Style

Down To Basics

Like I said last week in The Classics, there are just some things a woman’s wardrobe needs. Like a great lipstick, a well-made coat, or a pair of truly fantastic jeans that feel as spectacular as they look.

Something else your wardrobe needs: a handful of go-to outfits that are just so you that you can assemble them blindfolded and be absolutely positive that you’ll both feel and look great all day long. Below are three of my go-to looks that, while not exactly standard-issue – each one includes unexpected elements like leopard, mismatched prints, or a graphic purse – require just about zero thought on my part. All I have to do is figure out which of my various personalities feels like coming out that day (hey, I’m a Gemini…we’re nutty like that), and presto, I’m dressed and out the door in five seconds flat.

Look 1: Classic

Black on black on black may be classic, but it certainly doesn’t have to be boring. The key: keep things spicy with great shapes, interesting textures, and one hell of a pair of ankle boots (bonus points for the red soles!). I mean…damn, those are good boots (and, like all of Geox’s leather shoes, waterproof!). And a beautiful set of pearls is just the cherry on top when you feel like looking chic and perfectly pulled-together.

Look 2: Casual

For running around town in the autumn, an oversized – but not sloppy – grey sweater over jean shorts and tights is an easy, comfortable everyday look. And leopard flats? Oh, fine…if you insist.

I’ve been coveting a pair of leopard driving-type shoes for months now…and this is exactly what I meant when I said last week that Geox‘s F/W 2011 collection takes their specialty – comfortable, breathable shoes – into fabulously fashionable territory. For me, it doesn’t get better than happy, leopard-swaddled feet.

Look 3: Sorta Weird

Sometimes you just don’t want to look like everyone else. And you know what comes in handy for those times? Enormous, furry hats.

Mismatched patterns can be tough and are definitely one of those things that you usually have to mess around with a bit before hitting the right note, but I actually find that animal prints are some of the easiest patterns to work into a mismatched look. Here, I added a vintage rainbow knit cardigan, and pulled together the outfit with accessories that picked up on the neutral tones in the leopard print – a perfectly classic, sexy brown pump and the aforementioned hat – as well as a bright bag that pulled in the green tones in the rainbow knit while adding eye-catching punch to the whole shebang.

Full product info after the jump.

Look 1: H&M tank dress, peacoat c/o Elie Tahari, Urban Outfitters sunglasses, Hanes Silk Reflections Blackout Tights, pearl earrings c/o Mikimoto, vintage pearl necklace, Barney’s Co-Op clutch, Geox Keira ankle boots (see retail info, below).

Look 2: Free People sweater, Gap pom-pom hat (from 2009), DIY-ed cutoff shorts with feather detail, Hanes Silk Reflections Blackout Tights, Marc by Marc Jacobs diaper bag, Guess sunglasses, Geox Flora flats  (see retail info, below).

Look 3: Hat c/o Albertus Swanepoel for Target, H&M maxidress cut into a mini, H&M scarf, Juicy Couture sunglasses, vintage rainbow knit cardigan, Hanes Silk Reflections Blackout Tights, Mid City purse c/o Foley & Corinna, Geox Keira pumps  (see retail info, below).

In all shots: DIY Grandma’s Tablecloth nailpolish.

Geox Stores / East Coast:

Bridgewater (Flora)

Bridgewater Commons

400 Commons Way/ Space 2300

Bridgewater, NJ 08807

(908) 526 – 0582

Roosevelt Field (Flora)

Roosevelt Field Mall.

630 Old Country Road/ Space 2096

Garden City, NY 11530

(516) 747 – 1687

Atlantic City 

Pier Shops at Caesars

1 Atlantic Ocean/ Space 1130

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

(609) 347 – 5096

Garden State (Flora)

Garden State Plaza

1 Garden State Plaza/ Space 11A

Paramus, NJ 07652

(201) 843 – 0153

Lexington (Flora)

Lexington Avenue (btw 58th & 59th Street)

731 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

(212) 308 – 2305

Madison (Keira bootie, Keira pump, Flora)

Madison Avenue (corner of 57th Street)

575 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

(212) 355 – 3029

Union Square (Flora)

Union Square (corner of Broadway and 17th Street)

862 Broadway

New York, NY 10003

(212) 228 – 1449

34th Street (Keira bootie, Keira pump, Flora)

34th Street (btw 5th and 6th Avenue)

29 West 34th Street

New York, NY 10001

(646) 213 – 9020

Natick (Flora)

Natick Mall

1245 Worcester Street/ Space 1048

Natick, MA 01760

(508) 653 – 0457

Jersey Shore Outlet

Jersey Shore Premium Outlets

1 Premium Outlet Blvd/ Space 717

Tinton Falls, NJ 07753

(732) 493 – 2376

Jersey Gardens Outlet

Jersey Gardens Outlet Center

651 Kapkowski Road/ Space 1375

Elizabeth, NJ 07201

(908) 352 – 2629

Palisades Outlet

Palisades Center

1000 Palisades Center Drive/ Space 2750

West Nyack, NY 10994

(845) 348 – 0470

Woodbury Outlet

Woodbury Commons Premium Outlet

684 Bluebird Ct

Central Valley, NY 10917

(845) 928 – 9426

Geox is a sponsor of Ramshackle Glam.

powered by chloédigital