Wardrobe Essentials that Won't Break the Bank - Part 1: Clothing
“I have NOTHING to wear” I pout, as even my dog rolls his eyes (I swear that happened). The worst part is the guilt that overcomes me as soon as those words leave my mouth. This is literally an impossibility, I quickly realize as I stand in front of overflowing drawers and a closet packed so tight I can barely sort through it.After some conditioning and self-restraint, I got out of the habit of impulse buying and overspending on super trendy pieces and into the habit of “conscious shopping.” I realized that the key to having a wardrobe you love is having one with timeless pieces that are easy to coordinate.There are a lot of “must haves” for the year, season and month that it becomes overwhelming and impossible to keep up with. Trendsetters with fashion FOMO end up overspending on underutilized apparel. When you can let go of having to own a piece of EVERY trend, I promise you the light at the end of the tunnel is a more organized and always fashionably coordinated YOU. I have created a very short list of my top 12 wardrobe essentials that will take you beyond the fashion crazes and will save you in those times when you need to look fabulous on short notice.This is Part One of a three-part series - this week we’re focusing on four clothing essentials:
Little Black Dress – I will admit I have more black dresses than one girl needs, but I have also owned some of these dresses for YEARS and STILL get good wear out of them. If you’re on a budget, stick with simple and classy – laser cuts and lace might not stand the test of time. A good LBD never goes out of style and can take you from work to a semi-formal event by just swapping your accessories. LBDs are everywhere, every season, so your favorite store is likely to have one in stock. Zara “Tube Dress with Tie-Up Neckline” - Pictured ($89.90), Club Monaco “Lysa Sheath Dress” ($249) 
Dark Denim – In whatever cut flatters your body most, dark denim is good for any non-formal occasion from casual Fridays at the office to a night out. If you’re on a tight budget check out Joe Fresh’s selection of denim. They look good, fit great, wash well and come in a variety of cuts. Joe Fresh “Ultra Slim Mid-Rise Jean” – Pictured ($34) Black pants – I like a good cigar pant or ankle pant - a slim cut that doesn’t 
reach past the ankles goes great with flats, heels and booties and are always the perfect hem length. Look for a fabric with some wool in it – these tend to keep their shape and colour best. For a super structured and durable pant, look for something with some polyester. These will wash well and stay a good shade of black longer. Club Monaco “Ranay” Textured Crop Pant - Pictured ($149.50), J. Crew “Paley” Pant ($182 - $208), Joe Fresh “Slim Fit Pant” ($39) Black Turtleneck – almost everything coordinates with a black turtleneck and I don’t know anyone that doesn’t look great in one. I suggest cashmere or merino wool to keep it luxe, light and appropriate for most of the year. You might have a hard time finding one this time of the year, but when its mid-summer and fall lines start to hit shelves, check out J. Crew, Club Monaco and The Gap.Stay tuned next week for Part Two, essential shoes for your wardrobe.MeVest Blog Contributor, Tracy Fu from preshrunk.ca