www.hellohellofriday.com/ Hello Friday

    Loving your picks. Love Alex Bittar’s bling. xoxo
    http://www.hellohellofriday.com/

  • http://www.sweetcupcaker.com The Sweet Cupcaker

    great spring time list!! i love stripes so much!

  • http://ladypreppy.blogspot.com/ Lady Preppy

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    (¸.•´ (¸.• I Լ❤ƔЄ the horseshoe necklace! Elegant and fabulous.

    xx Lady Preppy
    http://ladypreppy.blogspot.com/

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  • http://vesuvialdesire.blogspot.co.uk Brittany

    I really love your ideas of how you’d wear each piece. Inspiring

    vesuvialdesire.blogspot.co.uk

  • http://pinkafternoon.blogspot.com/ Shana

    That horseshoe necklace is so gorgeous! I love your 3 pieces.
    BLOG http://pinkafternoon.blogspot.com
    SHOP http://pinkafternoon.bigcartel.com

  • http://Lovelyidea nicole

    I like all your choices!

    Lovely idea

  • http://www.honeyinthesun.com zelina

    great tips. I really enjoyed this. I need a striped dress.

  • http://www.thewrittenrunway.com Ambyr

    I’m a summer dress and flat sandals kind of girl. Love all of your picks. I really need a cool navy/white striped dress.

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

  • http://www.rachelslookbook.com Rachel

    Striped dress is definitely on my spring list as well!

  • http://bintheknow.wordpress.com B. in the Know

    I am all about the stripped dress – just ordred mine from J. Crew two days ago!
    Much love,
    B

  • http://vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com Rachel

    I agree on the stripped dress. That’s an essential. And the horse shoe necklace is beautiful.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

  • http://www.themollybuckley.com molly

    TOTALLY agree on the striped dress. LOVE it.